The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (DBES) at Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences held its ninth annual Qatar University Life Sciences Symposium recently.
The forum themed “Global Changes: the Arabian Gulf ecosystem” was sponsored by Qatar Foundation and in partnership with QScience.com. It brought together researchers, experts, and scientists from Qatar, GCC and international academic and research institutions to exchange ideas and experiences with the aim to advance existing and emerging knowledge on the issue.
Also attending were faculty and students from DBES and secondary-education students from Qatar Leadership Academy, Ibn Taimiya Independent High School, International School of London-Qatar, and the American School of Doha.
QU vice president and chief academic officer Dr Mazen Hasna delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony followed by DBES head Dr Fatma al-Naemi who opened the forum. Dr Carlos Duarte of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology delivered the keynote address on “Global Changes in Marine Ecosystems: Implications for Semi-Enclosed Arabian Seas”
Dr Hasna said: “This symposium has established itself as a leading forum that promotes dialogue and exchange of ideas among outstanding scientists whose research is focused on the Gulf region and similar environments. In its earlier editions, the forum addressed other important topics such as environmental health, the marine environment, mangrove habitats, and biotechnology, among others – all of which are of paramount importance and relevance to Qatar, the region, and the wider international scientific community”.
Presentations were delivered by faculty and researchers from  Qatar University, Texas A&M University, NOVA Southeastern University, Bangor University, University of Copenhagen, University of New York at Abu Dhabi, Aarhus University, Maersk Oil Research& Technology Centre, ExxonMobil Research Qatar, Qatar Ministry of Environment, Qatar Natural Museum, and University of Wales.
Dr al-Naemi said: “The symposium presents a platform for discussion on current and relevant topics in life sciences. This year, for the first time, we are partnered with QScience, who has already published online 38 abstracts that will be presented during the symposium”.
The forum concluded with a field trip to Al Khor mangrove as an opportunity for science students and scientists of other disciplines to interact with the conference experts on various aspects of Qatar’s marine and coastal ecosystem.