The upcoming Annual Research Conference (ARC 2013), organised by Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D), will display some of the innovative technologies developed by the research institutes of Qatar Foundation.
The conference will help address some of the country’s research “grand challenges”, such as the latest innovations in  sustainable solutions for natural resources. The conference will take place at Qatar National Convention Centre on   November 24-25.
Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), a principal constituent QF R&D that conducts research to support Qatar’s energy independence, water sustainability and food self-sufficiency goals, will play a pivotal role at the conference by bringing together global leaders to discuss and debate issues in these critical areas and by sharing its own innovations in energy and water security.
Dr Mohamed Khaleel, executive director of QEERI, said: “The Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference provides the perfect opportunity for research institutes to share details about projects and plans with people, academics and industry leaders within Qatar. We can explain exactly how our work will help reach national goals, increase and build human capacity and ensure that industries in Qatar are successful. It also gives us the chance to hear from world-renowned experts and learn how other nations deal with similar challenges.”
World-renowned experts will come together at the conference under the theme of “Qatar’s Cross-cutting Research Grand Challenges” to debate issues and combine efforts in order to forge ahead and address the challenges outlined in Qatar National Research Strategy.
Dr Ramesh Ramamoorthy, deputy laboratory director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will speak on the technological innovations and cutting-edge activities needed for Qatar to utilise solar energy in a cost-effective manner. Dr Adel al-Sharif, research director of Water Desalination and Reuse at QEERI and an expert in forward osmosis membrane technology used to desalinate water, will share the centre’s work in bringing this new technology
to Qatar.
The conference will serve as a venue to highlight other research grand challenges, including protecting the nation’s cyber infrastructure, developing an integrated, modernised healthcare system and supporting Arabic culture, arts, heritage, media and language, among others. Other QF R&D constituents such as Qatar Biomedical Research Institute and Qatar Computing Research Institute will also be looking at ways to address some of these challenges.