Qatar's Top Researchers Share Ideas at Maersk Oil Forum

Doha, June 17 (QNA) - Leading members from Qatar's research and scientific community shared ideas and challenges on how to develop the country as a global research and development hub at the inaugural Roundtable Series hosted by Maersk Oil Research and Technology Centre (MO-RTC). The Roundtable Series was held within Maersk Oil's global research centre (MO-RTC) at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). The talks, hosted by Head of the MO-RTC Soren Frank, included special guest and Nobel Laureate, Professor Ole John Nielsen, who shared his ideas on establishing research centres - having successfully done so in Denmark and Germany. QSTP Chairman and Qatar Foundation Research and Development Executive Vice President Dr Thomas Zacharia also joined the 25-strong group from the energy industry and academia. "It is our ambition that these sessions will help to foster relationships and future collaborations, which are integral towards building knowledge-based economies," said Frank. "By bringing together researchers in this forum to share ideas and challenges, we believe we can better identify the steps needed to realise the Qatars National Research Strategy (QNRS), which plays an important role in Qatar's National Vision 2030." Professor Ole began the session by stating several fundamentals for success in developing global R&D hubs, namely "people, infrastructure and collaboration". "I'm impressed by Qatar's high level of ambition, but I believe that with the level of infrastructure, determination and leadership I've already seen at Education City, that Qatar has the potential for hosting some of the world's leading R&D centres and for fostering top innovation," said Prof Ole. Discussions from the group identified some common themes; that it is important for the country to continue to attract high-level researchers and for R&D to be focused around the needs of the country, in the areas of energy, water and sustainability. Work at the MO-RTC focuses on applied research and technology to enhance long-term oil recovery, in particular from Qatar's largest offshore oilfield, which Maersk Oil has been developing since 1992 with Qatar Petroleum. The centre, which will invest up to US $100 Million over ten years is also focused on local capacity building with local universities, as well as environmental projects linked to the offshore environment. "I'm very pleased with the discussions and the outcomes of this first session. We look forward to continuing to host the Series and to tackling relevant topics together which can help further this countrys research and development goals," added Frank. (QNA)