DUBAI: A group of Arab scientists from across the world are expected to head to the Qatar capital, Doha, in October for a conference that will see research presented, the Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. The scientists, including field leaders such as Omar Yaghi and Magid Abou-Gharbia, will be assembling for the third Annual Research Forum, co-hosted by Qatar Foundation (QF) for Education, Science and Community Development and the Arab Expatriate Scientists (AES) Network from October 21 to 23. QF President of Research and Development Faisal Al Suwaidi said the forum will showcase the contributions Arab scientists around the world have made to Qatar's research development – from laying the roadmap to establishing QF's three research institutes as well as collaborating in the ongoing research to solve some of the most pressing issues in Qatar and the region. “Our long-term goal, through initiatives like the AES Network and the Annual Research Forum, is to draw Arab scientific talent back to the region,” QF said in a statement. The focus of this year's forum is on unveiling the Qatar National Research Strategy, with prominent scientists of Arab origin presenting research in the fields that Qatar has identified as national priorities namely health and biomedicine, energy and environment, computing and information technology, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities and Islamic studies. The history of the AES Network goes back to 2005, when Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, brought together selected Arab expatriate scientists to help develop her vision for building a strong scientific research network in the Middle East, with Qatar as its hub. The 2012 Annual Research Forum celebrates this history, and looks to build upon it for continued progress. The Annual Research Forum is a QF initiative rooted in Qatar's national strategy to foster a community of research excellence and world-class education.
