The announcement event was attended by VIP officials from Texas A&M at Qatar and QAPCO as well as His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, minister of energy and industry. It follows the agreement signed between Texas A&M at Qatar and QAPCO on 29 April in which the corporation endowed a fund for the University to bring a Nobel Laureate to Qatar each year. The fund, comprising QR 274,000 annually, will provide for bringing the chair recipient to Qatar annually under the auspices of Texas A&M at Qatar.

On the occasion of launching the QAPCO Chair of Polymer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M at Qatar, His Excellency Dr. Al Sada welcomed the Nobel Laureate, saying, “I consider this initiative an important milestone for research and development, not only for academic research but also for the future of Qatar, especially its energy industry.”

Grubbs is a world-renowned scientist in the field of chemistry. His research involves design, synthesis and mechanistic studies of complexes that catalyze basic organic transformations. His recent focus has been on olefin metathesis reaction. To optimize the utility of this reaction, new catalysts have been developed that are extremely tolerant of organic functional groups. He has over 500 publications and over 115 patents based on his research.

In his acceptance speech, Grubbs said, “I look forward to interacting with the outstanding groups in Texas A&M at Qatar to further develop the applications of the olefin metathesis technology. The combination of petroleum technology through possible interactions with QAPCO and the basic science at Texas A&M at Qatar will lead to interesting new breakthroughs.”

Dr. Mohammed Yousef Al-Mulla, vice chairman and chief executive officer of QAPCO, said, “I am delighted that Professor Grubbs will be taking up the QAPCO Chair of Polymer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M at Qatar, and I am confident that he will contribute to and expand the scope of research and development in this important area. I believe the oil and gas industry in Qatar has a bright future, but we must continue to invest in it. Especially in research and development, we must continue to be innovative and focus on development of technology so that the industry remains sustainable and continues to be competitive.”

“This industrial-academic collaboration will, in my opinion, play a key role in achieving this sustainability and strengthen Qatar’s global competitiveness,” continued Al-Mulla. “That is why QAPCO invests heavily in research and development as a strategic choice. Through the Qatar Foundation National Priorities Research Program (NPRP), we collaborated with the Advanced Materials Center at Qatar University on plastics recycling and the use of polymers in Nano-composites and energy savings applications. This partnership also resulted in the creation of the QAPCO Polymer Chair at Qatar University. This partnership also extends to environmental research with the College of Engineering and collaboration with the Gas Processing Centre. With the creation of the QAPCO Chair of Polymer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M at Qatar, I firmly believe this will position QAPCO as a pioneer in industrial-academic collaboration and enable us to make a real different in the future of polymer science and engineering in Qatar.”

Dr. Mark H. Weichold, dean and CEO of Texas A&M at Qatar, added the agreement enables both organizations to partner in contributing to the State of Qatar’s development. “This agreement is an example of how Texas A&M at Qatar aims to work closely with industry corporations towards our mutual goal of benefiting and contributing to the State of Qatar,” he said. “We are grateful to QAPCO for their generous endowment of this fund and proud to partner with them in bringing a Nobel Laureate in the field of polymer science and engineering to Qatar.”

Dr. Hassan S. Bazzi, associate professor of chemistry and Science Program chair, concluded the event, saying, “Dr. Grubbs is one of the world’s most renowned scientists and one of the pioneers in the field of designing new catalytic systems. His Nobel prize in Chemistry in 2005 is an indication of the impact of his research accomplishments in the field of metathesis chemistry. Having him spend time performing research and teaching in Qatar is a great milestone in the superb evolution of higher education that the State of Qatar is witnessing.”

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, minister of energy and industry and Texas A&M at Qatar Joint Advisory Board chairman, commented on the State of Qatar’s need for engineering expertise, saying, “As the State of Qatar’s economy and industry progresses, its need for highly-trained engineers continues to grow. Graduates of Texas A&M University at Qatar are well prepared to meet the State’s current engineering challenges and lead it toward new developments and achievements. As chairman of Texas A&M at Qatar’s Joint Advisory Board, I am proud of the remarkable contributions and success of the University’s past graduates and look forward to seeing these 87 young engineers make their mark in the local and international field of engineering.”

Dr. Karan L. Watson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Texas A&M University, opened the ceremony with greetings from the University’s main campus in College Station, Texas, US. “I am proud of the high quality of engineering graduates in Texas A&M University at Qatar’s class of 2012,” Watson said. “They are strong representations of the excellence for which Texas A&M University is known around the world. The individuals graduating tonight have been through a rigorous engineering education, and they have earned the privilege of being known as Aggie engineers. I congratulate them on this achievement and look forward to witnessing their future successes and contributions to the engineering industry.”

Dr. Nasser Mohammed Marafih, chief executive officer, Qtel Group, offered the commencement address. He challenged the graduating students to pursue their passions, saying, “The key to success is to pursue your passion and the things you love to do. Also, you need to accept the fact that you will have some failures along the way, but these are part of the journey to success.”

