A chair agreement was signed between Qatar University (QU) and Thales to establish the Thales Professorial Chair in Cyber and Computing Security (CCS) at QU. The Chair will be housed in the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department at the College of Engineering (CENG).
The agreement reinforces the MoU that was signed between the two organizations in November 2013 to provide training opportunities for Qatari students on new and emerging technologies in the field of cybersecurity. Its aim is to establish cooperation between the academic environment and industry on information systems and data security and related associated services. It will also contribute to Qatar’s development in the information and communications technologies, and help towards the creation of a knowledge-based economy.
The Chair will benefit students of the CENG Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments who will gain opportunities for practical experience in research and development at QU and at Thales’s office in Qatar Science Technology Park (QSTP).
In the terms of the agreement, both parties will cooperate to provide research and consulting activities, develop tailored training programs, and engage in CCS-related activities.
The chair agreement was signed by QU President Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al-Misnad, and Mr. Pierre Jeanne, Thales Vice President in charge of cybersecurity technologies and solutions, in the presence of many personalities including CENG Dean Dr. Rashid Alammari and academic leaders, QU VP and Chief Academic Officer for Academic Affairs Dr. Mazen Hasna, the French Ambassador to Qatar H.E. Mr. Eric Chevallier and several officials from the French Embassy, Thales, ictQATAR and QU, along with representatives from leading information and communication organizations in Qatar.
CENG Dean Dr. Rashid Al-Ammari said: “This agreement to establish a new chair represents the spirit of cooperation between academia and industry and the commitment of both to graduate highly professional engineers in various disciplines. We are proud of this partnership which will add great value to education and research at QU and advance CENG students’ skills and capabilities to match labor market needs”.
H.E. Mr. Eric Chevallier, French Ambassador in Qatar said: “I welcome very warmly this Cybersecurity Chair Agreement between Qatar University and Thales. This partnership is a new milestone in the development of the links between Qatar and France in the field of education that I am strongly committed to strengthen”.
Mr. Pierre Jeanne, Thales Vice President in charge of cybersecurity technologies and solutions, added: “In November last year, we made a commitment to help develop Qatari professionals in the field of emerging technologies and cybersecurity by partnering with Qatar University. The results of our promise are now coming to fruition and the collaboration will help both parties learn from each other to develop solutions that will protect Qatari networks from cybercrime. Thales is proud to support Qatar’s efforts, especially those of Qatar University, to meet the cybersecurity challenge that constitutes one of the priorities for the country”.
