QU to collaborate with MEHE, Mowasalat and Dolphin Energy Limited

Qatar University (QU) yesterday signed agreements with Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), Mowasalat, and Dolphin Energy Limited.

The agreements were signed by QU President Dr Hassan Al Derham, MEHE Undersecretary H.E. Rabea Mohamed Al-Kaabi, Mowasalat Managing Director Mr Khalid Nasser Al Hail, and Dolphin Energy Limited General Manager - Qatar Mr Hassan Al Emadi. Attendees included QU VP for Academic Affairs Dr Mazen Hasna, QU Chief Strategy and Development Officer Dr Darwish Al-Emadi, QU College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Dean Dr Rashid Al-Kuwari, Mowasalat Chairman Mr Nasser bin Mohammed Al Malki, and Dolphin Energy Limited Director of Government and Public Relations Mr Ajlan Al Enazi, as well as CENG faculty and staff.

The agreement with MEHE, Mowasalat and Dolphin Energy Limited aimed to establish a STEM on wheels project through the development of a STEM laboratory mobile bus that provides schools in Qatar with STEM technology. The mobile laboratory will bring real-life and daily STEM experiences to students and educators. In the terms of the agreement, Mowasalat will provide a bus, while Dolphin Energy Limited will sponsor the establishment of the bus interior and the provision of technological equipment. MEHE will create a comprehensive plan for the bus trips to schools, including those in rural areas. QU engineering students will design the bus interior and provide technological applications and equipment.

The event included the signing of another MoU between Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center (QTTSC) at QU College of Engineering (CENG) and Mowasalat to establish collaboration on new research and consulting programs used for studies on traffic safety in Qatar. In the terms of the agreement, Mowasalat’s Karwa Driving School will offer exclusive and various training programs accredited and certified by global institutions. Karwa Driving School will also provide information and statistics to support the projects while QTTSC will handle the projects.

Commenting on the agreements, Dr Hassan Al Derham said: “The STEM on wheels project is the first of its kind in Qatar and the region. This STEM mobile laboratory contributes to motivate students and encourage them to explore out-of-the-classroom STEM experiences through a contemporary learning approach that adopts new applications and that serves the school curriculum. QU is proud to be part of this state-of-the-art project that will promote quality education within high schools in Qatar, while reinforcing relations between the partnering institutions. This is a testament of QU’s commitment to strengthen collaborations between academia and industry in Qatar.”

He added: “Traffic safety is a very important area in a fast-developing country like Qatar, and being Qatar’s premier national university, QU continues to deliver on its mission and vision to build strategic partnerships with local institutions and civil society to address road safety challenges and offer sustainable solutions that will contribute to the country’s development and growth.”

H.E. Rabea Mohamed Al-Kaabi extended his gratitude for signing STEM on wheels agreement which aims to highlight STEM topics in a way that will enhance students’ excellence in line with national aspirations towards a knowledge-based economy and the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. He said: “The STEM on wheels project made a complete connection between general education and higher education institutions in a creative way that helps students make use of such techniques, which enables them to become the scientists of the future in the area of STEM.”

Mr Khalid Nasser Al Hail noted that students should acquire entrepreneurial skills and provide support to basic industries by contributing to development projects. He said: “Mowasalat has been taking various initiatives to engage the youth of Qatar since 2012. Qatar University College of Engineering students along with deans, faculty members and senior officials visited Mowasalat and witnessed how “Made in Qatar Karwa bus” is being assembled, and they showed interest to carry out their projects and internships and benefit from Mowasalat’s expertise and experience. Mowasalat is keen to support the youth of Qatar to enhance education, awareness, innovation and improvement of the urban world through the development of public and mass transportation for sustainable mobility solutions.”

Mr Hassan Al-Emadi said: “Dolphin Energy is delighted to sponsor this unique initiative. The mobile laboratory is a wonderful way to innovate, engage and provide opportunities to foster young talents across the country and help develop future leaders for the country. We will always embrace programs that support Qatar National Vision 2030 and complement our own sustainability strategy.”

CENG Dean Dr Khalifa Al-Khalifa said: “These collaborations highlight CENG’s commitment to developing partnerships with private and government organizations with the aim to invest in research and development and to promote STEM education among high-school students. Community engagement stands at the heart of QU’s mission and through our cooperation with Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Mowasalat and Dolphin Energy Limited, we are demonstrating the breadth of initiatives and projects at college and institution levels that serve to reinforce our links with the society on one hand, and to prepare the future generation of professionals to come up with new initiatives and creative productivity on the other.”