Speech

Explore QSTP Opening Speech

Khalid Mannai
Vice Chairman, Mannai Corporation QSC
Member, Board of Governors, Qatar Science & Technology Park

Explore QSTP exhibition
Ritz-Carlton Doha
4 September 2006

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you today to the Explore QSTP exhibition.

Many of you will have heard about Qatar Science & Technology Park before, but perhaps you may not be familiar with all the activities that are being planned at the science park, and our partners that are helping to make it a reality.

That is why we wanted to hold this exhibition - to open QSTP up to whole community in Qatar, and show the foundations that are being laid to foster Qatar's knowledge economy.

After me Dr. Eulian Roberts, the chief executive of QSTP, will give a talk about the details of the science park. But let me share a few comments first about the history of QSTP and where we are going.

As you know His Highness the Emir of Qatar and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned created Education City in 1995. At the time nothing like this had been done before in the world, and people said we were taking a big risk.

11 years later we have five highly regarded international universities, plus of course the excellent Qatar University, and the wisdom of that decision has been proved. These universities are ensuring Qatar's continued prosperity by providing the best possible education for our future scientists, engineers, doctors and artists.

The world is becoming ever more globalised, and it is important for Qatar's economy to be internationally competitive. So what needs to happen is for the knowledge and skills that are developed at Education City to be transferred to industry. That is the core reason why Qatar Science & Technology Park was created.

In essence, the science park is two things. First, it is a place where existing companies come to do research and to commercialise their technologies. This provides opportunities for our scientists and engineers, and forms the cornerstone of an R&D community in Qatar.

Second, it is a place where new technology companies are created and grow. This makes sure that the fruit of Qatar's investment in research stays here in the country, and benefits our society and economy. It also creates opportunities for Qatar's entrepreneurs and business people.

If you have driven out past Education City lately you will have seen on the right side of the road a very large construction site of red steel. That is Qatar Science & Technology Park taking shape, so you can see with your own eyes that this vision is quickly becoming a reality.

Although Qatar Science & Technology Park is a part of Qatar Foundation, ultimately our success comes from the partners that join us. For this we are especially grateful for the commitment and investment by the companies that have already joined the science park, and you will learn more about them at this exhibition. I wish however to briefly make a special mention of the commitment by our anchor tenants; EADS, ExxonMobil, GE, Microsoft, Shell and Total. These companies said "Yes we will be a part of QSTP" even when it was still just an idea, and we thank them for sharing our vision from the outset.

Thank you very much for joining us at this exhibition. I hope you find the seminars informative and enjoy the displays next door. Qatar Science & Technology Park is for everyone in Qatar and we look forward to continuing to share our progress with you.

Thank you.