Premier Conference in Wireless Communications to Be Held in Doha 3-6 April
Published Mar 31, 2016Doha is hosting the annual IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC16) to be held under the patronage of H.E. Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications on 3-6 April at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel.
The conference is co-hosted by Texas A&M University at Qatar, Qatar University and Hamad bin Khalifa University and is expected to be attended by over 700 people from around the world.
This is the first time the conference will be held in the Middle East and North Africa region. Attending also are several local university presidents; high-level representatives from sponsors Ooredoo, National Instruments, Qatar Petrochemical Co. (QAPCO), Qatar National Research Fund and the U.S. Office of Naval Research Global; and organizers Texas A&M at Qatar, Qatar University and Hamad bin Khalifa University.
"As the State of Qatar continues on its path toward becoming a knowledge-based economy as expressed in Qatar National Vision 2030, the Ministry of Transport and Communications works tirelessly to oversee the development of the information and communications technology sector in Qatar,” H.E. Minister Al Sulaiti said. “Advanced technologies in wireless communications are helping to create a more connected, more digitally literate and more innovative society, building capacity and improving productivity — all for the benefit of the state and its residents,” H.E. the Minister added.
He noted that choosing Doha to host this conference is viewed as an appreciation to the efforts being made in this area by those in industry, government and academia.
A conference of the IEEE Communications Society, IEEE WCNC is the world’s premier wireless event that brings together industry professionals, academics and individuals from government agencies and other institutions to exchange information and ideas on the advancement of wireless communications and networking technologies.
QU President Dr. Hassan Rashid Al-Derham said, “Qatar University is pleased to co-organize this important conference with its partners HBKU and Texas A&M at Qatar. It being the first in the region, this forum will bring added relevancy to the ongoing dialogue, research and collaboration on wireless communication and networking technology being conducted by regional academics and researchers. We at Qatar University look forward to the discussions and shared experiences that will emerge from this conference as they will serve to guide our research expansion activities in this field in line with the country’s ambitions towards a knowledge-based economy.”
QU VP and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Mazen Hasna added, “As a chairman of this prestigious conference, I am very proud that it is taking place in the region for the first time. Our faculty members, researchers and students will have a golden opportunity for interaction with hundreds of telecommunication experts and researchers from all around the world.”
Dr. Khaled B. Letaief, IEEE WCNC Steering Committee chair and provost of Hamad bin Khalifa University, said, “IEEE, and in particular the IEEE Communications Society, has long been a driving force behind the development and design of wireless systems and networks around the world, with WCNC playing a key role in inspiring knowledge-sharing and innovation in the field. Although I have been actively involved with IEEE for many years, my new position as provost of Hamad bin Khalifa University makes me especially proud to have the conference hosted in Doha this year, as it offers specialists from around the world the opportunity to learn about the technology capabilities being developed in the Gulf region. As the Steering Committee chair of WCNC, it is a pleasure to see HBKU playing a pivotal role in organizing this year’s conference, in line with the university’s effort to continue building human capital and produce breakthrough research that impacts the development of the region.”
The conference will feature a comprehensive technical program offering numerous technical sessions with papers showcasing the latest technologies, applications and services. In addition, the conference program includes workshops, tutorials, keynote talks from industrial leaders and renowned academics, panel discussions, an exhibition, and business and industrial forums.
About 550 technical papers will be presented at the conference, given by speakers coming from more than 30 countries. An excellent lineup of worldwide authority keynotes and distinguished speakers will present at the conference, as well. The first day of the conference will feature tutorials and workshops given by experts in wireless communications.
Dr. Ann Kenimer, interim dean of Texas A&M at Qatar, said, "Technology drives so many aspects of our lives. Today's innovators are responsible for the extraordinary developments that will shape our future society, drive environmental conservation and sustainable resource development, further communications and global connectivity, and take healthcare to new heights. Texas A&M University at Qatar is proud to host this conference and provide a unique opportunity to explore information and communications technology from experts from around the globe. Through this global community building, we can leverage and maximize science, technology and engineering to push discovery further than ever before."
The IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) is a diverse group of global industry professionals with a common interest in advancing all communications technologies. With more than 8,800 members, IEEE ComSoc has become the premier international forum for the exchange of ideas on communications technologies and information networking. Its members stay on top of the world of communications technology by accessing up-to-the-minute technical information, networking with other experts in the field, and leveraging many other exclusive benefits.
“Hosting such a prestigious event in Qatar is special because Doha was selected among several international cities through a competitive selection process,” said Dr. Ali Ghrayeb, executive chair of the conference and professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program at Texas A&M at Qatar. “This conference brings considerable visibility to the country and to the organizing universities, and provides an excellent opportunity to many researchers and students — both locally and in the region — to experience attending such an important event, which might otherwise be impossible due to financial constraints.
“It’s also significant to promote and bring awareness of IEEE and its activities in the region,” Ghrayeb continued. “Establishing collaborative ties between researchers in the region and those attending the conference from abroad, and giving rise to the opportunity of recruiting highly qualified students from the region to pursue their graduate studies abroad are both significant advantages of hosting IEEE WCNC here in Doha.”