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In a bold move to advance research collaboration between Qatar and the world’s leading scientific innovator (as

measured by number of patents in force and patents granted per year), Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), led a delegation from Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) on a visit to Japan.

The five-day trip, which took place in April, was packed with meetings with Japanese dignitaries and thought leaders. Summarizing Qatari-Japanese relations in an address in Kyoto, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser said: “Based initially on the solid foundations of trade, energy and business, we have steadily built a flourishing friendship over the past decades, based on mutual respect and trust.”

Regarding the trip’s scientific focus, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser added: “I am confident that the discussions Qatar Foundation has held this week with Japanese institutes…will launch the next phase in our relationship – a phase that will result in collaborations in a wide range of innovative research and technology fields that will be of tremendous benefit to both our countries.”

Months in the makingThe trip was the culmination of months of preparation on the part of QF R&D and its counterparts in Japan. The seeds for the journey were planted last August during the visit of the Japanese prime minister to Qatar, when the two countries pledged to promote research collaboration. At the direction of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, QF R&D surveyed institutions in Japan to determine where fruitful collaborations might develop. The survey was followed by a series of meetings between members of QF R&D and officials at a number of Japanese research institutes and universities. When discussions produced tentative agreements, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser planned the visit to formalize relations among the various parties.

Faisal M Alsuwaidi, President of QF R&D, who accompanied Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser on the mission, said: “This was one of the few times Her Highness has traveled abroad specifically to spearhead bilateral collaboration in science and technology.

“Her personal involvement demonstrated to the Japanese that Qatar is serious about developing a research culture that will propel the country toward a diversified

PARTNERSHIP.

QATAR FOUNDATION STRENGTHENS

SCIENCE LINKS WITH

High-level Qatar

Foundation delegation establishes

scientific collaborations with leading

Japanese research institutes.

3agreements

signed during the

visit to cement

collaboration.

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economy and the realization of Qatar National Vision 2030.”

Substantive progressHer Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser led five roundtable discussions on research collaboration addressing the priorities and ‘grand challenges’ outlined in the Qatar National Research Strategy.

On 21 April Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser led a QF delegation that included Mr Alsuwaidi and Dr Ahmed Elmagarmid, Executive Director, Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), to Sony headquarters in Tokyo for a roundtable discussion with representatives of Sony, including Mr Kazuo Hirai, President and CEO of Sony Corporation; the Japanese National Institute of Informatics (NII), including Dr Masaru Kitsuregawa, Director General of NII; the Japanese

The discussion focused on the application of new technologies for social good, and possible synergies between Japan’s leading technology institutes and QCRI. Dr Elmagarmid felt the meeting was extremely productive. “Computing touches almost every facet of modern life – whether at home, at work, or at play; from communication to convenience, and medicine to security,” he said. “Computing research is vital to building a knowledge-based economy, and the Japanese have shown the world how advances in technology contribute to such an economic transformation. By collaborating with Japan’s leading researchers on common challenges that address social good and have societal impact, QCRI can strengthen the initiatives of its Japanese partners as well as those in areas of importance to the Qatar National Research Strategy.”

Qatar is serious about developing a

research culture that will propel the country toward a diversified economy and the realization of Qatar National Vision 2030.

National Institute of Information and Communication Technology; the University of Tokyo; and Keio University.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser led off the meeting by stating: “Our visit this week seeks to accelerate a new phase in the relationship between Qatar and Japan, one based on scientific collaborations that can help both our nations address some of the challenges we face in the 21st century.”

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, with a QF delegation, during discussions in Tokyo.

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PARTNERSHIP.

Formalizing agreementsHer Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser also visited the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) to discuss sustainable energy programs. At AIST Her Highness led a roundtable discussion with President Dr Ryoji Chubachi and other representatives of the institute, whose mission is to use green technology to build an environment-friendly, healthy, and safe society. “Qatar Foundation welcomes your insights and experiences of helping to build a sustainable industrial society, in particular with regard to water and energy security,” said Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.

