Qatar Shell Pearl GTL Deputy General Manager, Rashid Al Sulaiti, and President of CNA-Q, Dr. Salem Al Naemi, signing the MoU yesterday.
Doha: The College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) would soon be a university, President of CNA-Q, Dr. Salem Al Naemi, told The Peninsula on the sideline of the memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between the College and Qatar Shell Pearl GTL yesterday.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Al Naemi and Qatar Shell Deputy General Manager Rashid Al Sulaiti.
CNA-Q is the third-largest post-secondary institution in Qatar. Students are enrolled in over 30 programmes in Engineering Technology and Industrial Trades, Health Sciences, Business Management, Information Technology, Academic Education and Foundation Program.
“As a College, we are in the process of transferring to a university. In weeks or months, we are hoping that very soon, this development happens. We have been working with the relevant government bodies to transfer the College to a university,” Dr. Al Naemi said.
Meanwhile, the MoU with Qatar Shell provides a framework for undertaking joint research, applied practical studies, and technologies focused on sustainable development and energy.
Dr. Al Naemi said that regardless of the College’s status, the MoU’s goal is to link students and faculty with the industry. He said the agreement would be for five years with specific milestones and goals to review the progress annually.
“This signing is significant for Qatar Shell and the College. The agreement will allow our students to train, especially when doing their capstone (graduation) project. We want to look into the opportunity for research ideas where students can work with experienced engineers, which we are hoping will either solve a problem or teach the students some skills,” Dr. Al Naemi noted.
The agreement is also essential for CNA-Q’s faculty. It will help them know the trends in technology and engineering methods and how they can impact the students and ensure their workforce readiness.
The MoU will also see students contribute to Qatar Shell’s drive “for a cleaner global energy future” and global initiatives like the “Shell Eco-marathon.” They will also follow orientation sessions about energy efficiency and eco-efficiency.
Commenting on the signing, Al Sulaiti said the partnership between Qatar Shell and CNA-Q would be of mutual benefit as Qatar Shell champions innovation and partnerships with locally-based research institutions and universities.
He noted that it is a great step in the journey to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 goals.
