Qatar University (QU) inaugurated the Fourth World Congress on Engineering and Technology, a three-day event that includes the 25th International Conference on Web Information System Engineering, the 6th International Gas Conference, the 4th Global Energy Storage Conference, and the National Cybersecurity Competition. The events are sponsored by QatarEnergy for LNG, the National Cyber Security Agency (platinum tier), Visit Qatar, and the Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI), with additional gold-tier sponsorship from Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO), Q.P.S.C., and Qatar National Bank (QNB), and silver-tier sponsorship from Dolphin Energy Limited. The congress is held in collaboration with international organizations, government entities, and industry leaders to host local and global experts across these fields.
In his opening remarks at the 2024 Fourth World Congress on Engineering and Technology, QU President Dr. Omar Al-Ansari said, “I am pleased to welcome you all to this pioneering academic event hosted by the College of Engineering at QU. This distinguished gathering features three international conferences, bringing together elite scientists, experts, researchers, and industry leaders from over 50 countries. This congress serves as a vibrant platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing research, and exploring the latest innovations across various contemporary scientific and research topics, with 800 research papers under discussion.
Dr. Al-Ansari added, “Hosting these three global conferences at QU reflects its prominent academic standing and the trust placed in its ability to organize events of high scientific value. The 25th edition of the Web Conference underscores Qatar's leadership in the digital field and its diverse applications. Meanwhile, the Gas Conference focuses on energy transition, aligning with Qatar’s efforts to achieve sustainability and clean energy goals. Similarly, the 4th edition of the Energy Storage Conference highlights the importance of innovation in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and its active role in global efforts toward a sustainable future.”
His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Attiya, Minister of Municipality, stated during the opening session, “I am delighted to join you today at the prestigious QU to inaugurate this distinguished international event, which has become a renowned platform for exchanging ideas and experiences while promoting the values of innovation and sustainability—key pillars for societal well-being. This 4th edition of the congress embodies Qatar's commitment to international collaboration in engineering and technology and is integral to our ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, consistent with Qatar National Vision 2030. At the Ministry of Municipality, we believe engineering and technological innovation are vital to tackling sustainability challenges. Therefore, we prioritize supporting projects that enhance climate adaptation and ensure the optimal use of natural resources.”
H.E. also highlighted Qatar’s progress, saying, “Thanks to meticulous planning and continuous development, Qatar has achieved remarkable advancement in the 2024 Global Competitiveness Report, rising to 11th place globally among 67 advanced countries, compared to 12th last year. This accomplishment reflects our commitment to leadership by delivering innovative services based on advanced infrastructure and smart technologies, supported by strategic partnerships that enhance competitiveness and attract investors and visitors.”
The minister emphasized the importance of sustainable and smart city development, stating, “The Ministry of Municipality places significant emphasis on developing smart and sustainable cities through the application of the latest engineering technologies in urban planning, resource management, and environmental conservation. The objectives of this congress align directly with Qatar’s efforts to foster innovation and invest in engineering technologies as a core element of its National Vision 2030. These efforts focus on creating smart and sustainable cities by adopting cutting-edge technological innovations in infrastructure, transportation, and energy to establish urban environments that enhance quality of life and build a diverse, sustainable economy.”
Dr. Khalid Kamal Naji, Dean of the College of Engineering, remarked, “The congress will feature a diverse range of sessions, keynote lectures, and panel discussions aimed at advancing knowledge in areas such as web information systems, gas technology, and energy storage. Experts and researchers can exchange technical expertise in these sessions, fostering a collaborative environment to address critical challenges in each domain. The congress seeks to present high-quality research reflecting the latest developments, offering practical solutions for industry, and introducing innovative policies aligned with global trends in sustainable energy and digital transformation. Through this event, participants will gain insights into emerging technologies, discuss pressing scientific issues, and explore how policy advancements can support progress in these vital engineering fields.”
