DOHA: Qatar University (QU) and Thales have signed an agreement to establish the Thales Professorial Chair in Cyber and Computing Security at the university. The Chair will be housed in the Computer Science and Engineering department of the College of Engineering (CENG).
The agreement was signed by QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad and Thales Vice President, Cybersecurity Technologies and Solutions, Pierre Jeanne, in front of an audience that comprised QU VP and Chief Academic Officer Dr Mazen Hasna, the French Ambassador to Qatar, Eric Chevallier, CENG Dean Dr Rashid Alammari, officials from QU, Thales, the French Embassy and ictQatar, and representatives of leading information and communications organisations in Qatar.
The new agreement reinforces the MoU signed between the two organisations in November 2013 to provide opportunities to Qatari students training on new and emerging technologies in the field of cybersecurity. Its aim is to foster cooperation between academia and industry on information systems and data security and related services. It is also meant to contribute to development of information and communications technologies in Qatar.
The chair will benefit students of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments. Students will gain opportunities for practical experience in research and development at QU and at Thales’ office in Qatar Science Technology Park.
Under the agreement, both parties will cooperate in research and consulting activities, develop tailored training programmes and engage in activities related to Cyber and Computing Security.
Dr Alammari said: “This agreement to establish a new chair represents the spirit of cooperation between academia and industry and the commitment of both to graduate highly professional engineers in various disciplines. We are proud of this partnership which will add great value to education and research at QU and which will advance CENG students’ skills and capabilities to match labour market needs”.
Ambassador Chevallier said: “I welcome very warmly this Cybersecurity Chair agreement between Qatar University and Thales. This partnership is a new milestone in the development of links between Qatar and France in the field of education that I am strongly committed to strengthening”.
Jeanne said: “In November last year we made a commitment to help develop Qatari professionals in the field of emerging technologies and cybersecurity by partnering with Qatar University. The results of our promise are now coming to fruition and the collaboration will help both parties learn from each other to develop solutions that will protect Qatar’s networks from cybercrime. Thales is proud to support Qatar’s efforts, especially those of Qatar University to meet the challenge of cyber-security that constitutes one of the priorities for the country”.
THE PENINSULA
