The Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).
The agreement will establish a framework that enables QNRF and NRF to collaborate on programmes and activities of common interest, exchanging ideas and experiences.
The initiative comes as part of preparations for both parties to enter into a co-operation agreement in the near future, which will cover the entire spectrum of academic research including joint research, joint seminars and researcher exchange, among others.
Prof Min Keun Chung, NRF president and Dr Abdul Sattar al-Taie, executive director of QNRF, highlighted the importance of such collaborations to address areas of common interest.
Dr al-Taie described the MoU as a very important step on the way to developing a co-operative agreement with a well-established research entity like the National Research Foundation of Korea.
“We are glad to further our relationships with the Republic of Korea to strengthen our portfolio of international collaboration. I am confident that this MoU will open doors for important mutual benefits for our organisations in the near future.”
Prof Chung stated that the partnership is an excellent opportunity to initiate a fruitful and constructive collaboration with Qatar.
“We are very excited to start a long-term relationship, working together on joint programmes and activities, and exchanging ideas,” he said.
Alongside representatives from QNRF, a large delegation from Qatar attended the meeting, including officials from Qatar Foundation Research and Development, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Qatar University, and the Hamad Bin Khalifa University research institutes.
Attendees from the Republic of Korea included a delegation from NRF Korea, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, and Korea Internet & Security Agency.
QNRF is a member of QF R&D, and, through this agreement, demonstrates its commitment to positioning Qatar as a hub of research excellence.