Computer science scholars converge in Doha to take part in LPAR 2008

LPAR is an annual forum where many of the most renowned researchers in the areas of automated reasoning, computational logic, programming languages and their applications gather together to present cutting-edge results, discuss advances in these fields and exchange ideas. As an itinerant event, each year LPAR selects a scientifically emerging part of the world to hold the conference. This is the first time this conference has been held in the Middle East.

Iliano Cervesato, Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon computer science faculty member and LPAR organizer, says:

"LPAR is one of the two most prestigious conference in this discipline. We wanted to bring it to Doha to establish Carnegie Mellon Qatar and Education City as a center for education and research. One of the best ways to do that is to bring well-known scientists here."

"In addition to gathering at the conference sessions, attendees can meet and interact with Carnegie Mellon faculty and students to learn more about the research being conducted here in Qatar," Cervesato adds.

The caliber of LPAR 08 is evident in its invited speakers. They included Edmund Clarke, 2007 Turing Award recipient (scientific equivalent to a Nobel Prize) and Carnegie Mellon professor; Michael Backes, Saarland University professor; and Thomas Eiter, Technical University of Vienna professor.

Since its inception, LPAR has grown each year and is now one of the most sought-after meetings in computational logic on the conference circuit. More than 150 authors submitted scholarly papers from 42 different countries including France, Switzerland, Estonia, South Africa and Japan.

LPAR attendee Luigi Liquori of France was highly impressed with the state-of-the-art facilities at Education City as well as the rate of construction and growth around Doha. "The Education City campus is unforgettable. Carnegie Mellon's building is magnificent. And the hospitality of the people here in Qatar is amazing. This was a great choice for LPAR 2008."

Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar Science & Technology Park and iHorizons all sponsored the conference.