H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with the winners of the Best Research and Best Innovation Awards during Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference 2018 at the Qatar National Convention Center, yesterday. Pic: Aisha Al Musallam
DOHA: The Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference 2018 (ARC’18) yesterday opened in the presence of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, to discuss how the country’s research and innovation efforts can address the local needs, and make a mark in the global marketplace.
The opening of the two-day conference was also attended by H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, and several other dignitaries at the Qatar National Convention Center.
“Research offers a significant contribution to promoting human capital development and supporting the growth of local institutions throughout the region, thus helping to provide security that can mitigate the current turmoil in the region,” said H E Sheikha Hind opening the conference under the theme ‘R&D: Focusing on Priorities, Delivering Impact.’
“Our belief in the importance of innovation, research, and development has increased following the blockade imposed on our beloved country. It has motivated us to strive for economic independence and devote our efforts to make Qatar a regional and international center for research and development, through co-operation with partners, governments, and research institutions, both locally and globally. This blockade represents a challenge for us to persevere and pursue innovation; we see it as an opportunity to continue co-operation and research partnerships and to make further contribution to the development of Qatar.
“Here comes the role of the Annual Research Conference, which stems from Qatar Foundation’s efforts to address major national challenges, contribute to the establishment of a diverse and sustainable economy, and provide effective and impactful solutions. Focusing on national priorities, this conference recognizes solution-based research as the best means for greater prosperity and regional security,” she added.
The seventh edition of ARC organised by Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) provides a platform for knowledge-sharing and multidisciplinary collaboration. It has brought together more than 2,500 local and international delegates.
H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, at the QF Annual Research Conference at the Qatar National Convention Center. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah and H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani also attended the event. Pic: AR Al-Baker
The Opening Plenary Session of the conference also saw H H Sheikha Moza presenting the ARC’18 ‘Best Research Project Award’ to Dr Talal Khader Talal of Hamad Medical Corporation, and Dr David Armstrong of the University of Southern California, in recognition of their collaborative project ‘Tackling Diabetic Foot Ulcer’; and the ARC’18 ‘Best Innovation Award’ to Hamad Bin Khalifa University, in recognition of the Advanced Transcription System (QATS), an Arabic language speech recognition technology, developed by Qatar Computing Research Institute.
The conference’s keynote address was given by Vivek Kundra, former Chief Information Officer of the US on ‘Leading Change and Challenges of Transformation.’
“Research and development succeeds where countries have been able to attract global talent not just to build great research institutes, but to identify a path to commercializing their technology.
“There is no monopoly on thinking. You just have to be able to unleash your citizens’ creative spirit, dreams, and aspirations to build your nation’s next economy,” he said.
Kundra then joined a panel discussion with Dr Al Sada and others, which reflected the ARC’18 theme ‘R&D: Focusing on Priorities, Delivering Impact’.
In reply to a question by the moderator on cyber security during the discussion, Dr Al Sada said:
“The threat of cyber security has become more dangerous because it is now time of sabotage, time of attacks on businesses and government entities. Qatar’s experience today is that we do as much as possible from our side, because attacks are coming from cross borders. Since its primarily coming from abroad we need international collaboration. We need international conventional agreements signed and implemented, so that those who commit crimes don’t just get away easily.”
Three tracks, focusing on key themes that span the cycle of research and innovation form the basis of ARC’18 and all sessions and presentations being relate to the four thematic pillars defined in the Qatar National Research Strategy (QNRS) – Energy and Environment; Computing and Information Technology; Health and Biomedical; and Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. The two day conference will conclude today.
