OBG talks to Faisal Alsuwadi, President of Research & Development (R&D), Qatar Foundation (QF)

Interview: Faisal Alsuwadi

How much funding has been allocated for research in the state, and what role is the educational community playing in research-related initiatives?

FAISAL ALSUWAIDI: Qatar has allocated 2.8% of its government revenue to science and research, with some of these funds directed into the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF). Through its largest research support programme, the National Priorities Research Programme (NPRP), QNRF has invested in 680 research projects over the first six cycles, from 2008 to 2013. In addition, government funding also extends to Qatar research institutes such as the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, the Qatar Computing Research Institute, and the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute. To date, Qatar University has received more QNRF and NPRP awards than any other research institution, in addition to 41% of all NPRP funding since 2008.

Many other research institutes benefit from QNRF funding, such as branch campuses, as well as national and international partners.

What policy is currently being developed to encourage the QNRF to award research grants locally as opposed to internationally?

ALSUWAIDI: QNRF’s policy requires that all NPRP research proposals include at least one senior Qatar-based researcher. QNRF has encouraged collaboration with international entities by allowing up to 35% of the award funds to support research activities outside of Qatar. Decisions about the actual research awards are strictly based on the quality of proposals, as judged by peer reviewers from around the world.

How are the country’s R&D activities being focused?

ALSUWAIDI: Qatar National Vision 2030 sets important priorities for the further development of Qatar’s social, human, environmental and economic well-being. The Qatar National Research Strategy (QNRS) 2012 was developed to support the national vision and defined four key pillars for R&D: energy and environment; computing and information technology; health; and social sciences, arts and humanities. QNRS 2013 identifies three “R&D Grand Challenges”, energy security, water security and cyber security, which add sharper focus to our research in the near term.

Significant R&D is needed to address the QNRS pillars and the three R&D Grand Challenges. There is already key R&D infrastructure in place in Qatar-based universities, including QF branch campuses; in QF research institutes; and at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). At present, we are in the process of completing Phase I of a major new QF research laboratory, with an even larger Phase II facility to be completed in about four years’ time.

To what extent is there a need for more R&D infrastructure, and what measures are being taken to commercialise research?

ALSUWAIDI: Industry has an interest and a role in many of the research areas spelled out in QNRS and the three R&D Grand Challenges. Several key industries are based in Qatar, including those related to our own oil and gas resources, but also those for which Qatar provides an opportunity for private sector R&D and broader marketing in the region, such as technology related to water security. We want to create a rich environment for R&D in Qatar that engages various stakeholders from academia, industry and the government.

We hope this will attract researchers from around the world, and at the same time encourage the best and brightest Qatari nationals to pursue education, training and a career in R&D based in Qatar.

QSTP will bring even more extensive training and support for technology and business development. We have set up a unit for intellectual property policy and protection within the QF, which will spearhead development of the framework, including necessary policies, infrastructure, implementation and oversight. QSTP is currently reorienting its priorities to add more focus on development and innovation-related R&D.