DOHA: The Annual Research Conference (ARC’13), organised by Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) and its research institutes scheduled to be held in November, aims at addressing 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 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 sharing its innovations in energy and water security.
Dr Mohammad Khaleel, Executive Director of QEERI, believes that participating in ARC’13 is of significant value to research organisations in Qatar.
“The Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference provides the perfect opportunity for research institutes to 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 industries in Qatar are successful. It also gives us the chance to hear from world-renowned experts and learn how other nations deal with similar challenges.
“Qatar is blessed with a lot of natural resources,” said Dr Khaleel.
“However, the country understands the importance of diversifying the energy portfolio to create a solid foundation for a sustainable future. The question is then raised about the future of energy in Qatar. One, clear solution is solar energy.”
World-renowned experts will come together at the conference under the theme ‘Qatar’s Cross-cutting Research Grand Challenges’ to debate issues and combine efforts to forge ahead and address the challenges outlined in the Qatar National Research Strategy.
Dr Ramesh Ramamoorthy is one such expert and the deputy 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.
He will speak about technological innovations and cutting-edge activities that need to be undertaken in order for Qatar to utilise solar energy in a cost-effective manner. Another eminent expert speaker 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. He will be sharing the centre’s work in bringing this new technology to Qatar. The conference will serve as a venue to highlight other research grand challenges, including protecting the nation’s cyber infrastructure, developing an integrated, modernised healthcare system, and supporting Arabic culture, arts, heritage, media and language, among others. The conference will place at the Qatar National Convention Centre on November 24 and 25. The Peninsula
