QU-CENG hosts university industry network session

Representatives from leading industries and government agencies attended a university industry network session hosted by Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) to highlight the relevant engineering research priorities of Qatar National Research Fund’s (QNRF) National Priorities Research Programme (NPRP) 10th cycle and identify opportunities for collaboration between academics and stakeholders.The event was attended by CENG dean Dr Khalifa al-Khalifa, QNRF’s Information and Communication Technology Programme director Dr Munir Tag, CENG associate deans for Academic Affairs Prof Abdelmagid Hammuda, for development and industrial relations Dr Saud Ghani, and for Research and Graduate Studies Prof Abbes Amira, and QU director of research support Dr Aiman Erbad, as well as CENG faculty and staff.The programme included a presentation on CENG’s multidisciplinary research priorities presented by Prof Amira, and presentations delivered by Dr Tag and Dr Erbad. Highlighted topics were ICT, materials and nanotechnology, energy and environment, biomedical engineering, and infrastructure and livable environments.Dr al-Khalifa described that the event aligned with CENG’s ongoing efforts to provide services that fulfil the requirements and needs of the local business and industry. “This will contribute to promoting the existing research activities between academia and industry, while advancing further partnerships between both sectors in the field of research, which will benefit the society in Qatar and the region.”Dr Tag recalled that QNRF has been funding research over the last decade during which the focus was on building capacity, capability and infrastructure. “We are now focusing on research impact on the economy and the society in Qatar. Such interaction will help in addressing problems and challenges through our research funding programmes and lead to more innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities in the country.”Prof Amira said the event highlighted the spirit of collaboration between academia and industry, and its crucial role in providing outstanding outcomes that address needs related to academics and stakeholders.Dr Erbad observed that the research sector at QU is building platforms of collaborations between researchers and industry to help QU researchers develop the industrial sector, its services and products. “The role of industry is important to guide the research towards finding solutions for today’s challenges.”