Sustainability
We’ve always been big advocates for sustainability efforts in the country and the region. We work hand-in-hand with scientists, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs in Qatar and all over the world to make breakthroughs and develop new, sustainable solutions to grand challenges.
From closely following best practices in designing our built environment to launching air quality monitoring stations and creating Qatar’s first urban forest—we’re taking our whole community along on a journey toward a safer future.
Expertise on Display
New regional ground was broken for spoken language technologies in January, as students from around the world participated in the first hackathon in this field to be staged in the Middle East and North Africa – collaborating to devise ways of using technology to increase language understanding.
It formed part of the 2022 IEEE Spoken Language Technology Workshop, held in the region for the first time with HBKU’s Qatar Computing Research Institute as the host, with global experts discussing advances in areas including automated speech recognition, machine learning for languages, and text-to-speech applications.
Meanwhile, QF-generated expertise in solar energy was showcased by HBKU’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute at the 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, the world’s biggest platform for photovoltaic research and development.
And Haya Al Ansari, a second-year medical student at QF partner university Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, presented research into a rare and incurable blood cancer, which she worked on with doctors from New York, at a leading US health conference focused on hematology.
New regional ground was broken for spoken language technologies in January, as students from around the world participated in the first hackathon in this field to be staged in the Middle East and North Africa – collaborating to devise ways of using technology to increase language understanding.
It formed part of the 2022 IEEE Spoken Language Technology Workshop, held in the region for the first time with HBKU’s Qatar Computing Research Institute as the host, with global experts discussing advances in areas including automated speech recognition, machine learning for languages, and text-to-speech applications.
Meanwhile, QF-generated expertise in solar energy was showcased by HBKU’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute at the 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, the world’s biggest platform for photovoltaic research and development.
And Haya Al Ansari, a second-year medical student at QF partner university Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, presented research into a rare and incurable blood cancer, which she worked on with doctors from New York, at a leading US health conference focused on hematology.
Food for Thought
Supporting Qatar’s focus on strengthening its food security, researchers from a QF partner university embarked on a project connecting academia and industry, with the aim of increasing the nation’s tomato stocks by 25 per cent.
The hydroponic tomato project is a joint effort between Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), the university’s parent campus, and Qatari food company Agrico. Its research team are studying tomato genotypes from around the world to assess which can best thrive in Qatar’s desert conditions, as well as the impact of a horticultural technique known as ‘grafting’, pest control, plant density, and pollination.
“As researchers, we strive to provide solutions to real challenges faced by the country,” said Dr. Bing Guo, a mechanical engineering associate professor at TAMUQ.
“In recent years, there has been a pressing need to make farming more efficient in Qatar. Our preliminary experimental results show a significant increase of tomato yield compared to the current practice, and this is a strong indication we will reach our goal.”
Supporting Qatar’s focus on strengthening its food security, researchers from a QF partner university embarked on a project connecting academia and industry, with the aim of increasing the nation’s tomato stocks by 25 per cent.
The hydroponic tomato project is a joint effort between Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), the university’s parent campus, and Qatari food company Agrico. Its research team are studying tomato genotypes from around the world to assess which can best thrive in Qatar’s desert conditions, as well as the impact of a horticultural technique known as ‘grafting’, pest control, plant density, and pollination.
“As researchers, we strive to provide solutions to real challenges faced by the country,” said Dr. Bing Guo, a mechanical engineering associate professor at TAMUQ.
“In recent years, there has been a pressing need to make farming more efficient in Qatar. Our preliminary experimental results show a significant increase of tomato yield compared to the current practice, and this is a strong indication we will reach our goal.”
Research and development in agriculture play a key role in enhancing agricultural practices globally, and we look forward to working with Texas A&M researchers to produce the best for our country.
Voices for Change
In February, high school students from around the world gathered at Education City to take on the role of United Nations (UN) diplomats – and discuss how to give “a voice to the unheard”.
GU-Q’s Spring Model United Nations conference, which simulates the UN system, focused on “Empowering Underrepresented Perspectives”, with a special emphasis on Palestine. Student delegations representing different UN countries deliberated in committees chaired by GU-Q students, with the challenges they tackled ranging from conflict situations to climate change and sustainability.
From Waste to Value
And key sustainability challenges were also being addressed by HBKU’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, as it partnered with Qatar University and Al Sulaiteen Agricultural Research, Studies and Training Centre to explore different pathways for transforming agricultural waste into animal feed.
Using the principle of the circular economy and cutting-edge technology, the project aims to convert organic waste into high-quality protein feed for livestock – meeting a need for Qatar, which is seeing its livestock industry grow rapidly, as well as for other countries which currently have to rely on expensive and environmentally unsustainable sources of protein.
In February, high school students from around the world gathered at Education City to take on the role of United Nations (UN) diplomats – and discuss how to give “a voice to the unheard”.
GU-Q’s Spring Model United Nations conference, which simulates the UN system, focused on “Empowering Underrepresented Perspectives”, with a special emphasis on Palestine. Student delegations representing different UN countries deliberated in committees chaired by GU-Q students, with the challenges they tackled ranging from conflict situations to climate change and sustainability.
This region has never been on the sidelines of dialogue, but always at the forefront. It’s on your shoulders to continue that tradition today, and into the future.
Stewards of the Environment
Islamic values were blended with the value sustainability at Education City during Ramadan, as QF’s zero-waste community iftar returned.
Led by a team of volunteers, the daily meal at Minaretein (Education City Mosque) offered portion sizes designed to reduce leftover food, multi-compartment boxes made of eco-friendly material, whole rather than packaged fruit, reusable table covers, and water dispensers rather than plastic bottles. With any food waste being composted and reused at Education City, the iftar represented both a community gathering and a learning experience about the Islamic principles of moderation and ecological stewardship.
