Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference showcases innovative technologies from research institutes

The Annual Research Conference (ARC’13),organised by Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) and its research institutes, will help to address some of the country’s research grand challenges, such as the latest innovations in  sustainable solutions for natural resources.

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), a principal constituent of Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D),conducts research to support Qatar’s energy independence, water sustainability, and food self-sufficiency goals.  The institute will play a pivotal role at the conference by bringing together global leaders to discuss and debate issues in these critical areas, and by sharingits own innovations in energy and water security.

Dr Mohammad Khaleel, Executive Director ofQEERI,believes that participating at ARC’13is of significant value to research organisations in Qatar.

“The Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference provides the perfect opportunity for research institutesto share details about projects and plans with people, academics and industry leaders within Qatar,” he said. “We can explain exactly how our work will help reach national goals, increase and build human capacity and ensure that industriesin Qatar are successful. It also gives us the chance to hear from world-renowned experts and learn how other nations deal withsimilar challenges.”

“Qatar is blessed with a lot of natural resources,” said Dr Khaleel. “However, the country understands the importance of diversifying the energy portfolio in order to create a solid foundation for a sustainable future. The question is then raised about the future of energy in Qatar. One, clearsolution is solar energy.”

World-renowned experts will come together at the conference under the theme of “Qatar’s Cross-cutting Research Grand Challenges” to debate issues and combine efforts in order to forge ahead and address the challenges outlined in the Qatar National Research Strategy.

Dr Ramesh Ramamoorthy is one such expert andthe deputy laboratory director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He led the SunShot Initiative, a collaborative effort to make solar energy in the US cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by the end of the decade. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineers and one of the Institute’s advisory board members and he will speak about the technological innovationsand cutting edge activities that need to be undertaken in order for Qatar to utilise solar energy in a cost-effective manner.

Another eminent expert speakerat the event is Dr Adel Al Sharif, Research Director of Water Desalination and Reuse at QEERI. Dr Al Sharif is a world expert in forward osmosis membrane technology, used to desalinate water, and will be sharing the centre’s work in bringing this new technology to Qatar.

The conference will serve as a venue to highlight other researchgrand challenges including protecting the nation’s cyber infrastructure, developing an integrated, modernisedhealth caresystem, and supporting Arabic culture, arts, heritage, media and language amongst others.Other QF R&D constituents such as Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) will also be looking at ways to address some of these challenges. 

The Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference ,which takes place at the Qatar National Convention Centre,between 24-25 November,will allow national stakeholdersfrom universities and local organisations, as well as international partners,to network, familiarise themselves with Qatar’s latest research initiatives and facilitate knowledge transfer.