Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS) hosted the second International Conference on “Physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Argument for Salt Tolerance”.
The three-day conference was organised by CAS Centre for Sustainable Development (CSD) in conjunction with Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) and Qatar Airways. It aimed to provide a platform for scholars and professionals who are interested in halophyte research in the GCC to share and exchange their ideas and expertise in the various fields of study.
It drew more than 200 attendees including faculty and students from local, regional and international educational institutions. Attending the opening ceremony were QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham, CAS dean Dr Eiman Mustafawi, associate dean for research and graduate affairs Dr Mohamed Ahmedna, and CSD director Dr Hamad al-Saad
al-Kuwari among others.
The opening lecture was delivered by QNRF civil engineering and environmental programme manager Dr Mohammed al-Sheyab who gave an overview of the research ecosystem in Qatar and QNRF’s role in supporting research, and professor of biology at QU Environmental Science Centre, Ekhlas Abdelbary, who delivered a presentation on “Update on Halophyte Taxonomy”.
Discussions focused on a wide range of topics such as “Microbiome of halophytes growing in Khewra Salt Ranges”, “Transcriptomic analysis of the succulent xerophyte zygophyllum xanthoxylum in response to salt treatment and osmotic stress”, “Genetic studies of salinity tolerance mechanisms” and “Floating mangroves - an innovative multi-purpose approach for the production of seawater-based biofuel, cash crop halophytes and climate change mitigation”.
Dr Mustafawi said: “I am delighted to see scholars from around the world discussing new interdisciplinary approaches to enhance food and water security and to make a contribution towards promoting sustainable development, which is one of the tenets of Qatar National Vision 2030. I am certain that the topics discussed at this conference will benefit the field of halophyte research.”
Dr al-Kuwari said: “This conference reflects the centre’s mission to increase awareness and understanding of the concept of sustainable development in Qatar and beyond, as well as its commitment to advancing and promoting research in a way that will serve the country’s development and progress.”