Meanwhile, art foundation students at QF partner university Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) created their own imaginative ‘iftar’ – a display of dishes made entirely of paper, which went on show at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Education City.
And the Holy Month also saw the airing of a special Ramadan edition of QF’s educational and entertaining TV show Siraj, specifically aimed at engaging children in Qatar and across the Arab world with the virtues of Ramadan and the significance of the month.
Islamic values were blended with the value sustainability at Education City during Ramadan, as QF’s zero-waste community iftar returned.
Led by a team of volunteers, the daily meal at Minaretein (Education City Mosque) offered portion sizes designed to reduce leftover food, multi-compartment boxes made of eco-friendly material, whole rather than packaged fruit, reusable table covers, and water dispensers rather than plastic bottles. With any food waste being composted and reused at Education City, the iftar represented both a community gathering and a learning experience about the Islamic principles of moderation and ecological stewardship.
Meanwhile, art foundation students at QF partner university Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) created their own imaginative ‘iftar’ – a display of dishes made entirely of paper, which went on show at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Education City.
And the Holy Month also saw the airing of a special Ramadan edition of QF’s educational and entertaining TV show Siraj, specifically aimed at engaging children in Qatar and across the Arab world with the virtues of Ramadan and the significance of the month.
Teaching our children a virtue involves not just informing them about it, but also empowering them to implement and embrace this virtue in their daily lives.
The Past Informing the Future
Aimed at bringing a renewed focus on how ancestral solutions to climate challenges can help shape a more sustainable world, QF’s inaugural Earthna Summit brought together sustainability experts and policymakers – including indigenous peoples – to learn from, and exchange knowledge and ideas with, each other.
With its theme of ‘Building New Sustainability Pathways for Hot and Arid Environments’, the Summit in Msheireb Downtown Doha, hosted by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, reflected the need for such environments – including Qatar’s – to be more prominent in global sustainability conversations, which typically revolve around tropical and temperate climates.
The opening of the Summit – attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation – saw Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, tell its audience: “The purpose of seeking out indigenous wisdom is for us to discern and choose wisely that which resonates in our local environment, so that we may adopt simple whole solutions instead of complicating things.
“And so that, when we adopt new policies, we can attack the root causes of our modern issues, instead of getting lost in the branches.”
Aimed at bringing a renewed focus on how ancestral solutions to climate challenges can help shape a more sustainable world, QF’s inaugural Earthna Summit brought together sustainability experts and policymakers – including indigenous peoples – to learn from, and exchange knowledge and ideas with, each other.
With its theme of ‘Building New Sustainability Pathways for Hot and Arid Environments’, the Summit in Msheireb Downtown Doha, hosted by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, reflected the need for such environments – including Qatar’s – to be more prominent in global sustainability conversations, which typically revolve around tropical and temperate climates.
The opening of the Summit – attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation – saw Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, tell its audience: “The purpose of seeking out indigenous wisdom is for us to discern and choose wisely that which resonates in our local environment, so that we may adopt simple whole solutions instead of complicating things.
“And so that, when we adopt new policies, we can attack the root causes of our modern issues, instead of getting lost in the branches.”
We have gained a greater understanding of traditional practices, and the impact that these can have on ecosystem management and climate adaptation today.
Indigenous Inspiration
During the Earthna Summit, discussions tackled the importance of weaving traditional agricultural methods into modern practices, and the need for global action to address developing countries’ lack of access to sustainable energy.
Experts explored how international policies are affecting attempts to move toward energy transition, while religious leaders, climate change specialists, and policymakers proposed ways in which sustainability can be more closely connected with faith and ethics.
And throughout the Summit, Qatar’s community were invited to experience the Earthna Village, a public area displaying indigenous practices for cultural, environmental, and social sustainability – from traditional weaving and shipbuilding techniques to the preservation of medicinal plants and ancient treasures.
Ahead of the Earthna Summit, QF welcomed Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, to its Education City Speaker Series dialogue platform, where he emphasized the need for nations to unite in tackling sustainability challenges; while scientist, humanitarian, and environmental activist Dr. Jane Goodall urged young people to be leaders in sustainability in her keynote speech at QF school Qatar Academy Al Wakra’s Global Innovation in Sustainability Summit.
During the Earthna Summit, discussions tackled the importance of weaving traditional agricultural methods into modern practices, and the need for global action to address developing countries’ lack of access to sustainable energy.
Experts explored how international policies are affecting attempts to move toward energy transition, while religious leaders, climate change specialists, and policymakers proposed ways in which sustainability can be more closely connected with faith and ethics.
And throughout the Summit, Qatar’s community were invited to experience the Earthna Village, a public area displaying indigenous practices for cultural, environmental, and social sustainability – from traditional weaving and shipbuilding techniques to the preservation of medicinal plants and ancient treasures.
Ahead of the Earthna Summit, QF welcomed Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, to its Education City Speaker Series dialogue platform, where he emphasized the need for nations to unite in tackling sustainability challenges; while scientist, humanitarian, and environmental activist Dr. Jane Goodall urged young people to be leaders in sustainability in her keynote speech at QF school Qatar Academy Al Wakra’s Global Innovation in Sustainability Summit.
In our modern arrogance, we had perhaps disregarded what indigenous people knew for many years. This is a real moment for us to show respect for our old knowledge as well as respect for the new.
The Growth of an Ecosystem
And as well as expanding its sporting offer, QF is also expanding its ecosystem of education – as March demonstrated.
QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) announced the launch of a series of new undergraduate engineering programs, from the 2024-25 academic year, through its College of Science and Engineering; while VCUarts Qatar revealed its new Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Kinetic Imaging, with a focus on game design, and fellow partner university Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar introduced three new business administration courses specifically tailored for the Gulf region.
HBKU also launched the Qatari Faculty Development Fellowship Program, designed to develop talented Qatari nationals and offer them the opportunity to join the university’s faculty.
And HBKU’s Qatar Computing Research Institute marked six years of collaborating with the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs on new technologies aimed at fostering peace; while four members of the university’s community were honored by Boston Consulting Group’s V60 Awards for championing sustainability through their research and advocacy, making them part of a regional network dedicated to tackling climate change and helping to shape a greener future.
And as well as expanding its sporting offer, QF is also expanding its ecosystem of education – as March demonstrated.
QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) announced the launch of a series of new undergraduate engineering programs, from the 2024-25 academic year, through its College of Science and Engineering; while VCUarts Qatar revealed its new Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Kinetic Imaging, with a focus on game design, and fellow partner university Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar introduced three new business administration courses specifically tailored for the Gulf region.
HBKU also launched the Qatari Faculty Development Fellowship Program, designed to develop talented Qatari nationals and offer them the opportunity to join the university’s faculty.
And HBKU’s Qatar Computing Research Institute marked six years of collaborating with the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs on new technologies aimed at fostering peace; while four members of the university’s community were honored by Boston Consulting Group’s V60 Awards for championing sustainability through their research and advocacy, making them part of a regional network dedicated to tackling climate change and helping to shape a greener future.
Through this initiative, we are looking to tap into the Qatari community’s vast potential and support its citizens in pursuing fulfilling careers in academics or research.
VCUarts Qatar’s new undergraduate program in kinetic imaging offers the chance to study:
- Game design
- Creative coding
- Motion graphics
- Sound design
- 3D modeling
A Step Into The Future
They are part of healthcare’s new generation – and in March, medical students at QF partner university Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) celebrated gaining places on residency training programs at some of the world’s top healthcare institutions, at the university’s annual Match Day.
WCM-Q’s Qatar Medical Explorer Program also gave 30 high school students the chance to experience life as a medical student, while its Doctors of the Future Conference invited pre-university students to explore careers in medicine. Meanwhile, healthcare professionals from around the world gathered at WCM-Q to discuss advances in lifestyle medicine, through a symposium organized by the university’s Institute for Population Health explored how habits such as physical activity, nutrition and stress management can prevent, treat, and manage chronic diseases.
Innovating for the World
And students from across Education City showcased their innovation skills and their technological solutions for tackling challenging global issues through QF partner university Texas A&M University at Qatar’s (TAMUQ) Invent for the Planet competition, while the third edition of the Libraries Lead Forum – hosted by Education City-based Qatar National Library – focused on Artificial Intelligence and how libraries can ensure equitable access to information in the digital age.
They are part of healthcare’s new generation – and in March, medical students at QF partner university Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) celebrated gaining places on residency training programs at some of the world’s top healthcare institutions, at the university’s annual Match Day.
WCM-Q’s Qatar Medical Explorer Program also gave 30 high school students the chance to experience life as a medical student, while its Doctors of the Future Conference invited pre-university students to explore careers in medicine. Meanwhile, healthcare professionals from around the world gathered at WCM-Q to discuss advances in lifestyle medicine, through a symposium organized by the university’s Institute for Population Health explored how habits such as physical activity, nutrition and stress management can prevent, treat, and manage chronic diseases.
- Over 300 pre-university students attended WCM-Q’s Doctors of the Future Conference
- More than 360 healthcare professionals from 21 countries participated in WCM-Q’s lifestyle medicine symposium
- The winner of TAMUQ’s Invent for the Planet competition went on to compete against 24 universities from around the world in the global finals
Nights of Knowledge
Among the opportunities for members of the community to embrace the spirit of the Holy Month at Education City was QF’s Ramadan Nights initiative – showcasing Qatari culture and customs and enabling people to explore Ramadan rituals in different countries.
Held at Education City’s Oxygen Park, the initiative also encouraged visitors of all ages and cultures to adopt healthy, sustainable lifestyles – and give back to their communities through volunteering.
The events featured speakers on a range of topics, including Dr. Abdulwassa Lakl from the Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center, one of the partners QF collaborated with for Ramadan Nights, together with Qatar Charity; Oqlah Jassim, a Syrian teacher at the cultural center; QF alumnus and Samla endurance race winner Abdulaziz Al Tamami; Abdullah Shaheen Al-Kaabi, founder of the Athlete 13 Academy for young people; and Abdur-raheem McCarthy, an American of Irish descent who converted to Islam in 1994.
And a special edition of Ramadan Nights celebrated Garangao night, with children collecting bags of nuts and sweets in one of the customs and traditions of the Holy Month.
Among the opportunities for members of the community to embrace the spirit of the Holy Month at Education City was QF’s Ramadan Nights initiative – showcasing Qatari culture and customs and enabling people to explore Ramadan rituals in different countries.
Held at Education City’s Oxygen Park, the initiative also encouraged visitors of all ages and cultures to adopt healthy, sustainable lifestyles – and give back to their communities through volunteering.
The events featured speakers on a range of topics, including Dr. Abdulwassa Lakl from the Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center, one of the partners QF collaborated with for Ramadan Nights, together with Qatar Charity; Oqlah Jassim, a Syrian teacher at the cultural center; QF alumnus and Samla endurance race winner Abdulaziz Al Tamami; Abdullah Shaheen Al-Kaabi, founder of the Athlete 13 Academy for young people; and Abdur-raheem McCarthy, an American of Irish descent who converted to Islam in 1994.
