Officials during the fourth annual tadTalks event hosted by Qatar University
Doha: The Research and Graduate Studies Sector at Qatar University (QU) recently hosted the fourth annual tadTalks event.
tadTalks (thesis and dissertation) sponsored by Huawei was established in 2019 to build a strong graduate community in Qatar, voice the experiences of graduate researchers from around the globe, and share strategies for success in graduate study with current and prospective graduate students.
In the past four years, 21 universities from 13 countries have participated in tadTalks. This year, QU welcomed graduate students from the United States, South Africa, Italy, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Qatar including speakers from Qatar University, Texas A&M at Qatar, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Hamad bin Khalifa University, and University of Calgary, Qatar.
This year’s event also showcased QU’s rising researchers in the Junior tadTalks segment in which students from the Honor’s Program, Core Curriculum Program, and Young Scientists Center shared their experiences participating in research projects.
Qatar University President, Dr. Hassan Al Derham stated in his opening remarks: “The diverse audience of prominent figures in higher education, industry, and media in attendance at this year’s event signals our shared commitment to supporting the graduate community in Qatar and is evidence of the value placed on graduate researchers’ contribution to the knowledge economy.
Group photo of students.
This year’s event is special for having the signing of MoU with University of Houston – Clear Lake within its agenda, which establishes an academic collaboration in graduate studies development. We also would like to present our appreciation to Huawei in Qatar for their contribution and support in organizing today’s event as an exclusive sponsor, and their participation in bringing tadTalks 2022 to success.”
Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies, Professor Mariam Al Maadeed, added, “Events like QU’s tadTalks, tad Boot Camp, National 3MT, and the MENA 3MT (a collaboration with HBKU) are initiatives to build a strong graduate community in Qatar and strengthen relations with national and international universities and stakeholders. We are already seeing the fruits of these efforts, and we are looking forward to what’s to come.”
Alex Zhang, Managing Director of Huawei Enterprise Business Group, Gulf North, commented: “Qatar is undergoing a rapid digital transformation. To continue building Qatar’s future digital economy, it is imperative that we invest in R&Q talent development. We believe that education and cultivating talent are crucial to the growth and development of Qatar. Therefore, Huawei is to maintain its long-term collaboration with the industry and academic partners to shape a brighter future of talent ecosystem in Qatar.”
The keynote address was delivered by Qatar Press Center President, Saad Al Rumaihi, who shared his journey of resilience in becoming a media icon inspiring current and prospective graduate students to take up the challenge of making a meaningful and lasting contribution to society.
The opening ceremony also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between QU and the University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL) for joint cooperation in the areas of research and graduate studies; the MoU marked the first tadTalks event to be held outside of Qatar at UHCL next fall.
The event drew in many high-profile guests including former Minister of Energy, H E Dr. Mohammad Al Sada, and professional footballer, Almoez Ali.
