QU president stresses role of scientific research in development during Ramadan Book Fair

HE President of Qatar University (QU) Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham affirmed the role of scientific research in the country's development process.This came during Ramadan Majlis, an event organized by the Ministry of Culture as part of Ramadan Book Fair's activities at Darb Al-Saai headquarters in Umm Salal, which will last until April 5.The event was held in the presence of HE Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, a number of officials at the Ministry of Culture and a group of thinkers and intellectuals.Dr. Hassan Al Derham spoke about his scientific career, which began with a scholarship to study architecture in the United States, and after the study, he joined Qatar University as a teaching assistant. He obtains a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Construction Project Management from University of Glamorgan (currently University of South Wales), UK.HE underlined the keenness of the administration of the QU's College of Engineering to attract Qatari students in engineering disciplines, especially architecture, adding that he worked in teaching, and then became the head of civil engineering department in 2003, passing through several positions until he assumed the position of President of Qatar University on June 15, 2015.QU President also talked about the history of universities globally, as they have always been a place for knowledge, and play their role in spreading knowledge and science and transmitting them to generations, in addition to their role in constantly developing science, stressing the importance of universities' role in their cultural and social environment, HE affirmed that since its establishment, Qatar University has been an incubator for generations who develop our country.Dr. Al Derham said that the vision of establishing Qatar University was from the beginning related to scientific research, so research centers in applied and social sciences and others were established, and the best professors in various disciplines were attracted, indicating that QU was interested in promoting scientific research in order to be linked to community issues. HE pointed out that the establishment of the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) played an important role in enhancing the culture of scientific research, as it was an opportunity for the university to re-establish its centers and direct researchers towards researches that are concerned with the challenges facing the State of Qatar and contribute to its development.He added that the university has set a plan that is in line with the State's vision and has grown in various fields, as it now has 16 research centers, most of which are independent and some of which belong to colleges, but they are all linked to the State's research plan. He also noted that QU's strategic plan has moved from mere teaching to the development stage and then to the innovation stage, referring to the establishment of QU Holding Company, which is a platform for researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to develop the ideas and skills of entrepreneurs among students based on scientific research.He confirmed that the university's development and its attainment of advanced positions in international rankings and institutional accreditation was the result of the unlimited support of the wise leadership, pointing out that there are academic plans at the university, including the establishment of a college for mathematical sciences, the transformation of the media department in the college into an independent college, and the establishment of a college of architecture, design, and others. These plans will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval in due course.The event witnessed an interaction from the attendees and participants, the most prominent of which was the intervention of HE Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, who said that the Ramadan Book Fair is an important contribution to cultural life, with its important activities, especially the Ramadan Majlis, which reviews the development process in various fields in our country with lecturers who were part of this process.Dr. Al Kuwari also appreciated Qatar University's cultural and scientific role in the society, as it contributes to advancing the cultural movement, and its initiative to establish QU Press in this regard.For his part, Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali Al Maadeed called for strengthening cooperation between the Ministry and Qatar University in promoting volunteer work, which was welcomed by QU President, pointing out that the university is working to spread the culture of volunteer work and the practice of volunteer work as well.Ramadan Book Fair is being held from March 30 to April 5, 2023, at Darb Al-Saai headquarters in Umm Salal, with the participation of 79 local, Arab and international publishing houses. It is accompanied by many cultural events.