And a special edition of Ramadan Nights celebrated Garangao night, with children collecting bags of nuts and sweets in one of the customs and traditions of the Holy Month.
Volunteering is a noble humanitarian act that makes you feel the importance of solidarity and doing good, and recognize how simple actions can change other people’s lives for the better.
Solutions Through Traditions
For generations, vital knowledge about how to preserve the environment has been passed down – and in April, a new international prize was launched by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future to honor this practice, but also to promote its continuing value in addressing the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow.
The Earthna Prize will support projects and organizations that preserve, integrate, and adopt traditional knowledge and cultural heritage in tackling contemporary issues in the field of sustainability. With a prize pool of US$1 million, winners will use the prize to develop, continue, and scale up their work, as well as having a global platform to showcase their projects and seek opportunities for global collaborations.
As it was launched on International Earth Day, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, said: “The Earthna Prize is a call to honor and learn from the deep ecological wisdom of indigenous peoples.
“These invaluable traditions provide us with time-tested institutions and precepts that truly work.”
For generations, vital knowledge about how to preserve the environment has been passed down – and in April, a new international prize was launched by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future to honor this practice, but also to promote its continuing value in addressing the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow.
The Earthna Prize will support projects and organizations that preserve, integrate, and adopt traditional knowledge and cultural heritage in tackling contemporary issues in the field of sustainability. With a prize pool of US$1 million, winners will use the prize to develop, continue, and scale up their work, as well as having a global platform to showcase their projects and seek opportunities for global collaborations.
As it was launched on International Earth Day, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, said: “The Earthna Prize is a call to honor and learn from the deep ecological wisdom of indigenous peoples.
“These invaluable traditions provide us with time-tested institutions and precepts that truly work.”
It goes beyond mere recognition – it’s about providing tangible support to initiatives that rescue ancestral wisdom and cultural heritage in the context of environmental sustainability.
The themes of the Earthna Prize are:
- Water resource management
- Food security
- Sustainable urbanism
- Land stewardship
Stewards of the Environment
And during Ramadan, Education City was the setting for a community iftar with a difference – a sustainable difference.
To promote the Islamic values of moderation and ecological stewardship, Minaretein (Education City Mosque) chose to host a zero-waste iftar. Portion sizes were reduced to cut waste, with each person receiving one multi-compartment container made of eco-friendly packaging rather than multiple boxes, with water dispensers instead of plastic bottles and reusable table covers being used. Any waste was composted or recycled, with the compost generated being used within Education City.
“These might sound like small changes when looked at individually, but given we have anywhere between 1,200 and 1,500 people breaking their fast each day, over the course of 30 days these changes have a considerable impact,” said Simon Jones, Engagement and Activation Expert, QF.
“Imagine if this zero-waste iftar could be replicated across all iftar tents across the country – the waste savings would be enormous.”
The Minaretein iftar also delivered bite-size, pre-iftar sustainability sessions in six different languages that raised awareness of how to reduce waste and increase responsible consumption.
And during Ramadan, Education City was the setting for a community iftar with a difference – a sustainable difference.
To promote the Islamic values of moderation and ecological stewardship, Minaretein (Education City Mosque) chose to host a zero-waste iftar. Portion sizes were reduced to cut waste, with each person receiving one multi-compartment container made of eco-friendly packaging rather than multiple boxes, with water dispensers instead of plastic bottles and reusable table covers being used. Any waste was composted or recycled, with the compost generated being used within Education City.
“These might sound like small changes when looked at individually, but given we have anywhere between 1,200 and 1,500 people breaking their fast each day, over the course of 30 days these changes have a considerable impact,” said Simon Jones, Engagement and Activation Expert, QF.
“Imagine if this zero-waste iftar could be replicated across all iftar tents across the country – the waste savings would be enormous.”
The Minaretein iftar also delivered bite-size, pre-iftar sustainability sessions in six different languages that raised awareness of how to reduce waste and increase responsible consumption.
I’ve always viewed religion and environment as two separate things, but it’s initiatives like this zero-waste iftar that have helped me make that important connection.
A Green Campus
With the aim of advancing sustainability within the QF community, a QF partner university launched its EcoCampus initiative in April.
Designed to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at the Education City campus, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar’s (CMU-Q) EcoCampus initiative involves students, staff, and faculty members, focuses on food equity, climate change, and waste management, and will – in line with the integrated nature of QF’s ecosystem – create a roadmap for other universities at Education City to benefit from.
Learning from Experts
Meanwhile, a group of CMU-Q student researchers began exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence algorithms to program aerial robots to clean and inspect solar panels, so they can operate more efficiently in Qatar’s climate.
The students have received scientific support from QF member Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, whose Executive Director, Mark Vermeersch, said: “Our scientists and researchers take great pride in mentoring the next generation of innovators, researchers, and scientists, and we are delighted to provide CMU-Q students with the opportunity to learn from our experts and explore their own ideas.”
With the aim of advancing sustainability within the QF community, a QF partner university launched its EcoCampus initiative in April.
Designed to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at the Education City campus, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar’s (CMU-Q) EcoCampus initiative involves students, staff, and faculty members, focuses on food equity, climate change, and waste management, and will – in line with the integrated nature of QF’s ecosystem – create a roadmap for other universities at Education City to benefit from.
Genuine change can stem from a single individual, and I believe students need to remember the impact they can make when working together as a community.
