Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), following a visit by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), to South Korea last year.
The signing was attended by Dr Hamad al-Ibrahim, executive vice president, QF R&D; Dr Dirar Khoury, executive director, Research Co-ordination and Special Initiatives, QF R&D; and Dr Frans Van Den Boom, executive director, Policy, Planning, and Evaluations, QF R&D.
The MoU signing will allow QF R&D to incorporate KISTEP’s leading strategies and expertise in the fields of research, science, and technology. It will use this expertise to follow KISTEP’s successful model, which has resulted in rapid economic growth in South Korea due to the advancement of its science and technology abilities.
Dr al-Ibrahim hailed the signing, saying: “KISTEP shares a similar vision and mission to QF R&D, and that’s why partnering with KISTEP comes as a logical strategic step, where we exchange expertise and utilise both networks to further the research agenda. Partnering with KISTEP will fill the uncertainty gap and will help us to prepare better business plans through KISTEP’s very sophisticated tools, such as foresight technology planning.”
Prof Young Ah Park, president, KISTEP, said: “Through signing today’s MoU, we hope to share our knowledge and experience in science and technology planning, coordination, and evaluation systems with QF R&D. As both QF R&D and KISTEP dedicate efforts to establish national policy and development strategies for the advancement of science and technology, I believe we can share valuable insights to promote innovation and the joint growth of both our countries.”