Qatar University announced its research agenda for the next five years, which will see interdisciplinary research projects centered on four areas of excellence: Energy, Environment and Resource Sustainability; Social Change and Identity; Population, Health and Wellness; and Information, Communication and Technologies (ICT). The new focus for the university was announced in a presentation by Vice President of Research Dr Hassan Al Derham to staff and faculty members recently. It is the culmination of nearly two years of detailed work by a cross-college committee of 11 senior faculty members chaired by Prof Ali M Ali, the Qatar University Research Priorities Committee (QURPC). The agenda is aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-16 and the Qatar National Research Strategy. It comes as the university revealed a growth in the quality and quantity of research in recent years, including a rise in the number of academic publications from 104 publications in 2007 to 285 in 2011 and a citation index of 1.05 – well above the world average of 1.00 and the Middle East average of 0.83. Dr Al Derham said: “This new agenda will play a crucial role in the development of the university’s research focus in the coming five years. It clearly sets out what will be the strategic areas of excellence at the university and enables faculty members, students and partner organisations to focus their efforts along these priorities. We are grateful to the members of the committee for their outstanding work in this important field which will have significant benefits to Qatar and beyond.” The priorities outlined in the report reflect the responsibility and commitment of the university to support research that is responsive to the national needs and major challenges facing Qatar. The new research agenda will be a “roadmap” which will play an integral role in the university’s second Strategic Plan (2013-16) and will be an institutional guide for a broad range of QU-driven research activities related to funded research, graduate student research, scholarships and fellowships. Additionally, it will help strengthen the many partnerships between QU and external organisations. Source : Qatar Chronicle

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