| Issue 2
Qatar Foundation:
Two Decades of
Unlocking Human Potential
“Scientific research is a human activity that goes beyond geographical and political boundaries
to establish the universality of knowledge for the progress and prosperity of mankind.”
– Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson, Qatar Foundation.
F
ounded by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa
Al Thani, the Father Emir, and Her Highness
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Qatar Foundation (QF)
has worked for more than two decades to build human
capacity and develop Qatar’s sustainable and diversified
economy. Since its inception in 1995, Her Highness
Sheikha Moza has worked to transform a vision into an
organisation dedicated to building a prosperous nation.
By driving forward its core mission areas of education,
research and development, and community development,
QF has successfully brought about the human, social,
and economic growth of Qatar. With a focus on
developing programmes in these three core areas, QF
has more than 50 centres that nurture Qatar’s next
generation of leaders. At its heart, QF’s mission is to
invest in Qatar’s most valuable resource: its people.
At the heart of QF’s success is pioneering forethought
and a culture that embraces the importance of
advancement and inspires an enduring commitment
to human achievement. This culture directly impacts
Qatar’s capacity for innovation, science, and technology,
taking it to a higher level.
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This nurturing environment has provided a platform
for celebrating existing achievements and exploring
future successes. For example, QF’s Annual Research
Conference (ARC), established in 2010, convenes a range
of leaders in science and research to share knowledge
and insight. The conference brings together global
perspectives and applies them to local issues, resulting
in a network which provides the necessary impetus for
transformative research.
Each year, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser
invites thinkers from around the world to meet and
discuss research challenges and establish a sustainable
system within Qatar to address these challenges. Issues
discussed include sustainable energy, water security,
healthcare, cyber-security, and social needs – and how
these issues can be addressed through innovation.
The ARC conferences have resulted in forward-thinking
research initiatives, including the Qatar National
Research Strategy (QNRS) and the Qatar National
Cancer Research Strategy. Since its inception, QF has
been central to helping Qatar become a nation that
stands as a vanguard for productive change in the region.