DOHA: Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) has announced the keynote speakers for its Annual Research Conference 2016 (ARC’16), which will be held on March 22 and 23 at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).
Aimed to highlight the importance of strategic investment in research and innovation for Qatar’s long-term welfare, ARC’16 will bring together thought leaders, scientists and researchers from Qatar and around the world to discuss trending industry developments.
Discussions will address the country’s research grand challenges.
The opening keynote panellists include Dr Hassan Al Derham, President, Qatar University; Dr Elias Zerhouni, President, Global R&D, Sanofi, France, and former director, National Institutes of Health, US; Suresh Sachi, Deputy Managing Director, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A* Star), Singapore; and Christopher Coburn, Vice-President, Innovation, Partners HealthCare, US. The keynote panel discussion ‘Strategic Investment in Research and Innovation for Society’ will be moderated by Dr Maher Hakim, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q).
Dr Hakim said, “It is an honour to be moderating the keynote panel discussion. The expert panel will address commercialisation of research and innovation, instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in Qatar’s researchers and scientists and the encouragement of small and medium enterprises These topics are central to Qatar’s mission to enhance its technology innovation and product development capacity.
“I believe that the wealth of expertise each of the panellists has in his respective field will offer insights and make discussions interesting and rewarding.”
Several panel discussions will be held to enable local, regional and international delegates to discuss critical research challenges, including Qatar’s water and cyber security, solar and renewable energy solutions, healthcare, and social challenges and opportunities facing Qatar and the region.The Peninsula
