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Tribune News Network
Doha
COLLEGE of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) recently hosted a high-level meeting of local materials and corrosion engineering experts at the Meeting for the Forum for Material Technology in Qatar.
In attendance were 31 representatives from the energy and industry sectors, and academic institutions in Qatar. The Forum's mandate is to establish a meeting platform for sharing best practices through peer-to-peer presentations and encouraging joint industry research projects.
The Forum aims to build a stronger material technology and corrosion sector through safety, integrity, environmental protection and standardization. The big take-away from the meeting was support and momentum towards developing national standards for materials selection in Qatar based on field study.
Hanan Farhat, Engineering Technology faculty and lead corrosion researcher at CNA-Q, is Chairman of the Forum and one of its founders. Farhat identified a need for the group in 2015 as previously there was no network for building capacity in the material technology and corrosion field.
"As Qatar's oil and gas industry expands, so too does the need for material and corrosion engineering to support it. Safe operation and prevention of leaks and failures of assets is important to prevent production loss, and protect the environment and personnel safety. Sharing knowledge and experience of case studies, and corrosion prevention are crucial to maintain asset integrity, and prevent failures," said Farhat."Establishing this network is extremely important to the industry, as the Gulf region has its own unique challenges given that the climate and environment here is completely different than other places in the world."
Since opening in 2002, CNA-Q has grown to offer over 35 diploma and certificate programs in Engineering Technology, Industrial Trades, Information Technology, Health Sciences and Business Studies. This year marks the 16th year that CNA-Q has been providing technical and vocational education in Qatar to support the State's strategic vision to educate, develop and retain young Qataris.
