Symposium discusses major topics of science, engineering, medicine

Exploring avenues and opportunities of knowledge sharing and collaboration in various fields of science and technology, the 9th edition of Arab American Frontiers of Science, Engineering and Medicine symposium started Monday at the JW Marriott Marquis City Centre.
The three-day event is under the patronage and in the presence of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah.
The opening ceremony was attended by HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali al-Thani, HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi, US ambassador Timmy Davis, and other dignitaries.
Organised by Hamad Bin Khalifa University( HBKU), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and Texas A&M University at Qatar, the conference focuses on important areas of science and technology and has brought together American and Arab scientists, engineers, and medical professionals to discuss major scientific advances on various topics relevant to the Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region and the world.
The symposium facilitates cutting-edge knowledge exchange across a broad range of multi-disciplinary topics under the guidance of co-chairs from the universities in the US and the Arab world.
Addressing the gathering, US envoy Davis said it is a very important age of science.
"We know more about our universe, more about health management and more about ourselves than we have known ever before,” he said. “The test we face is how we can shape this information into ways of maximising it.”
He observed that although the US is a world leader in science, technology and research, it does not have all the answers.
“As we look to the future, we must remember our past. In the earlier times, incredible scientific advances were made by scientists from Baghdad, Cairo among other places in the Arab World,” Davis pointed out. “Many of the developments in the modern science have roots here in the region.”
The envoy added that the topics of the conference address many of the challenges that the world face today.
Dr Dena al-Thani, associate professor at the HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering, told Gulf Times that the the conference focuses on five major areas.
“These are ‘Quantum Computing’, ‘Decarbonisation’, ‘Precision Medicine’, ‘Technology for Equity and Inclusion’, and ‘Tech Transfer’,” she said.
Two main sessions are led by HBKU: “Quantum Computing” by College of Engineering assistant professor Dr Saif al-Kuwari, and “Technology for Inclusion and Equity” by Dr Dena al-Thani.