Qatar University (QU) has given 25 awards to researchers and students who had distinguished themselves in various categories in Sciences and Engineering, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Graduate Studies.

Professor Abdel Magid Hamouda, associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies, College of Engineering, received the Research Excellence Award.

The awards ceremony held recently was part of QU’s Annual Research Forum, which is under the patronage of the Minister of Development Planning and Statistics HE Dr Saleh bin Mohamed Salem al-Nabit.

In a press statement, QU said the event was an opportunity for university researchers and academics to showcase the outcomes of their original research, which are rooted on the desires outlined in the Qatar National Research Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.

Themed as ‘Academia and Industry Collaboration: Pathway to Innovation and Entrepreneurship,’ the event brought together panellists from industry and the university who discussed various sub-themes.

Giving an overview of research activities at QU, vice president for Research and Graduate Studies Professor Mariam al-Maadeed said the university took off with about 150 students in 1973 and now has around 17,000 students, nine colleges and several research centres.

“QU aspires to present original research based on the Qatar National Research Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030,” she noted.

Professor al-Maadeed said international collaboration accounts for 79.6% of research output in the institution, which also compares favourably to regional universities.

A number of discussions were held including a session titled ‘Establishing a Vibrant Partnership for Fostering Research-driven Learning, Discovery and Entrepreneurship’ moderated by QU chief strategy officer Dr Darwish al-Emadi.

Centre for Innovation Strategy and Policy director Dr Lucien Randazzese said the focus of the forum on sustainable university-industry relationships was well timed.

“Opportunities for innovation continue to expand in the Arabian Gulf region, and exploiting those opportunities will require closer, more productive relationships between industry and academia,” Randazzese said.

College of Health Sciences dean Dr Asmaa al-Thani echoed this statement saying that sustainable economic development requires an “inclusive” integrated approach toward economic development and competitiveness.

“As an educator, I believe that knowledge is an invaluable asset that can be generated, managed and leveraged. It can then be converted to measurable action by innovation. It will create added value through collaboration and open process,” she said.

The event also included an exhibition that featured seven booths set up by Environmental Science Centre, Centre for Advanced Materials, Kindi Lab for Computing Research, College of Engineering, Qatar Mobility Innovations Centre, Centre for Sustainable Development, and Biomedical Research Centre.