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University welcomes industry partners at Research-Industry Partnership Showcase 2013

Published Apr 22, 2013

Texas A&M University at Qatar hosted its second research-industry partnership showcase, titled 'Research and Industry: Building on Success' on 22 April at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

The showcase highlighted the research work performed by the University’s researchers on behalf of local industry stakeholders.

The event opened dialogue between University researchers and industry representatives on collaboration potentials, mutual interests and shared opportunities for advancing the State of Qatar's national vision and strategic development goals through strategic research partnerships.

In his keynote address, Mr. Faisal Al-Suwaidi, president of Research and Development at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, said, "This conference reflects the path forward for research and development in Qatar. Over the course of one day, leading experts from academia, industry and Qatar Foundation research institutes intensely focused on progress and future needs for technology in areas of vital interest to Qatar, oil and gas, advanced information and communications technologies, energy, water and the environment, among others. The participation of industry helps ensure we address real-world problems. Together, they will develop the R&D to address this country’s Grand Challenges and help achieve our national vision for 2030."

Dr. Mark H. Weichold, dean and CEO, said, "The annual research forum represents the vibrancy of Texas A&M at Qatar's research program and the dynamic and collaborative relationships that exist between the University and industry partners. Qatar is making great strides toward its goal of becoming a knowledge hub and a center of global learning, and Texas A&M at Qatar's research capacity helps to build the nation's technical and scientific capacity to achieve this goal."

In his address ’10 years of Research Excellence at Texas A&M at Qatar,’ Dr. Kenneth Hall, associate dean for research and graduate studies at the University, said, "In my opinion, the second annual research-industry partnership showcase was a complete success. The number of industrial attendees exceeded that of the first one. We had presentations and posters highlighting our research program and endeavors. In addition, we had breakout rooms available in which participants with a particular interest in certain research topics could meet with the researcher for intensive discussions. These showcases proved to have resonated with the needs of local industries, and now we intend to begin planning for the next showcase."

The daylong showcase included keynote presentations by leaders from Qatar Foundation and local industry, four themed breakout sessions and a poster session, as well as panel discussions. The panelists included distinguished speakers from leading industry stakeholders, academic institutions and Qatar Foundation. This event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to pose grand challenges that can help set the direction of research activities at Texas A&M at Qatar and to provide feedback on the University’s past and present initiatives and contributions in the research arena.

Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Wahab, chair of the showcase organizing committee and associate professor of chemical engineering, said, "We were very pleased to see this large number of participants from industrial stakeholders in Qatar and participation in the showcase program. Today’s event was an excellent opportunity to highlight the work performed by the University researchers on behalf of local stakeholders. This event was an ideal platform for our faculty and stakeholders to engage in an atmosphere of sharing knowledge, exchange of experiences, concerns, observations and ideas among stakeholders and policy-makers to identify and define challenges facing industry that require more attention through research, development and/or capacity-building in order to further strengthen this collaboration. We are confident that this event will result in more opportunities for collaboration and partnerships between the University and industry stakeholders in Qatar for advancing the State of Qatar’s national vision and strategic development goals through joint research and development projects and human capacity building activities."