DOHA: Qatar's oil and gas business in future will be in need of a more knowledge-based development and new technology, said the Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, yesterday.
Therefore the challenge could be overcome by transforming the oil and gas business into one based on knowledge and technology, he said while giving the keynote speech on day two of Qatar Foundation's Second Annual Research Forum.
"The biggest challenge the oil and gas business will be facing in the future is the need for more knowledge-based development and new technology. Thus the first and critically important step for the transfer to a knowledge based economy must begin with the transformation of the oil and gas business into knowledge and technology based business," said Al Sada.
He cited some key steps taken by Qatar Petroleum establishing a technology centre to address the problem.
While Qatar's oil and gas industry will remain strong even after 2030, it will build on the knowledge economy through energy research, he told the audience of many regional and international scientists and experts gathered to discuss and share knowledge on globalisation and democratisation of research.
"As Qatar develops and diversifies its economy, the oil and gas industry will still be a significant business for Qatar by 2030," said Al Sada. Also the society's intensified need for science and technology as the country moves on to 2030 was discussed during the opening session of the second day of the forum.
Dr Paul Alivusatos, Director, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in his presentation discussed 'How will science evolve as we move to 2030?' and 'What extra demands will society have from science?'
"Social needs for technical solutions to energy and environment problems will intensify. The society will have stronger needs from science and we need to address it," he said. He added that fields such as nano technology and biomedical science will help address the problems.
Researchers from organisations and institutions in Qatar presented their 47 projects in energy and 39 in environment to the visiting delegates. The research were done in collaboration with a range of well-recognised international institutions including the University of Kentucky, University of Singapore, University of Houston, Michigan State University, Beijing Jiaotong University, and the US campus of the Texas A&M University.
Oral and poster presentations on biomedicine, energy, environment, computing, art, social science and humanities and Islamic studies were also presented through the day.
H E Abdulla bin Khalid Al Qahtani, Minister of Health and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Health will deliver the keynote address today at the opening session and a panel discussion will be held on Development of Qatar National Research Strategy today and the second edition of the Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum will conclude today with an awards ceremony.
© The Peninsula 2011
