Dr. Mounir Hamdi
Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE) aspires to be a leading college committed to excellence in research and education, with a major emphasis on interdisciplinary research and scholarship.
At present the college offers the largest selection of programmes within the university, said Dr. Mounir Hamdi, Founding Dean, College of Science and Engineering at HBKU.
“We have found that multidisciplinary and research-led education are the key ingredients to developing solid programmes that can help the nation respond and address challenges more proactively,” Dr. Hamdi told The Peninsula.
“The advanced research and conducive multidisciplinary environment at the college enables tackling global issues in the areas of sustainable energy, information and computing technology, and engineering management and decision science, from a multidimensional and multi-layered perspective,” he added.
CSE works to unearth solutions for the nation’s most critical challenges. It offers pioneering programmes across the areas of sustainable development, information and computing technologies, and engineering management and decision sciences.
“We have a long-standing technological partnership with several companies and ministries to advance Qatar’s public and private sectors and align with its ambitious developmental plans. As Qatar looks to transform itself into a knowledge-based economy in line with its National Vision 2030, it is prioritising investments in ICT infrastructure and sustainable development to fuel its next phase of growth.
“Our college trains students to play a key role in these areas by encouraging them to produce solid scientific contributions and tangible outcomes with commercialisation and knowledge transfer potential (e.g., intellectual property, prototypes, and policy recommendations) in their research,” said Dr. Hamdi.
CSE has established three divisions in the fields of Information and Communications Technologies; Sustainable Development; and Engineering Management and Decisions Sciences. The information and communication technologies are becoming more multidisciplinary with more emphasis on solving data science and digitisation issues in health, environment, finance, education, defence and other disciplines.
In addition, the Sustainable Energy and Sustainable Environment programmes address important issues facing the region in energy and environment. “Moving toward a sustainable society presents a series of interdependent, multidisciplinary and conflicting challenges for all professions so our programmes aim to engage rigorous multidisciplinary research and education to address these challenges.”
Logistics and supply chain management as a core component of the division of Engineering Management and Decision Sciences, forms the core of any country’s commerce and trade industries, both those that operate within and outside its borders.
“As Qatar invests in strengthening its existing world-class land, air and seaport infrastructure to leverage greater advantage of its geo-strategic position and charter new trading routes, it will need a strong local supply of professionals with diverse and multidisciplinary expertise,” said Dr. Hamdi.
The 2021 edition of the global university rankings, Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities, has listed HBKU in the top 150 for Computer Science and Engineering, placing it first in Qatar and third in the MENA region.
This ranking also listed HBKU among the top universities in the areas of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering.
“Students can be assured of the calibre of our distinguished faculty and highly ranked programmes at CSE. Students enrolled in these programmes will be given the opportunity to engage in groundbreaking, cutting-edge research and will join their faculty to work in laboratories of prestigious research institutes in Qatar and around the world. Expert faculty will integrate their research into their classes, creating an enriching academic experience for students that extend beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Hamdi.
