Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar University’s (QU) Basic Research Office at QU Health Sector recently hosted its 8th Annual Research Symposium, focusing on the theme ‘Research Network Groups: The Power of Collaboration’.
The event saw the participation of esteemed figures including Prof Asmaa Al Thani, vice president for Health Sciences and Medical Sciences at QU, and Prof Jassim Al Suwaidi, chief scientific, Academic and Faculty Affairs at Hamad Medical Corporation, who served as a keynote speaker. Also in attendance was Prof Feras Alali, associate vice president for Research and Graduate Studies in the health sector at QU, alongside several deans of health colleges at QU. Additionally, a significant number of academics and researchers from various health and academic institutions in the country graced the occasion.
The flagship event showcased the models and values of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research networking, highlighting their crucial role in enhancing research quality, societal impact, driving innovation, advancing healthcare solutions, optimising scientific resource utilisation, and generating impactful research output. This alignment with the mandate of the QU Health Sector agenda underscores its commitment to supporting excellence in research.
Prof Feras Alali emphasised the importance of the scientific programme in his remarks, saying, “At the 8th QU Health Research Symposium, we celebrate a legacy of cutting-edge research findings and ground-breaking discoveries and inspire the next generation of leaders in health research. Empowering innovation and knowledge exchange, the 8th QU Health Research Symposium exemplifies our commitment to excellence in research, fostering collaboration among faculty and students to drive impactful advancements in healthcare.”
Dr Mohamed Elrayess, director of the Basic Research Office at QU Health Sector, highlighted the symposium’s focus on networking across disciplines, noting, “The 8th QU Health Research Symposium highlights the power of inter- and multi-disciplinary networking to spark creative solutions and improve resource efficiency. By connecting researchers across various fields, the event fosters fresh perspectives and collaborative discoveries that benefit the wider community. The symposium offers a glimpse into cutting-edge advancements in healthcare research and highlights impactful results as the Qatar University Health Sector champions excellence in research.”
Prof Medhat Askar, associate vice president for Clinical Affairs at QU Health Sector, also reflected on the successful collaborations formed as a result of the symposium, remarking, “Today, at the QU Health Research Symposium, we celebrate the robust collaboration between the university and healthcare sectors. Our focus on clinical affairs has triggered more partnerships with affiliates like Hamad Medical Corporation and Sidra Hospital, even extending to private hospitals. This synergy amplifies our capacity to address healthcare needs in this region, which is often underrepresented in global research. By combining our sophisticated healthcare infrastructure with dynamic research activities, we aim to identify and address gaps in clinical research, enhancing our understanding and treatment capabilities.”
The event emphasised QU Health Sector’s ongoing commitment to excellence in research, showcasing the latest developments in healthcare research and the practical outcomes of these efforts. The symposium concluded with a call to continue fostering such impactful collaborations, which are essential in advancing the health sector and providing substantial benefits to society at large.
