Research, development, and innovation are the cornerstones of Qatar Foundation (QF), and the roots of the organisation’s commitment to fostering it stretch back more than 25 years ago to the point of its establishment.
QF aimed to foster a new culture of scientific research in Qatar, with the aim of making the country a hub for research and innovation, and a destination for scientists across the Arab world.
From its beginnings, QF has believed that science, research, and innovation are a vital pillar in building a sustainable, diversified economy; one in which researchers and innovators can develop pioneering solutions that address national challenges while also having the potential for global impact.
QF’s leadership anticipated tomorrow, and responded by creating Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), Qatar National Research Fund, national research institutes and a series of initiatives and programmes that drive innovative breakthroughs and inspire.
During The Untold Stories of Qatar Foundation, AbdulRedha AbdulRahman, who played an instrumental role in the establishment of QSTP, said: “The idea of Qatar Science & Technology Park was born from the name of the institution of which it would be part: Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.
“I began to think about the importance of community development, and having an educated Qatari society that conceived innovative ideas grounded in the reality of current and future needs. We recognised that we needed quality education to meet the aspirations of the community in Qatar.
"So, when thinking about QF, community development forms the base of the triangle, education is the second side, and research is the third side that completes the QF triangle."
AbdulRahman explained how the RDI landscape that QF created came from realisation of Qatar’s need for research focusing on gas-related technology, and converting liquified natural gas into materials that could add economic and intellectual value.
“We emphasised the importance of creating a destination for innovation, both for researchers and graduates of Education City universities, where academic professors and scientists would work side by side with graduates and students, especially in the field of chemical engineering,” he said. “The aim was to conduct research related to the production of materials that could generate economic benefit and added value for Qatar and its people.
“To build this model, we visited several science and technology parks that were in the process of development, in order to assess what we need while always considering the vision for QF. We travelled to scientific facilities in the US state of North Carolina; the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford in the UK, and Virginia Commonwealth University in the US. And at that time, we realized that we were moving in the right direction towards the localisation of knowledge, because we were looking to promote a culture of innovation in Qatar in order to meet our national needs.”
The importance of QF’s innovation TV show Stars of Science in this process of RDI culture-building was also emphasised during The Untold Stories of Qatar Foundation. Launched in 2009, its aim was to empower a new generation of Arab innovators, with its creation reflecting the popularity of ‘reality’ TV programmes among the region’s youth.
Dr Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad highlighted: “The relationship between QF and national institutions is close and integrated, because QF was established to support the development process of the country.
“For example, QF provides support to national institutions within the health sector, as there are many joint projects and research between QF partner universities and institutions such as Qatar University and Hamad Medical Corporation; and continuous cooperation with ministries."
 
 
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