| Issue 2

| Signature of Qatar-UK Memorandum of Understanding

According to the UK governmentbacked Science and Innovation Network ( SIN ), Qatar , one of thirty countries with which SIN works , is a leader in terms of scientific and innovative ambition . Qatar ’ s research priorities are managed by the Qatar National Research Fund ( QNRF ), which oversees a national programme to support the country ’ s international research engagement .

Over the past 10 years , QNRF has distributed over £ 600 million to support partnerships around the world . In the UK alone , more than 130 joint projects with UK universities have been awarded grants by QNRF , with each individual grant amounting to around £ 725,000 over three years .

While the focus of these projects varies , QNRF has sought to drive research and innovation in the fields of energy , environment , health , social sciences , and cyber-security .

One of the most successful of these joint projects is the Carbonates and Carbon Storage Centre , supported by Qatar Petroleum , Shell , and Qatar Science and Technology Park . The project aims to conduct pioneering research to better understand carbonate reservoirs in

Qatar and support the deployment of clean carbon capture technology . Based in the UK , the project is currently Imperial College London ’ s largest overseas research investment .

Both Qatar and the UK are also seeking new opportunities to foster knowledge-sharing and exchange . Throughout 2016 , QNRF and the UK Government co-funded a series of workshops to bring together hundreds of Qatari researchers with their UK counterparts . Each workshop focused on a different topic in line with Qatar ’ s national research priorities , including connected healthcare , big data management , and entrepreneurship .

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