DOHA: ExxonMobil Qatar and Qatar University (QU) have signed an agreement for an exclusive three-year sponsorship of an academic chair in science and technology education at the university.

The agreement a milestone in the long history of collaboration between both organisations was signed by Alistair Routledge President and General Manager ExxonMobil Qatar and Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham President QU in the presence of faculty members and university administrators at a ceremony at the QU campus.

The ExxonMobil Chair in Science and Technology will work with College of Education to explore methods that provide teachers with an improved educational experience in the fields of science and technology in addition to increasing the numbers and quality of Arabic science and technology teaching and learning resources.

The chair will also collaborate with QU faculty members in encouraging a larger number of students to enter science technology engineering and maths (STEM) career pathways among others.

“We are delighted to begin yet another partnership with QU and build on the excellent relationship we have developed over the years” Routledge said.

“The chair is a crucial position that involves strategising and identifying opportunities for development and we are honoured to support QU in developing Qatar’s next generation of scientists and engineers. We look forward to seeing positive outcomes of this partnership for ExxonMobil Qatar and QU in line with our joint vision of providing quality education for Qatar’s youth.”

Dr Al Derham said: “This is another initiative in many agreements signed with ExxonMobil Qatar in recent days which attests to our long relationship with the organisation that has yielded academic and research opportunities on both sides.

“The chair will bring added value and expertise to our faculty enriching QU’s interdisciplinary approach to science and technology and the region’s academic resources in the area. The agreement reflects and advances both institutions’ strategic commitment to promote science technology engineering and maths among young nationals as an initiative of critical importance to the country’s development and progress.”

ExxonMobil’s Outlook for Energy predicts that by 2040 the world will need 35 percent more energy than consumed today which means a corresponding increase in demand for professionals in fields such as the energy sector which work to meet this demand.

To help address the upturn ExxonMobil Qatar has made it a priority to reinvigorate students’ interest in science and maths at all ages — the key to building a competitive workforce and ensuring students get the education needed to become the engineers and innovators of tomorrow.

For years ExxonMobil Qatar has partnered with QU and other local entities to support this mission through projects and programmes that are driving human potential across the country; supporting research safety health and the environment; and helping sustain the country’s thriving society.