Research in Qatar ‘to address three major challenges’

By Joseph Varghese

Staff Reporter

Research in Qatar will focus immediately on three priority challenges of energy, water and cyber security, HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation, announced yesterday. 

Delivering the opening address at Qatar Foundation’s Annual Research Conference 2013 at the Qatar National Convention Centre, HH Sheikha Moza said: “This conference is an opportunity to announce our decision to address three priority challenges in our country: energy security, through raising the production of solar energy to one gigawatt by 2020; water security, through promoting the scientific research in the area of water desalination; and cyber security, through strengthening information security management in an electronically open and overlapped space. 

“In addition, we continue to pursue our research in health, particularly in priority sectors for our country, namely diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders.”

The two-day conference is a platform for exploring research possibilities and showcasing  activities being conducted  by Qatar Foundation’s Research and Development (QF R&D) with the involvement of academia and industry partners in Qatar. A  number of international scientists are taking part.

She reaffirmed Qatar’s pledge to support Arab expatriate scientists and to provide the necessary resources to reputable centres across the world so as to advance research expertise locally, regionally and internationally.

 “We believe in the globalisation of science, and in sharing, co-operating, and supporting the establishment of scientific research, given that this world is a nation for us all; a world in which science should be devoted to the service of humanity.

“Given that challenges are global by nature, they require global research solutions through working with international partners who share our beliefs.”

QF R&D will prepare a comprehensive five-year research strategy, said its president Faisal Alsuwaidi.  “Each research institute will take the lead in implementation of the plan. Each of them has been asked to submit a comprehensive plan within a few months for review, approval and implementation. The outcomes of R&D will contribute largely to the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

The opening ceremony was followed by  a number of workshops and panel discussions on the first day. The conference gets over today with another round of discussions and awards presentation at a gala dinner.