Qatar University Receives Research Vessel Jinan

Doha, March 18 (QNA) - The University of Qatar organized this morning a reception to mark the commissioning of research vessel Jinan which belongs to the university's Environmental Studies Centre. The reception was attended by HE the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani, HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, HE the Minister of Environment Abdullah bin Mubarak bin Aaboud Al-Ma'dhadi and a number of officials from the educational institutions in Qatar. HE Qatar University President Dr. Sheikha Al-Misnad said the vessel Jinan will contribute to finding a new generation of Qatari researchers who will contribute their efforts in supporting and protecting the environment of Qatar through multiple studies that will be conducted by the vessel which will provide an excellent opportunity for practical training to the Qatar University students. In a speech on the occasion Dr. Al-Misnad said Jinan is not just a vessel purchased by the University of Qatar, but is in fact an encouraging and supportive factor for scientific research in the field of environmental studies and on and around which many scientific and biological studies will be conducted. All these studies will, in the end, focus on achieving the Vision of Qatar 2030, which places environmental protection among its major objectives, Dr. Al-Misnad added. She said: " This day is regarded as historical in the University of Qatar, as the commissioning of the vessel Jinan was just a dream for Qatari researchers and a great ambition in the imagination of all of us. However today this dream came true, thanks to God, then the gesture of HH the Heir Apparent and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Qatar University Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani." Dr. Al-Misnad praised the efforts made by scientists, researchers and officials at the University of Qatar which continued for months, saying they drew up plans and identified specifications for a new scientific commissioning to be added to the achievements of the University of Qatar. For his part, Qatar University Vice President for Research Affairs Dr. Hassan Al-Dirham said the University is endeavoring to confirm its leadership in the field of scientific research through the vessel Jinan and other research activities, noting that the goal of the University is to become a teaching and research institution, because with scientific research communities advance, and book their place among the developed world countries. Dr. Al Dirham underlined the importance of scientific studies related to the marine environment, pointing out that the State of Qatar is surrounded by water from three sides and nobody will be able to feel the local problems, and pressing environmental issues, except researchers belonging to this land, so the Jinan will be a great and real motivation environmental studies in the University of Qatar. He explained that environmental studies at the University of Qatar are extremely advanced, whether through scientific departments, which provide academic studies in the field of environment at, the level of bachelor's and master's degrees, or even through the efforts of the Environmental Studies Centre in the survey of the marine environment. Dr. Al-Dirham added that the completion of a great and wonderful scientific database helps to shape a clear image of the marine environment conditions, pointing out that through the vessel Jinan the University Qatar will strengthen partnerships with global research institutes and centers. (QNA)