Dr. Naji concluded by expressing gratitude to the sponsors: “The College of Engineering at QU extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to all the sponsors for their support of the congress and its activities. Their commitment underscores the importance of fostering innovation and collaboration in engineering and technology sectors.”
Dr. Mohamed Ali Saleh, Director of the Gas Processing Center (GPC) at QU, spoke about the 6th International Gas Conference, saying, “The Gas Processing Center, in collaboration with the Department of Chemical Engineering at QU, is pleased to announce the 6th International Gas Conference in Doha, Qatar. This event continues a series of successful symposia previously organized by the center, reaffirming our commitment to developing innovative solutions for the major challenges facing the oil and gas industry while addressing the growing demands of energy transition.”
Dr. Saleh added, “This conference, sponsored by leading oil and gas companies in Qatar, has become a premier event bringing together international experts from academia and industry, fostering knowledge exchange, and showcasing the latest innovations in the field. It will feature preparatory workshops on key conference topics, interactive sessions with keynote speakers, oral
presentations, and poster sessions for research highlights, alongside an exhibition showcasing the latest solutions and innovations. This event also creates an ideal environment for enhancing collaboration between academic and industrial sectors, supported by technical workshops that promote hands-on learning and skills development in oil and gas fields.”
Prof. Ibnelwaleed Ali Hussein, a researcher at the GPC, highlighted the conference theme, “The theme for this year’s conference is 'Energy Transition and Sustainability.' The research abstracts cover a wide range of topics, including energy transition, hydrogen and decarbonization, digital transformation and artificial intelligence in oil and gas, process modeling and optimization, industrial water and environmental management, gas-to-products and oil-to-chemicals technologies, gas economics and policies, process safety, sustainable chemical processes, and industrial case studies.”
Dr. Fares Al-Momani, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at QU, discussed the 4th Global Energy Storage Conference, saying, “The Global Energy Storage Conference will offer a comprehensive program focusing on the latest innovations, applications, sustainability, and economic aspects of energy storage. Key topics include advancements in mechanical storage, hydrogen storage, electrochemical systems, and decarbonization technologies in transportation, heating, and cooling sectors. Participants will explore practical applications, such as flexible power plants, electric vehicles, off-grid systems, and supercapacitors, demonstrating the versatility of energy storage across various industries.”
He added, “There will be a strong emphasis on sustainability through sessions addressing renewable energy integration, life cycle analysis, and the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing storage systems. Discussions will also cover energy demand management, market models, business strategies, and regulatory considerations necessary for the sector’s growth. I am confident that this diverse program will not only highlight pioneering research but also foster meaningful discussions and connections, accelerating the transition to highly efficient and sustainable energy systems.”
The Energy Storage Conference will feature participants from a wide range of countries, including Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Canada, Algeria, Pakistan, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, China, South Korea, Australia, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey.
Dr. Mahmoud Barhamgi, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at QU, commented on the 25th International Conference on Web Information System Engineering, “This conference is one of the most significant global scientific events specializing in web systems engineering. It focuses on a variety of web-related topics, such as enhancing digital content search mechanisms, strengthening web security, expert algorithms, and other areas contributing to the development of the future web.”
He continued, “The 25th edition of the conference features a distinguished program that includes scientific sessions, workshops, and discussions aimed at presenting and debating the latest scientific advances in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and their
applications on the web. This event brings together top experts from prestigious universities and leading global companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta to share their insights and experiences. Researchers and experts from over 50 countries will gather to explore innovative web technologies that impact various aspects of life and contribute to their improvement.”
Dr. Barhamgi also noted the strong national presence: “Qatar ranked first among Arab countries and fourth globally in the number of accepted scientific papers at the conference, following China, Australia, and France, and ahead of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.”
Visit Qatar’s platinum-tier sponsorship of the congress reflects Qatar’s rapid development as a hub for innovation, education, and cultural exchange. This collaboration offers an invaluable opportunity to inspire participants with Qatar’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, showcasing the country’s commitment to fostering global connections and supporting academic excellence.