*HBKU Talks launched on Twitter Space
Marking 10 years, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has launched a new initiative - HBKU Dialogues - that reaffirms its role as a Qatari institution to engaging the wider community.
“We remain deeply connected to our society by initiating meaningful conversations; we have launched the HBKU Dialogues to mobilise and bridge our research efforts and our community outreach initiatives,” said Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, HBKU president.
"In this context , I am pleased to announce the launch of the 'HBKU Talks' initiative on the Twitter Space," added, Dr Hasnah.
The inaugural HBKU Dialogues focused on the theme ‘Investment in Scientific Research and its Impact on Sustainable Development and a Knowledge-Based Economy’. A high-level panel with HE Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani, Minister of Environment and Climate; Dr Hassan al-Derham, president of Qatar University; and HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, former Minister of Energy and Industry, exchanged insights into the challenges and opportunities of achieving sustainable development and a knowledge-based economy.
HBKU is recognised as a uniquely Qatari hub for innovative research that creates knowledge, builds capacity, and transforms society. Over the decade, HBKU has strived to develop world-class, integrated academic programs, and national research capabilities that can propel Qatar’s knowledge-based economy and shape novel solutions to sustainability and other challenges.
The high-level discussion, moderated by HBKU alumnus, Mana al-Ansari, was live streamed to a public audience.
HE Sheikh Dr Faleh, said: “The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is a key partner for all universities and research institutes. Their role has been essential in our work to develop the Environment and Climate Change Strategy that has been approved and will be announced tomorrow. This strategy has covered all plans and areas in cooperation with universities, including HBKU. Qatar has paid close attention to the field of renewable energy, and the government has made great strides in establishing new renewable energy plants that will be operational in the near future.”
He expanded further: “In the field of waste management, the ministry is cooperating with many universities and research institutes. There are major challenges facing the oil and gas industry, as well as challenges in relation to the optimal use of land, water and energy. These are addressed through innovation, research and development, and there are many projects underway. We extend our thanks to Qatar National Research Fund, which plays a major role in supporting many research projects r hi elated to the environment, waste management and renewable energy.”
Dr al-Derham responded to a question on the opportunities that can be leveraged from an HBKU-Qatar University partnership. “I believe that universities have a key role to play in reinforcing the need for knowledge-based economies, and I believe that partnerships between educational institutions will help achieve this critical goal. Qatar University was founded to be a top-tier academic institution and HBKU was established to help address national challenges through state-of-the-art research. I do believe that HBKU can synergise its efforts, through its research institutes and graduate programs, to help achieve this goal. At Qatar University, our strength lies in numbers, since we have 25,000 enrolled students. I believe it will be very beneficial to link and connect outstanding QU graduates with their counterparts at HBKU. When we adopt and nurture their achievements and talents, we can use our combined efforts to further develop human talent and build a knowledge-based economy.”
Dr al-Derham expressed his happiness with the anticipated launch of the Qatar Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the possibilities associated with it, stressing his belief that this strategy constitutes a main theme for universities looking to advance their scientific research.
HE Dr al-Sada, outlining his vision on ways to enhance cooperation between educational and government institutions in support of a diversified Qatari economy and a knowledge-based society, said: “Scientific research is a fundamental pillar now in economies, whether economics of production or economies of services. The world is witnessing a steady development in the field of scientific research.
“No educational or research institution, regardless of its successes, can stand in its place after its successes, as it must continue to face challenges in both its operational and developmental aspects. In their efforts to enhance their efficiencies, institutions need to combine all efforts, and this can only be achieved through continuous research.”
Dr al-Sada continued: "Sharing research with other economic sectors has become an urgent necessity, not a matter of luxury or choice. The educational and research sectors can rely with complete confidence on the existing research capabilities in Qatar. Research conducted over the past 10 years reveals that the output of scientific research in Qatar has increased by more than seven times, in addition to the high quality of research, all of which are published and internationally refereed, and this is a very big indicator that makes us feel proud.”
With multiple initiatives and platforms being planned under “HBKU Dialogues”, the HBKU and wider Education City community of students, researchers, and faculty, will have opportunities to engage and share perspectives on issues of global relevance that have national impact.
