Texas A&M at Qatar and QAPCO to bring Nobel Laureate to Qatar

The fund, comprising QR274,000 annually, is titled the QAPCO Chair of Polymer Science and Engineering. It will provide for bringing a Nobel Laureate in the field of polymer science and engineering to Qatar annually under the auspices of Texas A&M at Qatar, where the laureate will hold the position of adjunct professor of chemistry. The recipient of the Chair will be announced by Texas A&M at Qatar and QAPCO in May 2012.

Dr. Mark H. Weichold, dean and chief executive officer of Texas A&M at Qatar, signed the agreement with Dr. Mohammed Al-Mulla, vice chairman and chief executive officer of QAPCO, in a ceremony attended by VIP guests from both organizations.

Al-Mulla discussed the agreement, saying, "This is another landmark achievement for QAPCO and Texas A&M at Qatar and further demonstrates bothparties' commitment to the education sector, especially in the field of research. This agreement shows that we are leading the way in developing anew generation of academics, scientists and engineers that will enable vitalresearch to be undertaken in this specialized area. It also represents agreat day for the State of Qatar and its oil and gas industry, and I amproud to be able to collaborate with our esteemed partner and welcome thenew QAPCO Chair of Polymer Science and Engineering to Qatar."

Weichold added the agreement enables both organizations to partner in contributing to the State of Qatar's development. "Texas A&M at Qatar's mission is strongly tied to its partners in industry, government and the local community," he said. "Through building close ties to these entities, the University is better able to develop exemplary engineers, generate new knowledge and serve the needs of the State of Qatar.

"The agreement signed today with Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) is an example of how we aim to work closely with industry corporations towards our mutual goal of benefiting and contributing to the State of Qatar," Weichold continued. "We are grateful to QAPCO for their generous endowment of this fund and proud to partner with them in bringing a Nobel Laureate in the field of polymer science and engineering to Qatar."

Dr. Hassan S. Bazzi, associate professor of chemistry and chair of the Science Program at Texas A&M at Qatar, worked closely with QAPCO on the agreement. He commented on the generosity of the corporation, saying, "QAPCO's endowment of this Chair is an indication of the company's continuous commitment to enhancing higher education in the State of Qatar and creating and sustaining a culture of research and development. This will complement the State of Qatar's economic and industrial growth and push the State towards a knowledge-based society, one of the main objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030."