Doha: The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has initiated a cooperation agreement with the Qatar Shell Research and Technology Center (QSRTC) to support engineering students in their final projects. dr Rachid Benlamri, Vice President, Academic Affairs at UDST, and Antoinet van Schaijk, Pearl GTL Technology Manager and Vice President QSRTC, signed the agreement in the presence of a number of university officials and a delegation from the energy company.
The agreement sets out a common strategy to help students identify their appropriate final project and gain industry insights throughout the process. A final project is typically the final assignment at university in which students conduct research to develop an innovative solution to a real-world challenge.
A Qatar Shell engineer will guide the students, provide feedback and help find appropriate resources to meet all requirements for their project. This includes documentation, software, training and access to equipment. UDST will provide technical oversight and provide the necessary space for these projects, in addition to assisting with reporting, fabrication and testing of the prototypes.
In addition, this collaboration offers students many opportunities to improve their work and develop new skills and competencies.
dr Commenting on the event, Salem Al-Naemi, President of UDST said: “At UDST we believe that applied education leads to academic excellence. Our students learn by applying the acquired knowledge in practice and this kind of learning can only be achieved with the support of our partners from different industries. Qatar Shell is one of our long-term partners who has been helping us to promote and guide young, ambitious minds for years. It is a pleasure for us to be a partner again in this special initiative and we look forward to great results.”
Antoinet van Schaijk, Pearl GTL Technology Manager and Vice President QSRTC, said: “Qatar Shell is an active supporter of Qatar’s journey towards a knowledge-based economy. We are proud to share our skills and expertise with Qatar’s future leaders so they can continue to innovate tomorrow’s technologies and tackle the challenges ahead. Partnering with UDST on this initiative will help equip students with some of the tools they need to advance Qatar’s technical and economic development.”
UDST recently welcomed more than 6000 new and returning students for Fall 2022-2023 semester in 5 different colleges: Business Administration, Computer & Information Technology, Engineering, Health Sciences and General Education. This term saw an increase of fifteen% in the application set and admission to the winter semester 2023. In addition to diplomas and certificates, the UDST also offers application-oriented Bachelor’s and Master’s courses. The programs are tailored to the needs of an ever-evolving local and global economy.
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About Doha University of Science and Technology
Officially established by Emiri Decision No. 13 of 2022, the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) is the first national university specializing in academic applied, technical and vocational education in the State of Qatar. UDST has over 60 bachelor’s and master’s degrees, diplomas and certificates. The university is home to 5 colleges: the College of Business Management, the College of Computing and Information Technology, the College of Engineering Technology, the College of Health Sciences and the College of General Education, as well as specialized training centers for individuals and companies. UDST is known for its student-centered learning and state-of-the-art facilities. Its world-renowned faculty and researchers work to develop students’ skills and help produce well-endowed graduates who proudly serve diverse economic sectors and contribute to the achievement of human, social and economic development goals at national and international levels.
About Qatar Shell Research and Technology Center
Established in 2008, the Qatar Shell Research and Technology Center (QSRTC) is a preeminent research and development center in the Qatar Science & Technology Park. QSRTC’s work focuses on developing and implementing technologies that support Qatar’s National Vision 2030, as well as supporting Qatar’s role as the world’s largest exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the world capital of Gas to Liquids (GTL). QSRTC works with many universities and academic institutions in Qatar and provides training in research and development. Over the past decade it has developed and commercialized technologies for local, regional and global markets. Currently, QSRTC is working on a number of projects supported by the Qatar National Research Fund, such as in the areas of circularity, CO2 utilization, green hydrogen and plant integrity.
