University and QAFCO partner to host cutting-edge nanotechnology and energy research in Qatar and the region; conference draws world-renowned nanotechnology and energy experts.
Texas A&M University at Qatar hosted the QAFCO-Texas A&M at Qatar Conference 2014 on Thursday at the University's Engineering Building at the Education City campus. The conference's theme was nanotechnology and energy, an arena in which Qatar aims to be a global major future player.
The 2014 conference is the sixth edition presented with the sponsorship of Qatar Fertiliser Company, QAFCO.
Texas A&M at Qatar Dean and CEO, Dr. Mark H. Weichold, noted the importance of collaborations between industry and academia to further research and create new solutions, saying, "Partnerships such as that shared between the University and QAFCO illustrate the fundamental importance of industry/academic collaboration in meeting both the current and future challenges in chemistry and engineering research. Texas A&M at Qatar and QAFCO share a common mission to enrich Qatar, engage and support its people and industries and create new knowledge and pragmatic and sustainable solutions that can have both local and global applications. This year's conference focus, nanotechnology and energy, is essential to the evolution of enhanced energy efficiency and the further development of products and processes that affect and improve our everyday lives."
The conference featured an impressive technical program and sessions showcased opinions and research from some of the world's most respected names in nanotechnology and energy. It also provided a forum for the exchange of ideas and opportunities for future collaborations.
QAFCO Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Khalifa Al-Sowaidi,, said, "Prestigious institutions like Texas A&M at Qatar play a leading role by investing their resources to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that would lessen the adverse impact of industrial development on the environment. QAFCO is exploring new grounds to find practical means of energy efficiency. In the coming years, we will work toward achieving our production goals along with our commitment to energy conservation. Here, industry-academia coordination will be of remarkable significance. It is this mission that has encouraged us to partner with Texas A&M at Qatar at different levels to create a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise with young and impressionable minds."
Featured invited speakers included Dr. Tobin J. Marks, Northwestern University, US; Dr. Spiros H. Anastasiadis, University of Crete, Greece; Dr. F. Dean Toste, University of California, US; Dr. Omar Yaghi, University of California, US; Dr. Hong-Cai Zhou, Texas A&M University at College Station, US; Dr. Edward Hartley Sargent, University of Toronto; Canada; Dr. Abdelkrim Chemseddine. Institute of Solar Fuels, Berlin, Germany; Dr. Doros N.Theodorou, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Dr. Andreas P. Fröba, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany; Dr. Peter Curran Stair, Northwestern University, Evanston, US; Dr. Athanasios G. Konstandopoulos, Aristotle University, Greece; Dr. Sharon C. Glotzer, University of Michigan, US; Dr. J. Ilja Siepmann, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, US; Dr. Vasilis Gregoriou, Institute for Solar Fuels (E-IF), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Berlin, Germany and Dr. Hae-Kwon Jeong, Texas A&M University, College Station, US.
Dr. Hassan Bazzi, chair of the Texas A&M at Qatar Science Program and associate professor of chemistry, noted, "This is the first edition of the new series of conferences sponsored by QAFCO. Based on the tremendous success of the series that ran from 2008 to 2013 and attracted a large number of world renowned scientists including two Nobel laureates, QAFCO has generously agreed to support a new series that will feature parallel chemistry and chemical engineering tracks."
About Texas A&M University at Qatar
Texas A&M University, recognized as having one of the premier engineering programs in the world, has offered undergraduate degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering at Qatar Foundation's Education City campus since 2003, and graduate courses in chemical engineering since fall 2011. Over 400 engineers have graduated from Texas A&M at Qatar since 2007. In addition to engineering courses, Texas A&M at Qatar provides classes in science, mathematics, liberal arts and the humanities. All four of the engineering programs offered at Texas A&M at Qatar are accredited by ABET. The curricula offered at Texas A&M at Qatar are materially identical to those offered at the main campus in College Station, Texas, and courses are taught in English in a co-educational setting. The reputation for excellence is the same, as is the commitment to equip engineers to lead the next generation of engineering advancement. Faculty from around the world are attracted to Texas A&M at Qatar to provide this educational experience and to participate in research activities now valued at over $159 million, and that address issues important to the State of Qatar. Visit www.qatar.tamu.edu.
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For information contact:
Nehal Maher
Texas A&M University at Qatar
Nehal.maher@qatar.tamu.edu
+974.4423.0540
+974.5542.8289
© Press Release 2014
