QU signs pact with Saudi varsity to promote research collaboration

Qatar University (QU) and King Saud University (KSU) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their existing partnership and promote research collaboration among institutions in the GCC region.
The agreement was signed by QU vice president for research and graduate studies professor Mariam al-Maadeed and KSU vice-president for graduate studies and research Prof Ahmed Salim al-Aameri in the presence of QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham, as well as other officials from both institutions.
The agreement aims to build national human capital and strengthen links between researchers and develop research networks in the GCC region.
The terms of the agreement include exchange of students and visiting scholars and collaboration in the area of hosting visiting delegations. Both institutions will also co-operate in establishing joint research projects and cultural programmes, as well as internship opportunities.
The agreement will contribute to strengthening the GCC-Wide Universities Funding Programme, initiated earlier this year by QU and other universities in the region.
The programme aims to build bridges and break barriers between institutions in the GCC region, create a genuine market for GCC region grant challenges, generate more research capabilities and expertise within the GCC region, and further enhance regional research networking.
Dr Hassan al-Derham highlighted the importance of the collaboration with KSU, one of the most prestigious universities in the region, especially in the field of research and community service. He also expressed his hope to establish a joint research fund to support the research projects, which are conducted by researchers in the GCC.
Prof Mariam al-Maadeed stated that the agreement will contribute to build trust and strengthen links between institutions in the region. “It will also provide excellent research outcomes and resources to develop the national human capital towards building a knowledge-based economy.
“Cross national research projects can only be successfully undertaken when universities join hands and collaborate on such projects. The success of our research outcomes would be deepened when we compare notes and work with colleagues from universities in the region, especially when funding resources are pooled together.”
Prof al-Aameri said the MoU will document the closer partnership between the two countries and promote research and academic collaboration between the two distinguished institutions.
“The MoU will also facilitate the exchange of researchers and students and provide a platform to ease accessibility to graduate students in the GCC for the purpose of R&D training, capacity building and increase the number of outstanding researchers in the  GCC countries.”