A Social Responsibility
With a shared vision for a sustainable future, QF and one of Qatar’s leading companies joined forces in April to harness each other’s expertise in order to meet environmental, social, and governance goals.
Announced on the sidelines of Qatar Economic Forum 2024, the three-year partnership will combine the efforts of QF and Ooredoo Qatar in the areas of education, health, and community, and leverage global platforms and networks to enhance the exposure and effectiveness of their joint initiatives.
QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future will also support and guide Ooredoo Qatar’s sustainability initiatives through thought-leadership, expertise, and access to global sustainability networks, to help the company meet its environment and social objectives.
“We believe in the influential role the private sector can play in setting a precedent through its actions – by driving direct, tangible, and positive change for the benefit of our societies – and we will always welcome opportunities to partner with private organizations so that our respective ecosystems of knowledge and resources can be combined and magnified to collectively make an impact on people’s lives,” said Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna.
With a shared vision for a sustainable future, QF and one of Qatar’s leading companies joined forces in April to harness each other’s expertise in order to meet environmental, social, and governance goals.
Announced on the sidelines of Qatar Economic Forum 2024, the three-year partnership will combine the efforts of QF and Ooredoo Qatar in the areas of education, health, and community, and leverage global platforms and networks to enhance the exposure and effectiveness of their joint initiatives.
QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future will also support and guide Ooredoo Qatar’s sustainability initiatives through thought-leadership, expertise, and access to global sustainability networks, to help the company meet its environment and social objectives.
“We believe in the influential role the private sector can play in setting a precedent through its actions – by driving direct, tangible, and positive change for the benefit of our societies – and we will always welcome opportunities to partner with private organizations so that our respective ecosystems of knowledge and resources can be combined and magnified to collectively make an impact on people’s lives,” said Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna.
Our partnership with Qatar Foundation is a pivotal step toward integrating sustainable practices into our core business strategies and contributing positively to Qatar National Vision 2030.
Connections in Tech
Companies defined by their desire to innovate for a more sustainable world signaled their plans to join the tech-focused community at QF’s Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) in May.
China’s Davinci Motor Co., Ltd, whose work centers on robotic vehicles, and leading Unmanned Service Vehicles Manufacturer OceanAlpha Group Ltd – whose products can perform functions including collecting vital data for environmental preservation – both signed Letters of Intent to establish research and development centers at QSTP. They were joined the following month by Tashan Technology, a world-renowned developer of Artificial Intelligence tactile sensing chips.
On the sustainability front, HBKU’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute hosted international stakeholders in the field of photovoltaics – the first time such meetings have been held in Doha – to discuss the ability of these modules to meet the needs of markets and users.
And having explored social, cultural, and political issues through mediums ranging from creative writing and documentaries to research projects, nine student works emerged as winners of Northwestern Qatar’s 11th Media and Research Awards, judged by industry experts in Qatar and local and international media and communication organizations.
Companies defined by their desire to innovate for a more sustainable world signaled their plans to join the tech-focused community at QF’s Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) in May.
China’s Davinci Motor Co., Ltd, whose work centers on robotic vehicles, and leading Unmanned Service Vehicles Manufacturer OceanAlpha Group Ltd – whose products can perform functions including collecting vital data for environmental preservation – both signed Letters of Intent to establish research and development centers at QSTP. They were joined the following month by Tashan Technology, a world-renowned developer of Artificial Intelligence tactile sensing chips.
On the sustainability front, HBKU’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute hosted international stakeholders in the field of photovoltaics – the first time such meetings have been held in Doha – to discuss the ability of these modules to meet the needs of markets and users.
And having explored social, cultural, and political issues through mediums ranging from creative writing and documentaries to research projects, nine student works emerged as winners of Northwestern Qatar’s 11th Media and Research Awards, judged by industry experts in Qatar and local and international media and communication organizations.
Qatar has positioned itself as a regional leader in innovation, and the possibility of welcoming global leaders in sustainable solutions means the country will further consolidate its regional role and boost its global impact.
Green for Go
Just as QF connects people of all ages with opportunities, and with each other, its Education City Tram is connecting campuses – in a sustainable way.
The eco-friendly transport system’s new Green Line was launched in July, linking Education City’s south campus, home to QF’s universities and many of its schools, public open spaces, and community facilities, with its north campus on the opposite side of Khalifa Avenue – where Sidra Medicine, Qatar Science & Technology Park, and Qatar National Convention Centre are based. It means easier and greener connectivity for students, researchers, members of the QF community, and visitors to Education City.
The arrival of the Green Line came soon after a milestone for the Education City Tram, which, in 2023, carried its millionth passenger. It played a key role during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in ferrying an average of 9,000 fans to each match at the Education City Stadium.
The state-of-the-art Avenio trams’ onboard energy-storing system removes the need for overhead power cables and allows them to travel between stops without charging, making them a sustainable way of traveling around QF and helping to reduce Education City’s carbon footprint.
Just as QF connects people of all ages with opportunities, and with each other, its Education City Tram is connecting campuses – in a sustainable way.
The eco-friendly transport system’s new Green Line was launched in July, linking Education City’s south campus, home to QF’s universities and many of its schools, public open spaces, and community facilities, with its north campus on the opposite side of Khalifa Avenue – where Sidra Medicine, Qatar Science & Technology Park, and Qatar National Convention Centre are based. It means easier and greener connectivity for students, researchers, members of the QF community, and visitors to Education City.
The arrival of the Green Line came soon after a milestone for the Education City Tram, which, in 2023, carried its millionth passenger. It played a key role during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in ferrying an average of 9,000 fans to each match at the Education City Stadium.
