(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) and a leading Turkish research agency have developed a new programme to strengthen Qatar's cyber resilience.
The programme will focus on three themes addressing cyber security challenges that Qatar and Turkey share cloud and big data security, security systems for mobile devices and applications, and critical infrastructure cyber security. It will be jointly funded by QNRF, part of Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R & D), and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜB?TAK).
Academic and research institutes, and industry, private sector, and government partners, from both nations will work side-by-side through the joint funding programme, which is due to be launched in mid-September. The awarded projects will be announced in March 2018, with those comprising both a software and hardware element being funded for three years, and software-only projects being funded for two years.
The programme has been developed following a December 2015 agreement between QNRF and TÜB?TAK to collaborate on projects in areas of mutual interest, recognising the vital role of science, research, and technological innovation in the economic and social development of their respective countries. Cyber security's status as an issue of strategic priority for both Qatar and Turkey led to it being selected as the focus of the initial programme with the partnership having scope for further bilateral cooperation in other key areas.
A QF R & D delegation visited TÜB?TAK's headquarters from August 2 3, to formalise the joint funding call, which will employ a collaboration model called ‘2+2'. This model outlines how the impact of research and innovation can be intensified by academia, research institutes, and other stakeholders industries, private companies, and government entities pooling their resources, facilities, and expertise to nurture innovation and create economic growth.
'Turkey's capacity for innovation and the development of advanced technology in the realm of cyber security one of Qatar's Research Grand Challenges is very strong, and our shared challenges, priorities, and belief in science and research as a driver of economic growth, mean there is great synergy between us, said Nada al-Olaqi, head of the Qatari delegation, and manager, Business Planning and Performance, Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, QF R & D.
Dr. Abdul Sattar al-Taie, executive director, QNRF, a member of the delegation to TÜB?TAK, said, 'Our collaboration with TÜB?TAK reflects the fact that partnership generates strength, ideas, momentum, and the most mutually-beneficial research outcomes. This approach is the essence of our initial joint funding programme and, through adopting a model built on multi-sectoral collaboration and focused on commercialisation and impact, we believe it will make a pivotal contribution to developing Qatar's cyber security expertise and ensuring the resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure.
The 'extensive cooperation agreement between TÜB?TAK and QNRF which also includes the establishment of joint fellowship programmes and workshops makes 'the exchange of research and knowledge possible, said professor Dr A Arif Ergin, president, TÜB?TAK.
'Both parties plan to support high-caliber research consortia including partners from industry, universities, research institutes, and public bodies in order to develop cyber security projects, he added.
'The aim of these collaborations is to jointly build a defence against cyber attacks, through making our cyber security technology a reality.
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