(MENAFN- The Peninsula) A five-year agreement was signed between Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS) and Al Sulaiteen Agriculture Research, Studies and Training Centre (SARSTC) to stimulate scientific research and training in agriculture in the region in view of a lack of local food production and heavy reliance on imports.
The deal was signed by Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad, President, QU, and Abdullah Salem Al Sulaiteen, Chairman, SARSTC, in the presence of college officials, including Eiman Mustafawi, Dean, Dr Mohamed Ahmedna, Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Affairs, Dr Steven Wright, Associate Dean, Planning and Quality Assurance, Dr Fatima Al Naemi, Head, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Dr Ahmed T Moustafa, Executive Director, SARSTC, and college faculty and SARSTC members.
The agreement will support scientific research and development in agriculture, water, renewable energy, food security, agricultural production systems, management, marketing opportunities, nutritional security and diet diversification.
It will also provide students with opportunities to get training and gain hands-on experience in agriculture, and contribute to developing joint proposals for research grants between the two institutions.
Both will cooperate in scientific research, capacity-building, exchange of staff and scientific information, joint publications and intellectual property rights, project outlines and work plan and collaborate on establishing postgraduate fellowship projects.
Prof Al Misnad praised the centre's efforts to support the country's agricultural sector and said, "We are delighted to sign the agreement to enhance experiences of our biological and environmental sciences students and prepare them to contribute to the needs and aspirations of our society."
Al Sulaiteen said: "It is an honour to collaborate with QY. The deal is the culmination of agreements SARSTC has signed with institutions in and outside Qatar."
Dr Mustafawi said: "The agreement provides the college with an opportunity to conduct more research projects to help achieve meaningful agriculture efficiency. In light of Qatar's economic growth, it is more important to bring all of the best minds together and align our efforts so that we can develop research programmes that take our stakeholders' interests into account."
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