“We remain deeply connected to our society by initiating meaningful conversations; we have launched the HBKU Dialogues to mobilise and bridge our research efforts and our community outreach initiatives,” said Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, HBKU president.
"In this context , I am pleased to announce the launch of the 'HBKU Talks' initiative on the Twitter Space," added, Dr Hasnah.
The inaugural HBKU Dialogues focused on the theme ‘Investment in Scientific Research and its Impact on Sustainable Development and a Knowledge-Based Economy’. A high-level panel with HE Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani, Minister of Environment and Climate; Dr Hassan al-Derham, president of Qatar University; and HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, former Minister of Energy and Industry, exchanged insights into the challenges and opportunities of achieving sustainable development and a knowledge-based economy.
A portrait of HH Sheikha Moza at the event
HBKU is recognised as a uniquely Qatari hub for innovative research that creates knowledge, builds capacity, and transforms society. Over the decade, HBKU has strived to develop world-class, integrated academic programs, and national research capabilities that can propel Qatar’s knowledge-based economy and shape novel solutions to sustainability and other challenges.
The high-level discussion, moderated by HBKU alumnus, Mana al-Ansari, was live streamed to a public audience.
Dr. Ahmad M Hasnah, HBKU president, speaking at the event
HE Sheikh Dr Faleh, said: “The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is a key partner for all universities and research institutes. Their role has been essential in our work to develop the Environment and Climate Change Strategy that has been approved and will be announced tomorrow. This strategy has covered all plans and areas in cooperation with universities, including HBKU. Qatar has paid close attention to the field of renewable energy, and the government has made great strides in establishing new renewable energy plants that will be operational in the near future.”
He expanded further: “In the field of waste management, the ministry is cooperating with many universities and research institutes. There are major challenges facing the oil and gas industry, as well as challenges in relation to the optimal use of land, water and energy. These are addressed through innovation, research and development, and there are many projects underway. We extend our thanks to Qatar National Research Fund, which plays a major role in supporting many research projects r hi elated to the environment, waste management and renewable energy.”
Dr al-Derham responded to a question on the opportunities that can be leveraged from an HBKU-Qatar University partnership. “I believe that universities have a key role to play in reinforcing the need for knowledge-based economies, and I believe that partnerships between educational institutions will help achieve this critical goal. Qatar University was founded to be a top-tier academic institution and HBKU was established to help address national challenges through state-of-the-art research. I do believe that HBKU can synergise its efforts, through its research institutes and graduate programs, to help achieve this goal. At Qatar University, our strength lies in numbers, since we have 25,000 enrolled students. I believe it will be very beneficial to link and connect outstanding QU graduates with their counterparts at HBKU. When we adopt and nurture their achievements and talents, we can use our combined efforts to further develop human talent and build a knowledge-based economy.”
Dr al-Derham expressed his happiness with the anticipated launch of the Qatar Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the possibilities associated with it, stressing his belief that this strategy constitutes a main theme for universities looking to advance their scientific research.
HE Dr al-Sada, outlining his vision on ways to enhance cooperation between educational and government institutions in support of a diversified Qatari economy and a knowledge-based society, said: “Scientific research is a fundamental pillar now in economies, whether economics of production or economies of services. The world is witnessing a steady development in the field of scientific research.
“No educational or research institution, regardless of its successes, can stand in its place after its successes, as it must continue to face challenges in both its operational and developmental aspects. In their efforts to enhance their efficiencies, institutions need to combine all efforts, and this can only be achieved through continuous research.”
Dr al-Sada continued: "Sharing research with other economic sectors has become an urgent necessity, not a matter of luxury or choice. The educational and research sectors can rely with complete confidence on the existing research capabilities in Qatar. Research conducted over the past 10 years reveals that the output of scientific research in Qatar has increased by more than seven times, in addition to the high quality of research, all of which are published and internationally refereed, and this is a very big indicator that makes us feel proud.”
With multiple initiatives and platforms being planned under “HBKU Dialogues”, the HBKU and wider Education City community of students, researchers, and faculty, will have opportunities to engage and share perspectives on issues of global relevance that have national impact.
