The Centre for Sustainable Development (CSD) at Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS) and Qatari Diar Vinci Construction (QDVC) recently signed an agreement to establish a joint research project about algae-based bio products.
The agreement aims to support high-quality research and development activities relating to CO2 capture and sequestration into innovative algal products. These products could potentially be used in road or construction sectors, and support sustainable development in Qatar.
The agreement was signed by QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham and QDVC CEO Yanick Garillon in the presence of CAS dean Dr Eiman Mustafawi, CAS associate deans for Academic Affairs Dr Hassan Abdulaziz, for Outreach and Engagement Dr Khalifa Hazaa, for Planning and Quality Assurance Dr Steven Wright, and for Research and Graduate Studies Dr Mohamed Ahmedna; CSD director Dr Hamad al-Saad al-Kuwari, CSD project manager of Algal Technologies Programme Hareb al- Jabri, QDVC Chief Support Services Officer Sheikha Athba al-Thani, QDVC head of PR and Communication Ferial Bouchaib, and QVCD Corporate Social Responsibility co-ordinator Marie Marvillet.
The agreement includes research to determine suitable algae strains for production of algal products dedicated to long-term carbon sequestration. It also includes the development of a lab-scale biomass conversion process of identified algae to test the products’ quality and optimise biomass productivity and CO2 fixation efficiency.
Dr al-Derham said: “I am confident that this agreement will support high-quality research into carbon sequestration technologies that can be linked to the production of valuable products. It is a great significance for Qatar as it addresses multiple pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. I am proud to see Qatar University taking a leading academic role in Qatar’s development towards a more sustainable society, through our newly established Centre for Sustainable Development under the College of Arts and Sciences.”
Garillon said: “The new collaboration between QU and QDVC will not only aim at the production of various algae-based bio products, but also solve the pressing issues related to sustainable development and fully aligned with QNV 2030. This four-year project aims at developing CO2 sequestration technologies through algal products that could be used for road or other construction sectors. It is an innovative initiative that also involves the Eurovia Research Centre based in France.”
Dr Hassan al-Derham presents a memento to QDVC CEO Yanick Garillon.