The meeting culminated in the signing of a Letter of Intent between AIST and Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute (QEERI) aimed at addressing the research ‘grand challenge’ of energy security, as outlined in the Qatar National Research Strategy.

The QF delegation, which included Faisal M Alsuwaidi

and Dr Mohammad Khaleel, Executive Director of QEERI, met with NIMS senior management, including President Dr Sukekatsu Ushioda, to explore potential synergies between NIMS and QEERI in materials technology and photovoltaics. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to encourage joint research activities and exchanges between NIMS and QEERI. “Both Qatar, as an energy supplier, and Japan, as an energy consumer, are focused on developing sustainable energy programs and policies,” said Dr Khaleel. “By combining our research efforts, we hope to accelerate progress toward a greener future.”

Addressing medical challengesHer Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser turned her attention to biomedical innovations that could help solve some of the medical challenges facing the people of Qatar, by joining the QF R&D delegation at the Center for iPS (Induced Pluripotent Stem) Cell Research and Application (CiRA)

at Kyoto University, where they met CiRA Director Professor Dr Shinya Yamanaka, winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Dr Yamanaka gave a presentation about stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury and other medical conditions. He discussed with Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser potential areas of research collaboration and scientist exchange opportunities between QF R&D and CiRA.

Speaking of the synergies between the institutes, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser said: “Innovation is key to all that we do at Qatar Foundation. Last year we launched the World Innovation Summit for Health, known as WISH, which is a global

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser meets with Japanese and Qatari

dignitaries at the Kyoto State Guest House.

By combining our research efforts,

we hope to accelerate progress toward to a greener future.

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initiative aiming to promote innovation in the delivery of healthcare around the world. It was there that we announced the ‘Qatar Genome’ project, which is a roadmap for our journey toward personalized medicine.”

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser was accompanied by a delegation from the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) headed by Dr Hilal Lashuel, Executive Director. Regarding collaboration between QBRI and CiRA, Dr Lashuel said: “By forging bonds with CiRA and other research institutes in Japan, QBRI will be able to more quickly advance technologies aimed at translational medicine and novel therapies such as cell transplantation for the regeneration of damaged tissues. The partnership with Japan will

enable QBRI to more effectively tackle medical conditions that are QNRS priorities, such as diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders.”

The final roundtable discussion took place at the Japanese Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, RIKEN, in Kobe, including its President, Dr Ryoji Noyori, where talks centered on preventive and regenerative medicine.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between QF and RIKEN aimed at promoting further collaboration and exchanges of students and researchers.

Supporting young QatarisAmong her many engagements, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser took time to meet eight

young Qataris studying in Japan. The students talked about their reasons for studying in Japan and their impressions of the Japanese language and culture. On the final day of the visit, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser met Dr Toshio Hirano, President of Osaka University. They discussed potential collaboration between Qatar and the university, including student exchanges. The visit also included cultural and ceremonial activities.

Next stepsHer Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser’s involvement in the R&D mission signaled its importance to stakeholders in both Japan and Qatar. Dr Dirar Khoury, Executive Director, Research Coordination and Special Initiatives, QF R&D, said: “Her Highness is a catalyst both for forging new relations in Japan and also for following through on the agreements here in Qatar. Everyone involved with the trip realizes that Her Highness is going to be asking for updates about progress in each of these collaborations. Likewise, everyone within QF R&D understands that these projects have attention at the highest level, and that will be a tremendous benefit going forward.”

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with young Qataris

who are completing their studies in Japan.Faisal M Alsuwaidi, President, QF R&D [standing, left];

Dr Mohammad Khaleel, Executive Director, QEERI

[seated, left]; Dr Ryoji Chubachi, President, AIST

[standing, right]; and Dr Kazumi Tanimoto, Director,

Research Institute for Ubiquitous Energy Devices, AIST

[seated, right]; at the signing of a Letter of Intent

between QEERI and AIST with the aim of addressing

the QNRS “grand challenge” of energy security.

Faisal M Alsuwaidi, President, QF R&D, shakes hands with Dr Sukekatsu

Ushioda, President of NIMS, after the signing of an MoU.