ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) and Qatar University (QU) have signed an agreement to launch the Qatar University ExxonMobil Research Scholars Programme - the most recent of several research collaborations shared by EMRQ and QU.
The agreement was signed by Alistair Routledge, president and general manager for ExxonMobil Qatar, and Dr Hassan Rashid al-Derham, president of Qatar University, during a ceremony that took place at the QU campus in the presence of faculty members, university administrators, and ExxonMobil Qatar and EMRQ staff.
EMRQ and QU have a shared commitment to advance science and technology in Qatar through research and development, and to promote academic excellence through strategic investment in human capital, innovative technology and state-of-the-art facilities.
As part of the research scholars agreement, QU and EMRQ intend to develop programmes designed to not only promote academic and industry relations, but also to foster innovation and facilitate the development and use of state-of-the-art technology.
QU and EMRQ will also mutually support a number of post-graduate research projects in the fields of environmental risk assessment, and monitoring and water re-use. These research projects are intended to lead to academic publications, which encourage the academic development of students.
“Qatar University is an ideal partner with whom we can continue to promote educational excellence because we share a vision and commitment to developing the next generation of scientists and engineers - the ones that will carry Qatar forward into a prosperous future,” said Routledge.
“Our research efforts with the university have made a significant impact in Qatar over the years, and we are positive this particular collaboration will deliver many more benefits for the country and its people.”
Dr al-Derham recalled that QU’s relationship with ExxonMobil has facilitated a number of projects that have benefitted students and researchers and contributed considerably to the goal of promoting a vibrant
culture of research at QU.
“We are especially enthusiastic about partnering with ExxonMobil Research Qatar on this initiative and look forward to reaping the fruits of this collaboration in the form of outstanding research output, notably in the areas of environmental risk assessment, and monitoring and water re-use for the benefit of our students, researchers and the industry.”
EMRQ research director Dr Jennifer Dupont said teams from both the institutions have been actively working together on a number of programmes to build research and technology capacity in Qatar that will help advance industry and academia in the country.
“I am certain that this collaboration will go a long way in fostering innovation, and will strengthen STEM-based research by providing a stimulating and supportive research environment for Qatar’s future scientists and researchers.”
EMRQ and QU undertook their initial joint project in 2010, a comprehensive ecological baseline study conducted with QU’s Environmental Studies Centre. It involved the ecologically rich and biologically productive area along a 35 km stretch of the Qatar Marine Zone (QMZ) that extended 20km offshore and as far as 1km inland. The study, which included a comprehensive ecosystem analysis, identified scores of species not previously documented in the QMZ.
In 2010, EMRQ also launched its Water Re-Use Research Programme, as part of which QU and EMRQ announced in 2012 the university’s appointment to conduct a 12-month QR2.2mn study. The goal of the study was to develop technologies that would utilise industrial water in ways that are beneficial to Qatar. The study also assessed the potential to treat industrial waste water through phytoremediation, a process using plants to naturally clean the water.
EMRQ and QU officials at the deal signing ceremony.
