ictQATAR, Qatar University launch Professorial Chair for ICT

An international academic, with a strong background in ICT, will be selected later this year to take-up the new Professorial Chair position within QU's Computer Science and Engineering Department.

With ictQATAR funding the position, the selected academic will work simultaneously with ictQATAR and QU's students to conduct research into ICT areas of mutual interest; and host workshops and short courses for the organizations' staff and students.

During today's press conference, held at QU, ictQATAR's Secretary General, Dr Hessa Al-Jaber said the Professorial Chair will be charged with establishing research programs that facilitate and enhance ICT service sector in Qatar.

"ICT is central to the growth and prosperity of Qatar's economy and is one of the drivers, which will further propel this country into the global marketplace," Dr Al-Jaber said. "To help both entities better understand the use, impact and potential of ICT, we have founded a partnership with QU to establish this new Professorial Chair position."

Dr Al-Jaber added that the selected academic will play a key role in assisting ictQATAR to be a thought leader by spearheading research and educating staff about emerging ICT trends.

On this occasion, Qatar University President Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad said: "The new ICT Chair in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is another manifestation of the strong relationship between Qatar University and governmental sectors in the community, Through this Chair, we will be able to support ICT in developing Qatar's information and communication technology infrastructure and research as one of the country's national research priorities".

Currently, ICT represents around 2.4 percent of Qatar's GDP, but ictQATAR is hoping to significantly increase this figure over the coming years through a range of initiatives it is leading in the areas of e-Government, e-Business, e-Education and e-Health.

"Since we established ictQATAR in 2004, we have been working to ensure ICT take-up, which will in the long-term create jobs in a developed ICT service sector that will be a key contributor to our national economy," Dr Al-Jaber added.