Texas A&M at Qatar hosts prestigious chemistry conference
Published Jan 08, 2012Texas A&M University at Qatar welcomed attendees to the 14th International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Conference on Polymers and Organic Chemistry (POC 2012) at the Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel on 6 Jan. The conference is being held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, minister of energy and industry, and Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to host the conference, a mark of the country’s growing role in research and development in the region and worldwide.
The opening session of the conference was attended by HE Dr. Al-Sada and VIP members of local industry and government, in addition to conference attendees.
Speaking at the opening, HE Dr. Al-Sada said, "We feel honored that Qatar is hosting this prestigious conference, being the first Arab country to do so. I am sure it will provide a strong stimulus to the research community in Qatar. The petrochemical industry has always been a primary beneficiary of the scientific advancement and innovative technologies of applied chemistry, which enables this vital industry to be more efficient and safer in producing, transporting and consuming diverse types of value-added petrochemical derivatives."
IUPAC, considered one of the most prominent authorities on chemical sciences and their application to industry, is a non-governmental organization including member chemists from around the world. This is the 14th meeting of IUPAC POC with previous meetings being held in locations such as France, USA, Japan and, most recently, Canada in 2009.
Dr. Hassan S. Bazzi, associate professor of chemistry at Texas A&M at Qatar and conference chair, said, "This conference will be a platform to discuss the latest research in the fields of polymers and organic chemistry, to promote the role of Qatar as a leading nation in the production of polymers and to support one of the largest industry sectors in Qatar, the production of polyolefins.
"By hosting this conference in Qatar, the University aims to promote the role of Qatar as a leading nation in the production of polymers," continued Bazzi. “But the conference will also showcase Education City branch campuses to scientists from around the globe and lead to opportunities for collaboration between local industry and these scientists."
Dr. Robert H. Grubbs, Victor and Elizabeth Atkins Professor of Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology and 2005 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, is the keynote speaker for the conference and opened the conference with an address. He is joined by more than 70 speakers from 65 universities and companies around the world, who are also presenting at the conference.
Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) is the premier sponsor of the conference with additional sponsors including Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO), Qatar University, Qatar Foundation, Texas A&M at Qatar and Qatar Airways.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Mulla, vice chairman and chief executive officer of QAPCO, said, "Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) is honored to be the premier sponsor of this conference, as we believe now is the perfect time to highlight the current research being undertaken in the field of polymers and organic chemistry. It is also a privilege to be able to work in partnership with Texas A&M at Qatar, as it provides a wonderful opportunity for industry and academia to collaborate so that the theoretical aspects discussed at the conference can be successfully put into production."
POC 2012 continues through 9 Jan. at the Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel.