HH Sheikha Moza leads research visit to energy, solar research institutes in Japan

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), today led a high-level QF Research and Development (QF R&D) visit to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Tsukuba City, Japan.

The delegation first held a roundtable discussion with AIST President Dr Ryoji Chubachi and other representatives of the institute, whose mission is to use green technology to build an environment-friendly, healthy and safe society.

“Qatar Foundation welcomes your insights and experiences of helping to build a sustainable industrial society, in particular with regard to water and energy security,” said Her Highness.

The roundtable discussion focused on photovoltaic and energy storage programmes, and culminated in the signature of a Letter of Intent between AIST and QEERI. This aim is to progress collaboration between the two institutes, and should contribute to addressing the ‘grand challenge’ of energy security, as outlined in the Qatar National Research Strategy.

The delegation then moved on to the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), which is a leading global Institute for Materials research. They held a discussion with NIMS senior management, including President Dr Sukekatsu Ushioda, to explore potential synergies between NIMS and QEERI in materials technology and photovoltaics. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage joint research activities and exchanges between NIMS and QEERI.

Her Highness was accompanied by a high-level scientific delegation including President of QF Research and Development Mr Faisal Alsuwaidi and Executive Director of the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Dr. Mohammad Khaleel.