Qatar
Varsity hosts researchers from Arab-German Academy
Varsity hosts researchers from Arab-German Academy
Forty members of the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (AGYA) visited Qatar University (QU) recently to explore opportunities for research collaboration with institutions and researchers in the country. |
The researchers from academic institutions in Germany, Syria, the UAE, Bahrain, Palestine, Jordan and Scotland were hosted by QU vice-president for research Dr Hassan al-Derham. Included in the group were AGYA president Dr Verena Lepper and AGYA deputy V-P Dr Maha al-Hendawi, who is director of QU’s Core Curriculum and Foundation Programme.
During the meeting, presentations on QU’s research activities were made by representatives of various QU colleges and research centres.
Al-Derham said QU’s vision aligned with AGYA’s aims of advancing academic exchange of outstanding young researchers and supporting joint innovative projects in various fields of research across different disciplines.
“Our focus at Qatar University is on empowering young people with knowledge so that they are able to face challenges within society and proffer positive change-making solutions. The future and well-being of humanity is in their hands and they must be properly equipped.
“Therefore, it is good to see that the first set of 24 members who joined AGYA in 2013 have already started developing and implementing interdisciplinary projects and collaborative initiatives,” he said.
Al-Derham added that while placing emphasis on teaching and research, QU takes special interest in creating an enabling environment and tools that engender research excellence by providing full support to its research community, especially with enormous funding opportunities.
Lepper expressed appreciation for the hospitality the group received during its visit to Qatar, which also included Qatar Foundation.
Al-Hendawi said: “This collaboration will create opportunities and a partnership in research on areas that are important to the development of Qatar and the Arab world. AGYA aims to promote co-operation between outstanding Arab and German researchers in all disciplines and support innovative interdisciplinary projects in various fields of research, policy and education. With this visit, AGYA plans to foster intercultural experiences of its members and promote them as ambassadors of science and culture.”
AGYA advances the academic exchange of young outstanding researchers from Germany and the Arab world and supports joint innovative projects in various fields of research and education across different disciplines in sciences, humanities, social sciences, technical sciences and arts.