Doha: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance scientific collaboration and innovation between Qatar and Switzerland.
According to Qatar News Agency, the signing ceremony, which took place in Doha, was attended by a distinguished Swiss delegation led by HE State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation of the Swiss Confederation, Martina Hirayama. The MoU establishes a framework for future cooperation across various research domains, opening avenues for joint research initiatives between Qatari and Swiss scientists.
Secretary General at QRDI Council, Eng. Omar Al Ansari, expressed that this partnership represents a strategic milestone in advancing the Council's mission to drive impactful research, development, and innovation. The collaboration aims to enable knowledge exchange and talent mobility, supporting the growth of innovation capacity and fostering enduring links between the scientific communities of both nations.
President of the SNSF Research Council, Torsten Schwede, highlighted that the MoU will facilitate cooperation between the SNSF and QRDI, benefiting both research communities. The initial focus will be on encouraging researcher mobility, potentially leading to the establishment of a joint research program in strategically important areas for both countries. Schwede emphasized the intention to streamline processes and co-create partnerships with QRDI colleagues.
The collaboration is set to advance through four key areas of cooperation designed to encourage research engagement and promote scientific exchange between Qatar and Switzerland. A coordinated communications campaign will raise awareness across both communities, and a jointly hosted webinar will introduce the Scientific Exchanges instrument to researchers in both countries.
As a pilot initiative, the collaboration will be evaluated based on initial interest and outcomes, guiding future developmental phases. To further support engagement, the QRDI Council, supported by the Leading House MENA, will facilitate networking opportunities to help researchers identify suitable collaborators. The Swiss National Science Foundation will enhance these efforts through its communication channels.
The event commenced with speeches from HE State Secretary for Education, Research, Martina Hirayama, and Secretary General of the QRDI Council, Omar Al Ansari, and concluded with the formal MoU signing ceremony and a networking session.
This new partnership aligns with Qatar's vision for innovation and research excellence, supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030 by building international partnerships and empowering local talent, thereby strengthening its research and innovation ecosystem.