Cahir and Prof al-Misnad exchange documents at the signing ceremony yesterday as Dr Alammari, Brigadier al-Kharji and Dr al-Khalifa look on.

 

Qatar Road Safety Studies Centre (QRSSC) at Qatar University (QU) will receive a contribution of QR1mn from ExxonMobil Qatar to support its efforts in raising awareness of road safety and accident prevention.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Interior’s Traffic Department, ExxonMobil Qatar’s support will help the centre conduct research on road safety and provide a long-term vision for road safety in Qatar, in alignment with the National Road Safety Strategy 2013-2022, which is overseen by the National Traffic Safety Committee. 

The announcement was made yesterday at a signing ceremony attended by QU president Prof Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad, Traffic Department director Brigadier Mohamed Saad al-Kharji and ExxonMobil Qatar president and general manager Bart Cahir. Also present were QU leaders, QRSSC director Dr Khalifa al-Khalifa, College of Engineering dean Dr Rashid Alammari, faculty and staff, and representatives from the Traffic Department.

Under the terms of the two-year partnership, QRSSC will conduct research including in-depth analysis of vehicle accidents, safety assessment of school buses, pedestrian traffic studies, traffic management, and safety of Doha’s highways. 

Extensive research will also focus on predicting potentially hazardous road conditions through to 2022. From the research findings, the Centre will run road safety awareness campaigns throughout the country to share information with the community. Additionally, Centre researchers will be supported by senior students at QU to present research findings to the community.

Prof al-Misnad pointed out that road safety is an area of critical importance in a country that is experiencing such rapid development as Qatar. 

“It is incumbent on us to collaborate with like partners ExxonMobil Qatar and the Traffic Department in finding long-term solutions for this issue that stands at the heart of the welfare and safety of the people of Qatar.”

Brigadier al-Kharji thanked Qatar University for its continuous support in providing consultations to the Traffic Department, and ExxonMobil for supporting several of their programmes. 

He stressed the importance of studies and research efforts that target traffic safety, noting that traffic problems are a shared concern and that organisations should assist in raising the community’s awareness of the issue.

“I wish the research project all success, and hope to soon see fruitful findings and results.  The Department will implement the recommendations coming out of these studies,” he added.

Cahir expressed pleasure in partnering with Qatar University and the Traffic Department on an important national initiative, which aims to better protect local residents.

“At ExxonMobil, safety is a core value and we have a steadfast commitment to ensuring a culture of continuous safety excellence.  Both Qatar University and the Traffic Department share this value of ours, and this is a great opportunity for us to work together for the benefit of Qatar’s people.”