Kamal Ariss, director, The Association of Former Students, Texas A&M University, urged the graduates to continue their connection to the University after graduation. ” Today’s ceremony marks the end of one chapter of your life, but it also offers an exciting new beginning—the beginning of your life as a former student of Texas A&M,” said Ariss. “As you join the ranks of our former students, I urge you to do your part in upholding our noble tradition of service and support established and continued by the generations of Aggies who came before us. As you relish in the moment of this evening and feel that incredible pride and accomplishment of a former student, know that it is now your turn to make a difference for future generations of Texas Aggies. Indeed, today is not an ending, but the continuation of a fulfilling journey and affiliation with Texas A&M.”

Mariam Al-Meer, a chemical engineering graduate, gave the student address. She highlighted the journey of the class of 2012, its accomplishments and the graduating students’ goals for the future. “We were led to believe from our first day here that we are the face of the future,” Al-Meer said.

“We were not held together by our nationalities, languages or cultures. We were held together by our common goals in life. These goals are bigger than all of us. Even though our campus is small, and our graduating class is only 80 people, the willpower of our young minds can bring about tomorrow’s much-needed change. I look at the faces of my colleagues here today, and I see the future. I am proud to say that I am an engineer, and better yet, an Aggie engineer.”

Dr. Nasser Mohammed Marafih, chief executive officer, Qtel Group, will deliver the commencement address to graduates and guests. Dr. Karan L. Watson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Texas A&M University, said, “I am proud of the high quality of engineering graduates in Texas A&M University at Qatar’s class of 2012. They are strong representations of the excellence for which Texas A&M University is known around the world.” Commencement is scheduled for 10 May in the Qatar National Convention Centre. Invited guests are requested to arrive at 6 p.m., as doors will close promptly at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are required for entrance to the ceremony.

For information contact Dr. Kerry Noack: kerry.noack@qatar.tamu.edu, +974.4423.0207.

For information contact Rachel White: rachel.white@qatar.tamu.edu, +974.4423.0509.

Dr. Nasser Mohammed Marafih, chief executive officer, Qtel Group, will deliver the commencement address to graduates and guests. Dr. Karan L. Watson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Texas A&M University, said, “I am proud of the high quality of engineering graduates in Texas A&M University at Qatar’s class of 2012. They are strong representations of the excellence for which Texas A&M University is known around the world.”

Commencement is scheduled for 10 May in the Qatar National Convention Centre. Invited guests are requested to arrive at 6 p.m., as doors will close promptly at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are required for entrance to the ceremony.

For information contact Dr. Kerry Noack: kerry.noack@qatar.tamu.edu, +974.4423.0207.

Dr. Mark H. Weichold, dean and chief executive officer of Texas A&M at Qatar, signed the agreement with Dr. Mohammed Al-Mulla, vice chairman and chief executive officer of QAPCO, in a ceremony attended by VIP guests from both organizations.

Al-Mulla discussed the agreement, saying, “This is another landmark achievement for QAPCO and Texas A&M at Qatar and further demonstrates both parties’ commitment to the education sector, especially in the field of research. This agreement shows that we are leading the way in developing a new generation of academics, scientists and engineers that will enable vital research to be undertaken in this specialized area. It also represents a great day for the State of Qatar and its oil and gas industry, and I am proud to be able to collaborate with our esteemed partner and welcome the new QAPCO Chair of Polymer Science and Engineering to Qatar.”

Weichold added the agreement enables both organizations to partner in contributing to the State of Qatar’s development. “Texas A&M at Qatar’s mission is strongly tied to its partners in industry, government and the local community,” he said. “Through building close ties to these entities, the University is better able to develop exemplary engineers, generate new knowledge and serve the needs of the State of Qatar.

“The agreement signed today with Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) is an example of how we aim to work closely with industry corporations towards our mutual goal of benefiting and contributing to the State of Qatar,” Weichold continued. “We are grateful to QAPCO for their generous endowment of this fund and proud to partner with them in bringing a Nobel Laureate in the field of polymer science and engineering to Qatar.”

Dr. Hassan S. Bazzi, associate professor of chemistry and chair of the Science Program at Texas A&M at Qatar, worked closely with QAPCO on the agreement. He commented on the generosity of the corporation, saying, “QAPCO’s endowment of this Chair is an indication of the company’s continuous commitment to enhancing higher education in the State of Qatar and creating and sustaining a culture of research and development. This will complement the State of Qatar’s economic and industrial growth and push the State towards a knowledge-based society, one of the main objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

The program was founded over 20 years ago to train engineering students in soft skills and non-technical skills necessary for success in the workplace. The program, facilitated by Russell Pierce, director of Engineering Futures, Tau Beta Pi Association, comprised five modules and was attended by the new Tau Beta Pi members who were initiated to the honor society at the end of the program.

For information contact Anas Al Bastami: anas.al_bastami@qatar.tamu.edu.

The event celebrates student achievements throughout the year, and awards are presented to individuals and student organizations demonstrating University core values. Students will also be recognized for contributions to the University as student leaders, athletes, student employees and scholars. The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Hamad Bin Khalifa University Student Center Ballroom.

For information contact Jeffrey Sulik: jeffrey.sulik@qatar.tamu.edu, +974.4423.0231.

Student project presentation will cover topics including photovoltaic power generation, voice command algorithms and solar powered cooling systems. Industry professionals will attend and participate in the event, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in lecture hall 144.

For information contact Majid Farooqi: majid.farooqi@qatar.tamu.edu, +974.4423.0282.