Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) has announced that its next Annual Research Conference (ARC) will take place on March 22 and 23, at the Qatar National Convention Centre, with a newly expanded programme that incorporates several other leading national research and development initiatives.
ARC 2016 will be held under the patronage of QF’s chairperson, HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, to enhance the nation’s innovation and technology capacity while addressing immediate social needs in the community.
ARC 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: cyber and water security, solar and renewable energy, healthcare, and social issues.
ARC 2016 will enable thousands of delegates to engage with these experts through dynamic panel discussions and technical presentations, with the theme of “Investing in Research and Innovating for Society”.
This year the event’s format has been greatly expanded to also include several other major annual R&D initiatives including Innovation Award and Research Project Award, which will celebrate local examples of outstanding, commercially viable innovation.
It also includes the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) Forum, an annual review of recent achievements and future priorities and the National Priorities Research Programme, announcing successful grant applicants and explaining their projects.
Also on the agenda is the 8th Undergraduate Research Experience Programme competition, enabling students to gain invaluable R&D experience under the guidance of faculty members as well as many other satellite events and meetings taking place alongside the main ARC 2016 programme.
Dr Nabeel al-Salem, executive director of Outreach and Communications at QF R&D, said: “This year, we are delighted to announce a major expansion of our remit by welcoming our partners from other national research initiatives. This will enable Qatar’s researchers to better coordinate their efforts and identify the most promising new talent as we all work to deliver the National Research Strategy.”