By Bonnie James/Deputy News EditorIn an age when combating doping is a major challenge in the world of sport, a new partnership between Qatar University (QU) and the Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar (ADLQ) promises to develop and train scientists and researchers in a highly specialised field which uses some of the most advanced technology.QU, the first and only national university in Qatar, and the ADLQ, the only one of its kind in the Middle East, yesterday signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further co-operate in areas including research, training and teaching.The agreement was signed by QU vice president and chief financial officer Dr Humaid al-Midfaa on behalf of President Prof Sheikha al-Misnad and ADLQ general manager Dr Mohamed al-Sayrafi, in the presence of senior faculty members and staff from both organisations.The MoU promotes co-operation between faculty members and researchers of QU and ADLQ, particularly in terms of visits by and exchange of graduate and undergraduate students for training, study and research. It also covers visits by and exchange of staff for research, training, teaching and discussions; as well as joint research collaboration and academic activities QU and ADLQ.In a message, Prof al-Misnad stated that the agreement brings together two centres of regional excellence to share expertise for the benefit of Qatar and beyond.“QU faculty and students will have the chance to work with some of the most advanced technology and learn practical skills which will play an important role in their careers as leading scientists and researchers,” she observed. Dr al-Sayrafi, who described QU as “my university” explained that ADLQ, inaugurated on December 10, 2012, by HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, already has collaborations with several universities from across the world.“We have PhD students from University College London doing research in our labs, and hopefully three PhD students are expected to enrol in QU, followed by more Master’s students,” he revealed.Asserting that the collaboration is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, specifically the Human Development pillar, Dr al-Sayrafi said the partnership will definitely benefit both sides and the country as a whole. “I am confident that we will be announcing the positive outcome of this collaboration soon,” he added. ADLQ, housed in a purpose-built three-storey building in Aspire Zone, is a state-of-the-art facility to provide anti-doping testing for athletes across the Gulf region as well as West Asia.The objective is to administer doping control tests during competition, training and even in the off-season to catch cheats and protect athletes. Equipped with the most modern technology and a team of specialists from across the world, ADLQ can provide testing for all known forms of doping including testosterone, amphetamines, blood doping (reinfusion), anabolic steroids, erythropoietin, human growth hormone, beta blockers and even the newest form of doping - genetic doping (modifying genes to enhance performance).