Qatar University (QU) is keen to find opportunities for collaboration with various local, regional, and international bodies to enhance research efforts and support researchers' tireless efforts in solving problems, innovating solutions, and developing ideas of importance to the local and international community as part of its ongoing effort to support scientific research in the country.
The university is constantly working on cooperative relationships with various industrial bodies at the state and international levels, which contributes to diversity and plurality in the academic and research fields at QU and results in a wealth of experience directly related to the industrial sector and labor market for university employees.
The relationship between QU and Marubeni Company is one of the most prominent aspects of cooperation with the international industrial sector, as research cooperation between the two parties began in 2012, and follows a continuous roadmap until 2024, with the support of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies.
This cooperation was strengthened by the Marubeni Research Grant in 2018, which began with four research projects, followed by the announcement of two new research programs, the first of which is the ‘Qatar-Japanese Research Collaboration Program.’ The program allows Japanese universities to collaborate with QU in areas of common interest and develop high-impact research partnerships. It also paves the way for sustainable cooperation and work towards achieving a knowledge-based economy.
The second program called ‘From Concept to Prototype’ is available to all faculty members who have a research project with a clear concept and design and are willing to take the next step in transforming it into a prototype. This program aims to encourage researchers to increase the platforms and products expected of their research projects, and to motivate the new generation of Qatari youth towards innovation and creativity by involving them in multidisciplinary research teams.
In 2019, seventeen research projects were approved for funding under these two programs over a two-year period, under the supervision of the Research Support Department at QU.
As for future plans between QU and Marubeni Corporation, it is expected that the second round of the Marubeni grant will be launched in September 2022, and the winning projects will be announced in early 2023.
Source: QATAR UNIVERSITY