ABU DHABI — Qatar has agreed to invest $2 billion through 2010 in
scientific research, particularly for Arab expatriates.
Officials said Qatar would establish at least two funds to promote
research in the Arab world. They said the research would focus on
information technology and medicine.
"The picture was not quite clear to most scientists coming here, but now
it is clear regarding Qatar's future plans and potential," Abdul Azeem
Alsabti, a researcher from London University, said.
Qatar's plans were announced at the three-day Conference for Expatriate
Arab Scientists, which ends on Wednesday. Officials said Qatar would serve
as a model for scientific research and the spawning of indigenous
technology.
Alsabti said the emirate would allocate $2 billion for scientific
research through 2010. He said another $300 million would be invested in a
fund entitled "Well of Knowledge," financed by the revenues from a Qatari
oil well.
Qatar plans to invest in information technology, medicine and
environment, Alsabti said. He said projects would be tailored to Qatar's
priorities and scientific requirements.
Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, the chair of the Qatar Foundation, told
the conference that Qatar has sought to transform the Arab world from a
"consumptive culture" to a "productive and creative culture." She said the
emirate has sought to stem the brain drain from the Arab world.
"We are now in the process of establishing the research infrastructure
which will be a powerful tributary feeding the competent academic centers
and upgrading its outputs," Ms. Al Missned, a senior member of the royal
family, said.
Arab scientists said the lack of political freedom in the Middle East
forced them to emigrate to the West. They said the Arab world has failed to
provide opportunities and incentives for creativity.
"Scientific research is suffering in the Arab world and the reasons are
not only financial," Bouziane Semmaud, an Algerian water researcher who now
lives in France, said. "There is a severe lack of moral support for budding
scientists in this part of the world."
Officials said they hope the conference would help woo leading Arab
scientists to Qatar. Qatar has established universities as well as a
technology park that has attracted leading Western companies, including
defense firms.
"Qatar has a vision supported by political will," Adel Sharif, an
engineering instructor at Britain's University of Surrey, told a news
conference on Tuesday.
