QATAR FOUNDATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HOSTS ARAB EXPATRIATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FORUM

Media Info

Leading Arab Expatriate Scientists and Innovators Convene In Doha For The Forum’s 10th Anniversary

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has taken part in the opening session of the Arab Expatriate Science and Technology Innovation Forum (AES Forum), which was held today at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

The event was hosted by Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D), a member of QF, and reflects QF’s commitment to building Qatar’s research capacity through the development of key sciences, thereby enhancing human capital across the nation and beyond.

During the opening session, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser said: “As we continue to move forward in the journey of research and development in Qatar, and without losing focus of the basic research and fundamentals, I hope you start exploring the next steps in the innovation chain, including entrepreneurship, technology development, and commercialisation.”

The AES Forum, which acts as an international hub for science and technology innovation, invites Arab scientists, researchers, technology entrepreneurs and investors from outside Qatar to engage with their local peers. Together, these leading industry professionals set new objectives and goals for Arab-driven science and technology innovations in Qatar, the region and around the world, to build momentum and excellence in their respective fields.

“Arab scientists and technology entrepreneurs are creating ideas and innovations which make the world a better and more sustainable place. The AES forum is a vehicle to celebrate and support these innovators and leading industry professionals. Qatar Foundation is immensely proud to uphold and enable such initiatives and we are delighted to celebrate the 10th year of such an iconic and invaluable event in Qatar,” said Dr Hamad Al-Ibrahim, Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Qatar Foundation.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the scope of the original AES initiative has been expanded to include Arab technology entrepreneurs, investors and innovation ecosystem builders. The new AES vision is to create a nexus among Arab innovators, researchers and scientists to increase and celebrate the contributions that Arabs make to the global community in the field of science and technology. This year’s gathering was, for the first time, attended by regional and international Arab participants.

Throughout the past decade the AES Forum has acted as a cultural catalyst, helping to form many Qatari research institutes and centres in line with the Qatar National Research Strategy. It has also been integral in attracting a variety of Arab expatriates to Qatar, assisting with the national development of human capital and expertise in the fields of science and research. The AES Forum has also helped to facilitate and inspire collaboration on many national and international research projects, assisted by prestigious organisations such as the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF).