College of Science and Engineering at HBKU and GWC Undertake a Collaboration on Research and Development

Joint research and development projects will focus on vital areas of logistics and supply chain management

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) recently signed a research collaboration agreement with Gulf Warehousing Company Q.P.S.C. (GWC), the leading logistics and supply chain solutions provider in Qatar and one of the fastest growing companies in the Region.

Combining their expertise and resources, HBKU CSE and GWC will collaborate to promote impactful and innovative research and development (R&D) in the fields of engineering, technology, and sciences with a special emphasis on logistics and supply chain management. The outcomes of this initiative will be geared toward boosting industry performance and achieving mutually beneficial new opportunities and ideas, while offering a scientific approach to problem resolution for issues facing the industry.

The agreement provides for GWC to collaborate with HBKU’s degree programs at the CSE, which include master’s and doctoral programs in logistics and supply chain management, to assist students’ research in these areas, acting as an extension to GWC’s R&D efforts. HBKU will also work with GWC to identify new research project opportunities for students pursuing degrees in relevant fields to further their academic development. Selected students may be offered financial support for their research activities, or a sponsorship/scholarship program, based on academic merit and relevance of research areas.

Recently named the first Regional Supporter and Official Logistics Provider for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, and the first logistics company to operate out of the Ras Bufontas and Um Al-Houl Free Zones, GWC will provide HBKU students, faculty and researchers access to top-notch facilities as well as excellent scientific advice on potential areas of research, including experimental methods, set-up, and design.

This collaboration aims to enhance knowledge diffusion between private sector and universities to improve employment possibilities and broaden the career paths of young professionals and feed the logistics sector with competent professionals ready to take up industry challenges.

Highlighting the objective of the collaboration, Dr. Mounir Hamdi, founding dean of CSE, said: “We were delighted to sign this agreement with GWC, an industry leader with a major contribution in two niche areas benefiting the country’s economic development. The agreement underscores our recognition of the need to develop highly qualified researchers and manpower in all fields related to logistics and supply chain management in Qatar. We also strive to maximize our graduates’ employability at CSE and our efforts to do so are helped by working with industry heavyweights who share this goal.”

Mr. Ranjeev Menon, Group CEO of GWC said in a statement: “We are pleased with this opportunity to build a collaborative relationship with HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering as a leading pillar of the higher education and research sector. GWC’s leading position drives us to always raise the bar and elevate industry standards while building bespoke logistics infrastructure and offering tailored solutions. Our joint efforts shall include research and development projects and encouraging training opportunities that support the achievement of the human development pillar of the country’s national vision.”

Dr. Tareq Al-Ansari, assistant professor, further explained: “The global pandemic, which has emphasised the importance of inventory management and distribution of vaccine and other critical items, in addition to the global drive towards developing smart and green supply chains, has proven that logistics and supply chain management capabilities are vital. CSE is keen to support the role of private sector entities such as GWC by developing future expertise in these and other areas of critical importance. The collaboration between CSE and GWC will therefore serve several important goals and is a strong example of the importance of partnerships in advancing skills development to support Qatar’s National Vision and its direction for our national economy.”

GWC underlined its critical role in the nation’s medical cold supply chain, ensuring the safe delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine from airport to injection site, in its capacity as the Authorized Service Contractor of UPS in the State of Qatar.

With Qatar hosting the 22^nd edition of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, GWC is poised to deliver the logistics mandate for the tournament, presenting unmatched opportunities to HBKU’s CSE students and researchers.

For more information on the work of the College of Science and Engineering, please visit cse.hbku.edu.qa