(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Giving a further boost to medical research in the country, Qatar will be hosting the sub-regional headquarters of the prestigious International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO).
The Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) at Qatar Foundation (QF) Research and Development and IBRO have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up the IBRO-Middle East/North Africa (Mena) sub-regional headquarters in Qatar and designated QBRI as the host.
IBRO is one of the world's leading global scientific, education and advocacy organisations in neuroscience.
Improved healthcare diagnosis, treatment and preventative approaches for disorders, including illness relating to the brain, are a key area of focus of healthcare research conducted by QBRI.
The MoU supports planning, organisation and management of high-level neuroscience schools, symposia, conferences or any other research and educational activities throughout the Mena region. It also encourages development of partnership and networking opportunities between regional stakeholder groups, including academia, industry, non-governmental organisations and government agencies, said a statement yesterday.
As part of the MoU, IBRO will provide annual funding for IBRO-MENA Committee activities.
The panel's objective is to support and promote neuroscience suited to the needs of the Mena region.
Dr Hilal A Lashuel, Executive Director, QBRI, has been named Chair and Dr Omar El Agnaf of QF's Hamad Bin Khalifa University chosen to serve as Co-chair.
Last month, QBRI hosted the IBRO-MENA Neurogenetics School, 'Genetic Basis of Neurologic and Psychiatric Disease', with the support of IBRO funding.
Students from Qatar and across the Mena region undertook theoretical and practical studies in neurogenetics.
Dr Lashuel said: "The strategic partnership complements and extends ongoing QBRI neuroscience activities and offers opportunities for young scientists in Qatar and the Mena region.
"It aims to create and support education and training programmes suited to local needs and promote neuroscience careers for young researchers in the region."
Pierre J Magistretti, President, IBRO, said: "We look forward to this collaboration with QBRI to promote neuroscience in the region. IBRO appreciates QBRI's commitment to host the MENA -IBRO office, a commitment that is a guarantee for success for the initiative"
As part of its activities, QBRI also has a research programme on the understanding of the genetic causes of diseases and conditions in Qatar, with a focus on autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.