Texas A&M at Qatar hosts sixth annual Qatar Process Safety Symposium
Published Apr 06, 2015Texas A&M University at Qatar and ConocoPhillips co-hosted the sixth annual Qatar Process Safety Symposium at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), which took place from 30–31 March, 2015.
The two-day event, entitled “Successfully Managing Changes For A Safer Future” addressed important topics that are common interest areas to all those in the energy industry including safety management, hazardous phenomenon, risk assessment and gas dispersion research & technology. The Qatar Process Safety Symposium (QPSS) also provided excellent networking opportunities bringing together safety experts in Qatar whether professionals, government officials, academics or NGO representatives to exchange vital knowledge on industrial safety.
Dr. Mark H. Weichold, dean and CEO at Texas A&M at Qatar commented on the symposium’s significance, “Texas A&M at Qatar is honored to co-host the 6th annual QPSS for the 4th time with longtime partner ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips has been a steadfast collaborator with the branch campus and we thank them for their partnership which benefits Texas A&M at Qatar academic and research programs, faculty, students and graduates. Process safety is not only an essential tool for improving an overall safety culture. It has significant impact on all operations and a process safety management strategy is fundamental in mitigating safety concerns. The good news is that this is a recognized fact here in Qatar and the QPSS grows each year because it addresses unique concerns for Qatar industry and the region. This symposium is a perfect example of how academics and industry can come together to foment change and promote best practices.
“Together, we can influence development and innovation, encourage engagement, challenge conventional practices and develop sustainable models surrounding this essential subject.”
Gary Sykes, president of ConocoPhillips Qatar, said, “ConocoPhillips always strives to leverage our global expertise and standard of excellence in everything we do to support the Qatar National Vision 2030. Part of this responsibility is towards supporting symposiums like this which provide a forum in which to share best practices and debate collective approaches and engage in a learning experience focused on continuous improvement. It is from this commitment to safety that we welcome this year’s delegates to the sixth annual Qatar Process Safety Symposium which has grown significantly in both stature and depth since its inaugural edition reflecting the growing demand for this important platform of debate.
“It is because of the tireless efforts of individuals such as Dr. Luc N. Véchot, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Texas A&M at Qatar, managing director of MKOPSC-Q and the chair of QPSS organizing committee that this event is attracting the attention of professionals and students alike, rightfully placing process safety at the center of our industry agenda.”
An award ceremony recognized Hasan Husni M. K. Abunada, QATAR SHELL as the recipient of the QPSS Process Safety Excellence Award. Over the last 15 years, Hasan has acquired comprehensive technical knowledge in the very demanding multidisciplinary area of Process Safety and Loss Prevention. Additionally, the first student to be recognized with the QPSS Process Safety Excellence Student Award was Rym Kanes, Graduate Student in the Master of Chemical Engineering of Texas A&M University at Qatar, Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center. Rym received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University at Qatar in 2013 with a minor in Chemistry and has been instrumental in the development of the process safety laboratory at the university. Both award categories aim to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to Process Safety in Qatar or internationally.
This year’s edition of the Qatar Process Safety Symposium attracted over 230 attendees from 40 registered companies from Qatar and abroad and featured 20 speakers who presented a range of topics focused on managing change.
The event included parallel sessions on Safety Management, Hazardous Phenomenon, Risk Assessment and Gas Dispersion.