The state-of-the-art Avenio trams’ onboard energy-storing system removes the need for overhead power cables and allows them to travel between stops without charging, making them a sustainable way of traveling around QF and helping to reduce Education City’s carbon footprint.
The addition of the new line sees knowledge, innovation, and creativity intertwine, supports ideas to flourish and collaborations to thrive, and is a further stride toward a sustainable transportation ecosystem.
The Education City Tram network has:
- 3 lines
- 24 stops
- 19 trams
Non-Stop Learning
School might have been out, but learning remained in full swing at Education City over the summer – including at QF’s Mukhayamna 2024 summer camp.
The seven-week program, organized by QF’s Pre-University Education, featured activities that developed the skills of students from schools across Qatar in quantum computing, performing arts, sports, and leadership, while fostering Islamic values and Qatari cultural identity.
Students from two QF schools joined a Ministry of Environment and Climate Change initiative that helps preserve Qatar’s marine life, releasing endangered baby turtles at Fuwairit Beach. Meanwhile, local and international high school students explored careers in medicine through a program at WCM-Q, which also partnered with fellow QF partner university Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) to sharpen students’ physics and problem-solving skills.
And through HBKU, young learners were able to explore biomedical research and quantum computing, while QF partner university Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) invited students to create games and animations through its ninth Alice Middle East Programming Competition, and GU-Q international affairs students used their summer to immerse themselves in projects blending media, technology, and communication in the university’s Innovation Lab.
School might have been out, but learning remained in full swing at Education City over the summer – including at QF’s Mukhayamna 2024 summer camp.
The seven-week program, organized by QF’s Pre-University Education, featured activities that developed the skills of students from schools across Qatar in quantum computing, performing arts, sports, and leadership, while fostering Islamic values and Qatari cultural identity.
Students from two QF schools joined a Ministry of Environment and Climate Change initiative that helps preserve Qatar’s marine life, releasing endangered baby turtles at Fuwairit Beach. Meanwhile, local and international high school students explored careers in medicine through a program at WCM-Q, which also partnered with fellow QF partner university Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) to sharpen students’ physics and problem-solving skills.
And through HBKU, young learners were able to explore biomedical research and quantum computing, while QF partner university Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) invited students to create games and animations through its ninth Alice Middle East Programming Competition, and GU-Q international affairs students used their summer to immerse themselves in projects blending media, technology, and communication in the university’s Innovation Lab.
I learned to be more open-minded, collaborate effectively with others, and show kindness.Jassim Mohammed Al Mulla.
- 568 school students participated in Mukhayamna 2024, include 20 children from Gaza who were evacuated to Qatar.
- 83 students from 46 high schools participated in WCM-Q’s Summer Enrichment Programs.
- 23 students from 14 local and international high schools completed WCM-Q and TAMUQ’s Physics for Future Doctors Summer Program.
- 14 undergraduate students from universities in Qatar completed Qatar Biomedical Research Institute’s Summer Research Program.
- 22 students from 15 schools in Qatar attended Qatar Center for Quantum Computing’s summer school.
- 115 student teams from 50 schools participated in CMU-Q’s Alice Middle East Programming Competition.
Shining a Green Light
As people across the country were encouraged and empowered to contribute to a greener future through Qatar Sustainability Week, a unique recycling hub that has a role beyond collecting waste opened its doors at QF’s Education City.
Green Island is a community-centric recycling facility featuring educational exhibits, workshops, and interactive displays that offers experiential learning experiences for visitors of all ages. It also hosts a self-service recycling station with streams for paper, plastic, glass, metal, batteries, cables, and electronics.
The hub has been developed through collaborations with organizations including Arab Engineering Bureau, Milaha, QatarEnergy, Seashore Group, Agrico, and Al-Awalia (Qatar Primary Materials Company), with delivery platform Snoonu making its service available for people to send their items to Green Island.
The launch came as QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future organized the ninth edition of Qatar Sustainability Week, which, through a nationwide range of sustainability-focused activities, promotes Qatar’s sustainable vision and raises awareness about everyone can adopt greener habits and lifestyles.
As people across the country were encouraged and empowered to contribute to a greener future through Qatar Sustainability Week, a unique recycling hub that has a role beyond collecting waste opened its doors at QF’s Education City.
Green Island is a community-centric recycling facility featuring educational exhibits, workshops, and interactive displays that offers experiential learning experiences for visitors of all ages. It also hosts a self-service recycling station with streams for paper, plastic, glass, metal, batteries, cables, and electronics.
The hub has been developed through collaborations with organizations including Arab Engineering Bureau, Milaha, QatarEnergy, Seashore Group, Agrico, and Al-Awalia (Qatar Primary Materials Company), with delivery platform Snoonu making its service available for people to send their items to Green Island.
The launch came as QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future organized the ninth edition of Qatar Sustainability Week, which, through a nationwide range of sustainability-focused activities, promotes Qatar’s sustainable vision and raises awareness about everyone can adopt greener habits and lifestyles.
Green Island showcases practical sustainability applications such as construction waste upcycling, sustainable farming, and solar energy. We are also addressing the challenge of food waste, which is a significant issue for the entire region.
Celebrating Green Education
The dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship of students, teachers, and staff at a QF school led to it receiving a green accolade in September.
Qatar Leadership Academy (QLA) – part of QF’s Pre-University Education – secured the 2023 Green School Award, having been selected for its holistic approach to sustainable practices, efforts to instill eco-conscious values in its students, and commitment to nurturing a sustainable environment within the school.
The award was presented to QLA during the 7th NYC Green School Conference 2023, held alongside the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, attended by over 2,000 schools for 42 countries who celebrated each other’s progress in green education and shared best practices for demonstrating and promoting sustainability.
