Qatar University to Host Information Day on Horizon 2020

Doha, October 13 (QNA) - Qatar University (QU) will host an Information Day session aiming to raise awareness and inform regional stakeholders about Horizon 2020 (H2020), and how bi-regional coordination will facilitate opportunities for collaborative research between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU). The event will be held on October 16 at QU's Research Complex. Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU research and innovation program with nearly ?80 billion of funding over seven years (2014-2020), and is seen as a means to drive economic growth and create jobs. Its framework for the Arab Gulf region will engage opportunities for technology parks, SMEs, and other innovation actors for cooperation with the EU, as well as training and technology transfer. QU participated in the first phase of INCONET-GCC, a project sponsored by European Commission Directorate General for Research and Innovation, to establish cooperation activities between the EU and Arab Gulf countries towards H2020. The project focuses on raising dialogue and a platform for action to develop, promote and contribute to the creation of synergies among the various science and technology cooperation programs between the GCC and the EU member states, and foster the participation of the GCC in the 7th framework program. The project's second phase -- INCONET-GCC2 (2014-2017) -- builds on the results of previous cooperation activities with the Arab Gulf countries while focusing on selected societal challenges of mutual interest. The Information Day will see the participation of a large number of policy makers, experts, and stakeholders, and will be addressed by representatives of Qatar University and the European Commission. Participants will be provided important details on H2020, as well as EU-GCC cooperation opportunities on selected thematic areas, such as Smart Cities and diabetes, that are critical to Qatar and the Gulf region. Commenting on the upcoming event, QU Vice President for Research Dr Hassan Al-Derham said: "QU is well-placed to host this event which will engage stakeholders from diverse sectors and open ways to significant collaboration which can only add value to science, technology, and innovation efforts in the Arab Gulf". EC Head of Unit EU/Neighborhood, Africa and the Gulf Dr Elisabeth Lipiatou said: "Horizon 2020 is the largest programme on research and innovation worldwide, and is fully open for international cooperation. It offers huge cooperation opportunities, from fundamental research up to close-to-market activities that need now to be exploited on the principles of mutual interests and benefits with Arab Gulf countries, and Qatar in particular." (QNA)