Unesco Chair in desalination, water treatment launched at Qatar University

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Ayeni Olusegun | The Peninsula

The Unesco Chair in Desalination and Water treatment was launched yesterday at Qatar University (QU). The programme involves over 850 institutions in 117 countries and promotes international inter-university cooperation and networking to enhance institutional capacities through knowledge sharing and collaborative work.

The launch was attended by Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar H E Mustafa Goksu, QU President Dr. Hassan Al Derham, Vice-President for Research and graduate Studies Professor Mariam Al Maadeed, Associate VP for Research & Graduate Studies Dr. Nasser Al Nuaimi, Acting Director of Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Dr. Mohammad R. Irshidat, Acting Secretary-General of the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science Abdullah Khamis Al Kubaisi, Program Specialist at the Unesco Office for the GCC and Yemen Farida Aboudan, QU professors, deans, students, and other officials.

Speaking during the launch, Dr. Al Derham lauded establishing the Chair to facilitate innovative solutions to tackle water challenges in the region and form part of the Qatar National Vision 2030 of water security. Dr. Al Derham also stressed that the Chair further highlights QU's position in scientific research related to solving pressing global and regional issues. 

Meanwhile, Unesco's Farida Aboudan said the Chair would address 'one of the most critical challenges in the Arabian Gulf region.'

“I am very glad to launch yet another Unesco chair at QU in the field of desalination and water treatment,” Aboudan said. 

“The Unesco chair, through its multidisciplinary research programme will contribute to addressing one of the most critical challenges in the Arabian Gulf region, which is water security. Tapping into unconventional water resources to sustainable technology solutions is key for better adaptation to drought and climate change resilience in the region.” 

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“One of the key aspects to the successful establishment of this Chair is not only its relevance and linkages to Unesco's priorities, the SDGs as well as the regional and national development plan, but also the fact that it spared no effort in providing detailed research programme

“It also provides outreach to many partners, allocating adequate financial resources and the infrastructure required to advance knowledge and localize desalination and water treatment solutions. We are very keen on working together and identifying ways to strengthen our collaboration with QU and its Unesco chairs,” she added.

According to Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), potable desalinated water production capacity in Qatar until the end of 2019 was 476 Million Imperial Gallons per Day and will reach 636 MIGD by April 2023 with the commissioning of a new desalination plant. 

The Chair in Desalination and Water Treatment covers several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Unesco programmes, and strategy. It aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and QU's priority. This Chair involves collaboration with more than 30 institutions and organizations in 15 countries worldwide.

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