Qatar University (QU) president Dr Hassan bin Rashid al-Derham has emphasised the role of scientific research in the country’s development process during the Ramadan Majlis organised by the Ministry of Culture as part of Ramadan Book Fair’s activities.
The Ramadan Book Fair is taking place at the Ministry of Culture’s Darb Al Saai headquarters in Umm Salal until April 5, with the participation of 79 local, Arab and international publishing houses.
The event was held in the presence of HE the Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari, a number of officials from the Ministry of Culture, and a group of scholars and intellectuals.
Dr al-Derham spoke about his scientific career, which began with a scholarship to study architecture in the US, following which he joined the QU as a teaching assistant.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech, US and a PhD in Construction Project Management from the University of Glamorgan (now University of South Wales), UK.
Dr al-Derham underlined the keenness of the QU’s College of Engineering to attract Qataris in engineering disciplines, especially architecture.
He said that he worked as a teacher before becoming the head of the Civil Engineering Department in 2003, holding various several positions after that before assuming the position of QU president on June 15, 2015.
He also spoke about the history of universities globally, highlighting that they have always been a place for knowledge, and that they play their role in spreading knowledge and science and transmitting them to generations, in addition to constantly developing science.
Dr al-Derham also mentioned the importance of universities’ role in their cultural and social environment.
He said that since its establishment, Qatar University has been an incubator for generations who develop our country.
Dr al-Derham 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 centres and direct experts towards research that is concerned with the challenges facing Qatar and contribute to its development.
He added that the university has a plan that is in line with the Qatar government’s vision.
Qatar University now boasts of 16 research centres, most of which are independent and some of which belong to colleges, but they are all linked to the Qatar government’s vision.
Dr al-Derham also noted that the QU’s strategic plan has moved from mere teaching to the development stage, and then to the innovation stage.
He referred to the establishment of the 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 said that the university’s development and its achievement of advanced positions in international rankings and institutional accreditation were the result of the support of the wise leadership.
Dr al-Derham mentioned that there are plans at the university for 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, including that of HE the Minister of State Dr al-Kawari.
The minister said that the Ramadan Book Fair is an important contribution to cultural life, with its activities, especially the Ramadan Majlis, which reviews the development process in various fields in our country with lecturers who were part of this process.
HE Dr al-Kawari also appreciated Qatar University’s cultural and scientific role in society, contributing to advancing the cultural movement, and its initiative to establish QU Press.
The assistant undersecretary for cultural affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Dr Ghanem bin Mubarak al-Ali al-Maadeed called for strengthening co-operation between the ministry and Qatar University in promoting volunteer work, which was welcomed by Dr al-Derham.
Dr Hassan bin Rashid al-Derham