QLA’s accolade reflected its wide-ranging green initiatives within the school, including conserving energy and water to reducing waste and championing recycling among the school’s community.
The dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship of students, teachers, and staff at a QF school led to it receiving a green accolade in September.
Qatar Leadership Academy (QLA) – part of QF’s Pre-University Education – secured the 2023 Green School Award, having been selected for its holistic approach to sustainable practices, efforts to instill eco-conscious values in its students, and commitment to nurturing a sustainable environment within the school.
The award was presented to QLA during the 7th NYC Green School Conference 2023, held alongside the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, attended by over 2,000 schools for 42 countries who celebrated each other’s progress in green education and shared best practices for demonstrating and promoting sustainability.
QLA’s accolade reflected its wide-ranging green initiatives within the school, including conserving energy and water to reducing waste and championing recycling among the school’s community.
Teaching sustainability is not just a curriculum; it’s a way of life and a commitment to the future.
Outcomes for a Greener Future
Climate change innovations – including the use of Artificial Intelligence – sustainable economic transition, clean water access and food security, and green transport and finance were on the agenda at a national platform aimed at addressing Qatar’s climate challenges, co-hosted by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future.
The third annual Qatar National Dialogue for Climate Change – organized by Earthna and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change – produced outcomes that will help to shape environmentally-focused policies and practices in Qatar, and that informed the country’s participation in the UN’s COP28 conference in December 2023.
“At Earthna, we aim to be a convener of climate change thinking and action in Qatar and other hot and arid countries,” said Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna. “We do this by building and facilitating collaborative platforms that unite a diverse community of experts.
“Through thoughtful discussions, collaboration on initiatives, and sharing knowledge, the Qatar National Dialogue on Climate Change aims to inspire positive action and drive tangible outcomes for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Qatar.”
Climate change innovations – including the use of Artificial Intelligence – sustainable economic transition, clean water access and food security, and green transport and finance were on the agenda at a national platform aimed at addressing Qatar’s climate challenges, co-hosted by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future.
The third annual Qatar National Dialogue for Climate Change – organized by Earthna and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change – produced outcomes that will help to shape environmentally-focused policies and practices in Qatar, and that informed the country’s participation in the UN’s COP28 conference in December 2023.
“At Earthna, we aim to be a convener of climate change thinking and action in Qatar and other hot and arid countries,” said Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna. “We do this by building and facilitating collaborative platforms that unite a diverse community of experts.
“Through thoughtful discussions, collaboration on initiatives, and sharing knowledge, the Qatar National Dialogue on Climate Change aims to inspire positive action and drive tangible outcomes for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Qatar.”
The international community has a responsibility to work towards mitigating the effects of climate change and adapt to it – Qatar attaches great importance to addressing climate change and desertification.
Solutions for the World
Once again, Qatar welcomed the world in October, as the first top-tier international cultural exhibition in Qatar and the region – Expo 2023 Doha – began.
And reflecting the place that sustainability holds at the core of its mission – from innovation and policy advocacy to raising public awareness and empowering youth to be catalysts for change – QF was present to showcase solutions for a sustainable future, created and driven within its ecosystem.
Across the exhibition’s six months, QF’s space at the Expo 2023 Doha site in Al Bidda Park, powered by HBKU, has enabled visitors to engage with sustainability under the theme of ‘Local Innovations for Global Resilience’ – including examples of sustainable technology, youth-led projects, and opportunities for visitors to experience sustainable practices for themselves.
Expo 2023 Doha was also the setting for the launch of the fourth season of QF’s 3D edutainment TV series Siraj, while HBKU’s Qur’anic Botanic Garden has hosted its own pavilion including exhibits of plants mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah and their historical and religious significance, along with displays of its conservation work and its third annual conference.
Once again, Qatar welcomed the world in October, as the first top-tier international cultural exhibition in Qatar and the region – Expo 2023 Doha – began.
And reflecting the place that sustainability holds at the core of its mission – from innovation and policy advocacy to raising public awareness and empowering youth to be catalysts for change – QF was present to showcase solutions for a sustainable future, created and driven within its ecosystem.
Across the exhibition’s six months, QF’s space at the Expo 2023 Doha site in Al Bidda Park, powered by HBKU, has enabled visitors to engage with sustainability under the theme of ‘Local Innovations for Global Resilience’ – including examples of sustainable technology, youth-led projects, and opportunities for visitors to experience sustainable practices for themselves.
Expo 2023 Doha was also the setting for the launch of the fourth season of QF’s 3D edutainment TV series Siraj, while HBKU’s Qur’anic Botanic Garden has hosted its own pavilion including exhibits of plants mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah and their historical and religious significance, along with displays of its conservation work and its third annual conference.
Expo 2023 Doha is an incredible opportunity for us to forge new partnerships with peers in the field of environmental awareness and sustainability, while introducing ourselves to an international audience.
The QF space powered by HBKU at Expo 2023 Doha hosted:
- A Horticultural Zone featuring a dynamic greenhouse, Artificial Intelligence technology, and a vertical garden.
- A Waste to Resources Zone showcasing QF’s work on innovation solutions to waste degradation, and teaching visitors about how climate change affects Qatar’s soil and land.
- A Theater Zone with interactive talks and workshops by QF experts.
- A Workshops Zone offering interactive sessions for children on topics including planting, recycling flowers, and water conservation.
- A Community Farm Zone where visitors discovered the art of gardening in the desert.
- A Student Exhibition of sustainability-focused projects.
Raising a Green Bar
A week-long effort to promote and raise awareness of sustainability – organized by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change – broke records for community engagement as it reached its eighth edition.
