The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (Gord) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (Ashrae) Qatar Oryx Chapter to foster sustainable development through joint initiatives.
The agreement was signed by Gord founding chairman Dr Yousef Alhorr and Ashrae Qatar Oryx chapter president Kinan Fahs at Gord headquarters at Qatar Science & Technology Park.
The MoU outlines four areas of co-operation through which the partnering organisations will work towards capacity building by way of joint training and educational programmes. 
The areas are: driving technological dissemination through industry events; embarking on research projects of mutual interest; and developing technical publications and standards to speed up sustainable development.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dr Alhorr said: “For years, Gord has been spearheading sustainability endeavours in Mena and beyond. In the same vein, Ashrae has become a point of reference for HVAC industry across the world with its standards and guidelines. Our partnership with Ashrae today will be a coming together of knowledge and expertise that will undoubtedly benefit Qatar and the wider region.”
“Together, we can establish better guidelines and eventually more sustainable buildings,” noted Fahs, who is also the deputy director, Mechanical Department at MZP Architectural & Engineering Consultancy. 
Giving details about the upcoming projects resulting from the partnership, Fahs said the collaboration of Gord and Ashrae will establish standards and guidelines for sustainable outdoor cooling in Mena’s hot climate. He also said that  sustainability experts from Gord will be invited to present their research and findings at Ashrae’s future industry events in Qatar.  
Providing a history of Gord-Ashrae relationship,  Hassan Sultan, advisory committee chair of Ashrae Qatar Oryx chapter and director of Mechanical Department at MZP Architectural & Engineering Consultancy, said the two organisations have been collaborating on mutually beneficial projects since 2007. 
“We are going to see many technical workshops and conferences,” said, Sultan.
“We appreciate what Gord has done so far. It is providing technical support for contractors and consultants in order to rate their buildings to be better. Creating the GSAS rating system is a very big achievement, it is 100% applicable and suits our environment, history and country as well as the GCC countries.”
Following the MoU, Ashrae will closely work with Gord Institute, that is engaged in continuous long-term applied research projects on various themes including carbon and climate change, eco materials, energy efficiency, sustainable HVAC solutions, environmental sciences and renewable energy.  
In addition, the partnering companies have plans to hold training sessions focused on sustainable built environment.