Qatar University (QU) and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday covering several areas including the exchange of technical expertise, and consultancy and training.
Co-operation with experts in QU in conducting social, health and medical research that meets the needs of Qatar’s residents and its elderly; making use of QU’s research centres and study areas; and jointly organising seminars, debates and workshops in particular areas of interest are also part of the MoU.
Present at the signing were Prof Mariam al-Ali al-Maadeed, vice president, Research and Graduate Studies, QU; Dr Saleh bin Ali al-Marri, assistant secretary general for medical affairs at the MoPH, as well as a number of vice presidents and senior officials from both sides.
Through the MoU, the two parties aim to organise exhibitions with the aim of enriching knowledge about shared interests.
They also agree to provide vocational training to university students, by involving them in the MoPH or MoPH organised research and activities, and conducting research and studies that support the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes that contribute to the development of the social life and health of Qatar’s elderly population.
The MoU also includes the formation of working committees and teams that will work together to ensure the outcome, and the preparation of an executive programme or several programmes between the different administrative sectors both at QU and the ministry.
Prof al-Maadeed said that the MoU aims to effectively contribute to providing appropriate services to senior citizens, who are an important part of Qatar’s society.
She added that QU is greatly investing in serving the needs of its community and offering its expertise in this field.
The MoU comes after a series of meetings where the MoPH communicated the needs of the community and discussions were held on how QU can offer its expertise to help in the required areas.
The two parties formed working teams that studied the needs and developed appropriate plans to work, which helped form this agreement.
Dr al-Marri said the signing of the MoU comes within the framework of the MoPH’s belief in the vital and effective role that ministries and government bodies have in servicing the nation and the community.
He praised the university's co-operation with the MoPH and the presentation of its expertise in the service of this important group of society.
