DOHA: Qatar University’s (QU) Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM) and Qatalum, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Hydro Aluminium of Norway, yesterday signed an agreement to create a Faculty Chair position. The Qatalum-Hydro Faculty Chair in Aluminium will be a three-year position, with the relevant person based in CAM, developing applied research programmes related to aluminium applications and their end use, said a press release yesterday.
They will also be required to establish and develop close collaborations with universities across the world, which are leading the way in the field of materials science. CAM already has strong bilateral ties with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
The research programme will be integrated with QU’s undergraduate senior student projects and graduate theses as relevant. CAM Director Dr Mariam Al Maadeed, Qatalum CEO Tom Petter Johansen, Deputy CEO Khalid Laram and Hydro Vice-President Hilde Aasheim announced the partnership at QU in the presence of QU President Professor Sheikha Al Misnad and Vice-President of Research Dr Hassan Al Derham.
Prof Al Misnad said: “Qatar University has always enjoyed collaboration between academia and industry, which is a cornerstone of our research capabilities. Strong partnerships benefit both sectors and foster innovation which benefits not only our students but the wider society. We are grateful to Qatalum, QP and Hydro Aluminium for their support and cooperation.”
Al Derham said: “We are delighted to cement our close partnership with Qatalum, Qatar Petroleum and Hydro Aluminium’s joint venture through the establishment of this Chair.
“It will play an important role in developing our research capabilities and knowledge related to aluminium applications and the work undertaken through this will be accessible not just to graduate students but also by senior undergraduates.
Aasheim, signing the MoU on behalf of Hydro, said: “In my view technology development is the same as business development. This is why I am so enthusiastic about signing this MoU and Chair agreement with QU and Qatalum. We will cooperate to create an even stronger competence cluster in Qatar, and I am very happy that we all are so willing eager to contribute to more Aluminium related research activities at the Qatar University.”
The Peninsula