Qatar Sustainability Week empowered over 200,000 people across Qatar to play their part in building a movement for positive, sustainable change – from workshops on water security, electric vehicles, and lowering carbon emissions, to beach and desert clean-ups, tree and mangrove planting, and initiatives focused on recycling, upcycling, and reusing.
One of the activities saw QF host a composting workshop for students at Education City, teaching them how to recycle organic waste and the value of adopting sustainable practices in their daily lives, which also provided them with composting binds for their schools and universities.
And Awsaj Academy and Qatar Academy Al Khor were the latest QF schools to be awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag – recognizing the dedication of their students to protecting and preserving the environment – while GU-Q was the setting for a conference exploring how the drive for water security can support regional cooperation and stability.
A week-long effort to promote and raise awareness of sustainability – organized by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change – broke records for community engagement as it reached its eighth edition.
Qatar Sustainability Week empowered over 200,000 people across Qatar to play their part in building a movement for positive, sustainable change – from workshops on water security, electric vehicles, and lowering carbon emissions, to beach and desert clean-ups, tree and mangrove planting, and initiatives focused on recycling, upcycling, and reusing.
One of the activities saw QF host a composting workshop for students at Education City, teaching them how to recycle organic waste and the value of adopting sustainable practices in their daily lives, which also provided them with composting binds for their schools and universities.
And Awsaj Academy and Qatar Academy Al Khor were the latest QF schools to be awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag – recognizing the dedication of their students to protecting and preserving the environment – while GU-Q was the setting for a conference exploring how the drive for water security can support regional cooperation and stability.
We are working to nurture a more environmentally friendly campus by empowering eco-advocates, ensuring the sustainability of our future.
Accelerating Entrepreneurship
Staying on the innovation scene, a technology-accelerating program run by QF’s Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) enabled an Education City inventor to drive forward his idea for making life safer for cyclists.
Mentorship and training from QSTP’s XLR8 program has been crucial to moving RESPO2 – which is worn over cycling helmets and has a visor and air filtration system to protect people from air pollution – closer to the point of commercialization. The innovation is the brainchild of Dr. Geoffrey Hicks, Director of Health, Safety, Security and Environment at HBKU’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute.
Also in December, QF partner university HEC Paris in Qatar unveiled the Emerging Leaders Track of its world-renowned Executive MBA program. Catering to young, high-potential professionals from Qatar and the region, it will welcome its first cohort in the fall of 2024.
“Embracing inclusive leadership, encompassing age and gender diversity, our program is nurturing a new wave of adaptable leaders and entrepreneurs ready to excel in the dynamic regional and global business landscape,” said Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Academic Director of the Emerging Leaders Track.
Staying on the innovation scene, a technology-accelerating program run by QF’s Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) enabled an Education City inventor to drive forward his idea for making life safer for cyclists.
Mentorship and training from QSTP’s XLR8 program has been crucial to moving RESPO2 – which is worn over cycling helmets and has a visor and air filtration system to protect people from air pollution – closer to the point of commercialization. The innovation is the brainchild of Dr. Geoffrey Hicks, Director of Health, Safety, Security and Environment at HBKU’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute.
Also in December, QF partner university HEC Paris in Qatar unveiled the Emerging Leaders Track of its world-renowned Executive MBA program. Catering to young, high-potential professionals from Qatar and the region, it will welcome its first cohort in the fall of 2024.
“Embracing inclusive leadership, encompassing age and gender diversity, our program is nurturing a new wave of adaptable leaders and entrepreneurs ready to excel in the dynamic regional and global business landscape,” said Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Academic Director of the Emerging Leaders Track.
If you have a tremendous gift to bring to the world, through your innovation, you will already feel rewarded. You have to think of the wider good.
Legacy, Interconnectivity, Creativity
Elsewhere within QF’s partner universities, Northwestern University in Qatar examined the social, cultural, and economic legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, 12 months after the final whistle blew on the greatest tournament of all time.
Past and present Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) students also marked a milestone as they faced off in a debate on TikTok and mental health on the 15th anniversary of the university’s Debate Club; while WCM-Q’s Innovations and Technologies for Precision Health student club hosted its inaugural event, welcoming experts to demonstrate how collaboration serves innovation.
The interconnectivity between energy, culture, and society in the pursuit of sustainability was among the themes at GU-Q’s Global Energy Cultures public forum, held in collaboration with Msheireb Museums, which saw energy experts and scholars swap perspectives with artists and filmmakers.
And Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar launched its School Visits Program, where creative experts from the university inspired school students to immerse themselves in art and design, as well as opening doors for young people to enter the world of vinyl artistry.
Elsewhere within QF’s partner universities, Northwestern University in Qatar examined the social, cultural, and economic legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, 12 months after the final whistle blew on the greatest tournament of all time.
Past and present Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) students also marked a milestone as they faced off in a debate on TikTok and mental health on the 15th anniversary of the university’s Debate Club; while WCM-Q’s Innovations and Technologies for Precision Health student club hosted its inaugural event, welcoming experts to demonstrate how collaboration serves innovation.
The interconnectivity between energy, culture, and society in the pursuit of sustainability was among the themes at GU-Q’s Global Energy Cultures public forum, held in collaboration with Msheireb Museums, which saw energy experts and scholars swap perspectives with artists and filmmakers.
And Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar launched its School Visits Program, where creative experts from the university inspired school students to immerse themselves in art and design, as well as opening doors for young people to enter the world of vinyl artistry.
Nothing could compare to the lessons I learned in my work during the World Cup, that hard work and dedication could take you so far.
