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Texas A&M at Qatar announces first recipient of Al Sraiya Holding Group professorship

Published Sep 15, 2015



Dr. Milivoj Belic, professor in the Science Program at Texas A&M University at Qatar, has been chosen as the first recipient of the prestigious Al Sraiya Holding Group Professorship.

Belic’s record at Texas A&M at Qatar has garnered him many well-deserved recognitions in the past, such as receiving the Research Team of the Year Award in 2012 and 2014 from the Qatar National Research Fund.

Dr. Mark H. Weichold, dean and CEO of Texas A&M at Qatar, said, “It is my pleasure to announce Dr. Belic as the first recipient of this prestigious professorship. His record at Texas A&M at Qatar and throughout his career has garnered many well-deserved recognitions. Therefore, it is most fitting that a person of his caliber be chosen to receive the first professorship provided by a private company in Qatar. The generous contribution by Al-Sraiya Holding Group will provide funds to support Dr. Belic’s academic, development and research activities for a period of three years. Professorships are crucial to an academic institution focused on excellence and represent truly exceptional teachers and scholars."

A selection committee comprising of five chaired faculty members from Texas A&M University’s main campus received a number of very strong nominations from the Texas A&M at Qatar engineering and Science Program chairs. The committee evaluated the nominees based on their records of excellence in research, teaching and service, with particular emphasis on involving students in research, research productivity and impact and engagement with the local community in Qatar.

“It makes me proud to be the first recipient of the prestigious Al Sraiya Holding Professorship,” Dr. Belic said. “This fund will benefit our research endeavors at Texas A&M at Qatar as well as Qatar and its people.”

Sponsored by Al Sraiya Holding Group, this professorship supports Belic’s prestigious position and support teaching and student activities at Texas A&M at Qatar.

Professorships help give universities a competitive edge by providing funds to attract top faculty, which in turn helps attract other top-notch faculty and students.