Doha, April 17 (QNA) – Qatar University (QU) and Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) signed a research memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of water treatment and related technologies.The signing ceremony was attended by HE Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and QU President Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham.
The MoU was signed by QU VP for Research and Graduate Studies Professor Mariam Al Maadeed and QEWC General Manager and Managing Director Fahad Hamad Al Mohannadi. “This MoU has a special importance as it underlines the collaboration between Qatar University and Qatar Electricity and Water Company,” HE Dr. Al Sada said of the MoU. “Both are national and prestigious institutions that complement each other. QEWC provides electricity and water which are the two essential components of life and social development, while QU is a key partner in the field of education and research in Qatar. This MoU aligns with QU’s research strategy and contributes to building partnership between the University and QEWC in various research areas.” For his part, Dr. Al Derham said the MoU helps in “promoting sustainable development and water security in Qatar and to building national research capacities in the field of energy and water. In this context, Qatar University continues in its efforts to strengthen links with industry in line with the national research priorities.” In the terms of the MoU, QU and QEWC will collaborate on building a knowledge base for seawater desalination and on developing a membrane based water purification such as Reverse Osmosis (RO). Both institutions will also cooperate on building local capabilities in the field of water treatment and on promoting research and innovation in the drinking water sector and related activities. Other areas of collaboration include the development of training programs and the transfer and implementation of technology for water purification.
Al Mohannadi said “the development of a membrane based water purification such as Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a new technology used in Qatar and we need partners such as QU to promote research in this field.” QU Center for Advanced Materials Director, Dr. Nasser Abdullah Al Nuaimi, said QEWC is building a plant in Umm Al Houl that depends on RO technology which involve membranes containing micro-pores that allow only water to enter and prevent any other impurities. (QNA)