Keynote speakers announced for Qatar Foundation's Annual Research Conference

Opening Panelists To Explore ‘Strategic Investment In Research And Innovation For Society’

Doha, Qatar, March 8, 2016:  Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) has announced the keynote speakers for its Annual Research Conference 2016 (ARC’16), which is set to take place on 22nd and 23rd March at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

Aimed at highlighting the importance of strategic investment in research and innovation for the long-term welfare of Qatar, ARC’16 will bring together thought leaders,  scientists, and researchers from Qatar and around the world to discuss trending industry developments. The multitude of conversations expected to take place at the conference will address the nation’s Research Grand Challenges.

The opening keynote panelists for ARC’16 will include Dr Hassan Al-Derham, President of Qatar University; Dr Elias Zerhouni, President of Global R&D, Sanofi, France, and Former Director of the National Institutes of Health, USA; Mr Suresh Sachi, Deputy Managing Director of Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A* Star), Singapore; and Mr Christopher Coburn, Vice President, Innovation, Partners HealthCare, USA.

The keynote panel discussion, entitled ‘Strategic Investment in Research and Innovation for Society’, will be moderated by Dr Maher Hakim, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q).

Dr Hakim commented on the upcoming event, saying: “It is an honour to be moderating the ARC’16 keynote panel discussion. The expert panel will address commercialisation of research and innovation, instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in Qatar’s researchers and scientists, and the encouragement of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s). These topics are central to Qatar’s mission to enhance the nation’s technology innovation and product development capacity. I believe that the wealth of expertise each of the panelists has in his respective field will offer invaluable insights and will make the discussion interesting and rewarding.”

During ARC’16, a number of panel discussions will be held to enable local, regional, and international delegates to discuss a wide range of critical research challenges. These include Qatar's water and cyber security, solar and renewable energy solutions, and healthcare, as well as the social challenges and opportunities facing Qatar and the region.

Furthermore, a series of events organised by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), another member of QF R&D, will run alongside ARC’16. Taking place on 21st March, the 8th Undergraduate Research Experience Program (UREP) enables students to gain invaluable R&D experience under the guidance of senior faculty members. 

In addition, the Sustainable Urbanism Workshop will explore various topics on urban sustainability. At the conference, QNRF will conduct a meeting with the National Research Fund of Korea. 

The Annual Research Conference has served as QF R&D’s flagship event since 2010, providing a unique platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration between Qatar’s brightest scientific minds and leading international researchers as they work to tackle the nation’s Research Grand Challenges.