18 November 2007, Doha, Qatar

Qatar Foundation announces First Conference for Arab Expatriate Scientists (QFIRST 2007)

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, today announced the QFIRST 2007 conference, to be held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, at the Sheraton Doha Hotel from 10-12 December 2007.

QFIRST 2007 will bring distinguished Arab expatriate scientists from around the world to collaborate with Qatari scientists and decision makers.  The goal of the conference is to contribute to Qatar’s vision for the future: building sustainable development through a knowledge-based society
Dr Nabeel Al-Salem, Deputy Director of QFIRST 2007 Executive Committee commented:

'There is an incredible pool of Arab scientific talent across the globe and we’re delighted to welcome so many of them to Qatar. We are looking forward to collaborating toward our common goal of sustainable regional development'.

Three priority research fields will be discussed at QFIRST 2007 are biomedical, environmental and computer science / information technology.  It is anticipated that QFIRST 2007 will produce tangible initiatives in each of these areas.
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Notes for Editors
Keynote speakers include:

• Dr Philip Yeo
  Chairman of Spring Singapore, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Singapore's office and former chairman of A*STAR
• Dr Sydney Brenner
  2002 Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and Scientific Advisor to A*STAR Chairman
• Dr Tidu Maini
  Advisor to HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned and former Pro Rector of Imperial College London
• Dr Magid Abou-Gharbia
  Senior Vice President , Discovery Research, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals