‘Environmental sustainability is key focus of QU's educational plans'

Qatar Tribune

2 days ago

QNA
Doha
Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies at Qatar University (QU) Prof. Aiman Erbad, emphasized that the university is one of the leading academic institutions in the region that pays great attention to environmental studies and research.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr Erbad said that the university seeks to promote environmental sustainability through advanced scientific research, developing innovative solutions, and building local and international partnerships to address these challenges. He highlighted the university's advanced research facilities specializing in the environment and sustainability.
QU adopts a clear vision to support sustainable development in the country and the region, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) and the university's own strategy, he said, noting that environmental sustainability is a key focus of its research and educational plans.
The scientific research sector at QU has witnessed remarkable growth over the past five years (2020-2024), reflecting the university's commitment to strengthening its research standing at the local and international levels. Figures indicate that the number of scientific publications increased by 24.1 percent, reaching 11,260 during this period. This growth is a clear indicator of the university's research momentum across various disciplines.
The Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies at QU noted that environmental research and studies receive significant attention as part of the university's role in supporting the state's efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainability. He stated that environmental concern is a top priority at the educational and research levels, in line with national priorities in scientific research and the growing government interest in the environmental sector.
In this context, he spoke about a number of academic programs, scientific initiatives, and research centers and facilities dedicated to environmental studies, including the Bachelor of Environmental Science program at the College of Arts and Sciences, an accredited program that is the first in the Qatar. He stated that the program is designed to address the growing environmental issues and challenges, particularly those related to the environment in Qatar and the region in general.
Dr Erbad added that the College of Business and Economics also offers a number of courses on the environment and sustainability, in addition to its various initiatives, including the MENA Business Schools Alliance for Sustainability, which facilitates collaboration on various aspects of climate change and environmental research and sustainability practices in the business community.
Moreover, he indicated that the College of Engineering has a Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, which represents a significant shift in responding to environmental challenges in the field of civil and architectural engineering. This is in addition to other academic efforts by various colleges and departments at the university, aiming to create cognitive and societal awareness about the environment, its associated challenges, and the role required to address these challenges.
He emphasized that these efforts translate the university's vision and plans, which are aligned with government interests and priorities included in national development strategies.
On the research front, the Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies highlighted several advanced research centers focused on environmental issues. He noted the existence of an integrated system addressing environmental concerns across land, sea, and air.
The Environmental Science Center (ESC) at is one of the most important and oldest research centers at QU. Established in 1980 as the Scientific and Applied Research Center, its name was changed in 2005 to the Environmental Studies Center, and then to the Environmental Science Center in 2015. Today, the ESC includes several research teams: the Marine Sciences Team, which includes physical and chemical oceanography; the environmental team, which includes marine and terrestrial biology; and the Atmospheric and Earth Sciences Team. The center also owns an advanced research vessel, the RV Janan, equipped with the latest technologies for studying the marine environment.
The center also houses the UNESCO Chair in Marine Sciences, established in 2020. This Chair is the first of its kind in the region and contributes to promoting sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, increasing scientific knowledge, developing research capabilities, and enhancing resilience and adaptation to climate-related risks and other threats.
ESC also holds academic chairs, including the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) Chair. In the same context, Dr Aiman Erbad highlighted the pivotal role of the Agricultural Research Station that aims to develop innovative agricultural technologies to provide the best ways to utilize available natural resources and address the challenges of dryland agriculture. Among the key research facilities discussed by the Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies at QU is the Center for Advanced Materials, established in 2012. This Center plays a key role in promoting and supporting multidisciplinary research in materials science and engineering, focusing on priority sectors such as oil and gas, water, and local manufacturing industries.
The center includes the UNESCO Research Chair in Water Desalination and Treatment, the first of its kind in the Gulf region. Through its partnerships with international universities and research institutions, the Chair contributes to addressing water security, which is one of the biggest challenges in the Arabian Gulf region.
Furthermore, Prof. Erbad noted that over the past two years, QU has implemented several transformative research projects that have contributed to achieving qualitative results in the field of environment, among other areas, and have directly contributed to supporting the country's development plans.
He stated that these projects include a solar-powered water desalination project, which aims to provide sustainable solutions to the problem of water scarcity in Qatar and the region; a sustainable smart cities project, in collaboration with government agencies, to develop smart and environmentally friendly infrastructure; and a project to produce biomaterials from industrial waste to support the circular economy and reduce environmental impact.
He pointed out that, in addition to its academic and research efforts, the university is adopting initiatives to raise environmental awareness in cooperation with several relevant entities. These initiatives include the student competition Environmental and Climate Change Awareness Campaign.
At the end of his interview with QNA, the Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies at QU emphasized that the university, as a national institution for education and research, contributes effectively to supporting the country's efforts in the field of environment and promoting sustainable development goals through diverse research covering strategic topics in areas that have a direct impact on quality of life and environmental and economic development, in line with QNV 2030.