The Qatar University Centre for Advanced Materials (QU-CAM) held its seventh Materials Science and Engineering Symposium recently.
The event was organised in conjunction with Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq) and sponsored by Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco).  
Held under the theme “Academia and Industry: Fostering Innovation through Collaboration”, the symposium brought together more than 100 researchers, academics and industrial experts. It aimed to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas among experts from various disciplines as well as identify and address prospects for future interdisciplinary collaborations.
Attendees included QU Qapco polymer chair Professor Igor Krupa and QU Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited chair Prof Syed Zaidi, University of Cambridge head of Electric Carbon Nanomaterials Group Dr Krzysztof Koziol, Tamuq regents Professor Dallas Little, Qapco learning and development manager Abdulla Naji as well as QU and Tamuq faculty, students and staff.
QU V-P for research and graduate studies Professor Mariam al-Maadeed and Tamuq vice-dean Dr Eyad Masad delivered the welcome remarks at the opening ceremony.
The keynote speaker, Qapco chief operations officer Yousuf Rebeeh, presented on “Academia and Industry: Fostering Innovation through Collaboration”.
The programme agenda comprised a panel discussion on “Key to successful industry-academia partnerships” and eight sessions presented by experts from CAM, Tamuq, Cambridge University, Qatalum, Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre and Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute.
Topics included “Innovative method of polymer stabilisation of soils”, “Role of nanotechnology in erosion protection”, “Aluminium & non-hydrocarbon industries - an educational experience in Qatar”, “Direct methanol fuel cell: a sustainable green energy technology”, “Impacting Qatar for a sustainable energy future: building stronger connections between industry and academia”, “Structural health monitoring: selected case studies” and more.
The event also included presentations by two QU materials science and technology Masters students, Abdullah Holozadeh and Sara Ahmad. They gave an overview of their working experience with the industry as part of their MSc thesis.
Professor al-Maadeed said, “One of the primary research aims of Qatar University is to expand the relevance of research it carries out and effectively employ it to overcome local challenges, which necessitates industry-academia collaboration.”
Dr Masad noted, “The partnership between Texas A&M University at Qatar and Qatar University continues to grow stronger and more strategic. We are highly appreciative of the support from Qapco that made it possible to continue to organise the materials symposium and develop partnerships with the industry.”