DOHA, Qatar, June 26, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On
June 5, the political landscape in
the Arabian Gulf was plunged into a state of disarray when
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain not only cut official diplomatic ties
with Qatar, but also halted all
land, air and sea traffic from and to the
gas-rich country.
While this unprecedented situation in the Middle East remains unresolved, it has been
business as usual in Qatar, with
daily life virtually unchanged. Qatar's long-term goal to transition to a
knowledge-based economy also hasn't changed, and to that end, Qatar
Foundation (QF) remains stalwart in its support young Arab
scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs. While the political
landscape remains hazy, QF's commitment to development and
innovation is unwavering—and more important than ever.
Long before the diplomatic dispute turned the world's eyes to
Qatar, QF was one of the most
prominent drivers of innovation in the region. Its numerous
initiatives, projects and partnership reflect one of the most
important pillars of the country: transitioning from a carbon-based
economy toward one rooted in building academic knowledge and
leadership in research and development (R&D).
"This is not a journey that you stop just because the current
political environment has been distorted," says Dr. Hamad Al-Ibrahim, Executive Vice President of QF
Research & Development (QF R&D). "We at QF recognize that
given the opportunity, today's young people will be the driving
force of meaningful change. For this reason, we continue to work
hard to provide opportunities that are designed to unleash the
creative and innovative talents of the youth. This is especially
pertinent in today's climate. Even amidst this regional backdrop,
we will not stop fostering a culture of innovation within
Qatar. You cannot put a blockade
on innovation and you cannot hinder the human thirst for
knowledge."
Virtually every center under QF is involved in nurturing the
innovative spirit in Qatar. QF has
established several dedicated research centers to target key needs
facing the country, including Qatar Biomedical Research Institute
(QBRI), Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI),
and Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI).
Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), inaugurated in 2009,
incubates tech start-up businesses by providing office and lab
space, as well support programs and access to partnerships with
other QF entities, such as the universities of Education City. QSTP
start-ups have already made significant advances in a range of
fields, from blood banking to carbon capture.
Nurturing young talent is a high priority for Qatar. The eight international universities on
QF's Education City campus have driven research in their
specialized areas, such as Texas A&M
University at Qatar's Gas and Fuels Research Center and
Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar's
biomedical research program.
Even as QF enriches innovative minds within Qatar's borders, it is also doing the same
across the Arab world. Stars of Science is a highly regarded Arabic
language 'edutainment' reality TV program that enables aspiring
entrepreneurs, inventors and scientists to present their
innovations to a panel of expert judges. Four finalists vie for a
share of $600,000 in seed
funding.
A multitude of young men and women from across the Arab world
have taken part in Stars of Science throughout its nine seasons,
presenting possible solutions to some of the region's most pressing
challenges. And today, the impact of these innovations is being
felt across the world. For example, Ahmad
Al Ghazi, a Saudi national, parlayed his appearance in
season 2 into stints at QSTP and Silicon Valley, where he earned
three patents for Goom, his motorized walker and assistive standing
device designed for the elderly and handicapped. Algerian
veterinarian Dr. Mohammed Doumir,
who won season five for inventing boots designed to diagnose
limping in camels, was able to start a now-thriving business under
QSTP.
"Stars of Science inspires people like me around the Arab world
and ignites their ambition. I believe that these same young people
will not be distracted or deterred by political issues in the
region; that they are focused on their dreams and how they can be
achieved," says Doumir. "Qatar
shares the same dreams, in terms of its investment in human
potential and science and research, and it too will not be deterred
from reaching its goals."
Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community
Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports
Qatar on its journey to becoming a
diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people
of Qatar and beyond by providing
specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of
education, research and development, and community development.
QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir, and
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to
provide Qatar with quality
education. Today, QF's world-class education system offers lifelong
learning opportunities to community members as young as six months
through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global
environment and contribute to the nation's development.
QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in
Qatar, where homegrown researchers
are working to address local and global research and development
challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and
fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari
culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and
contributing to a better world for all.
For a complete list of QF's initiatives and projects, visit
http://www.qf.org.qa.
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SOURCE Qatar Foundation