Qatar University announces H2020 event
Qatar University © Sebastian Wilke 14 October, 2014

Qatar University prepares for Horizon 2020 info day

Qatar University (QU) is preparing to host an Information Day on Horizon 2020 later this week.

The event will take place on Thursday 16 October at the university’s Research Complex and aims to increase awareness and inform regional stakeholders about Horizon 2020. Details will also be given on bi-regional co-ordination opportunities and openings for collaborative research between the Gulf Co-operation Council and the EU.

In comments carried in the Gulf Times ahead of the event, Dr Hassan al-Derham, vice-president for research at QU, said: “QU is well-placed to host this event, which will engage stakeholders from diverse sectors and open ways to significant collaboration that can only add value to science, technology and innovation efforts in the Arab Gulf.”

The one-day conference will include addresses from the European Commission and QU and is being targeted at policy makers, experts and researchers. Research areas of particular interest to Qatar and the EU include smart cities and diabetes.

Adding her thoughts in the Gulf Times ahead of the event, Dr Elisabeth Lipiatou, head of the European Neighbourhood Policy Unit for Africa and the Gulf in the European Commission, said: “Horizon 2020 offers huge co-operation opportunities, from fundamental research to close-to-market activities that need now to be exploited on the principles of mutual interests and benefits with Arab Gulf countries, and Qatar in particular.”

QU has already participated in the INCONET-GCC2, an EU-funded project aimed at encouraging the level of co-operation between EU and Middle Eastern countries during the Seventh Framework Programme and ahead of Horizon 2020. The project’s second phase, which runs between now and 2017, focuses on fostering research within the Societal Challenges.