Eleven of London’s leading universities have used an innovative exhibition at Katara Cultural Village to share knowledge about new technologies and highlight opportunities for collaboration with institutions and individuals in Qatar.
The exhibition, by the London Universities International Partnership (LUIP) and backed by the £2m GREAT UK Challenge Fund, part of the UK Government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, explored the role of knowledge and skills in the development of ‘Smart Cities’, in support of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
The showcase, designed to represent the flow of the River Thames in London, demonstrated how London’s universities are educating the next generation of city leaders, educators, planners, creatives, medics, researchers and builders. It explored a number of themes including building on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games by working on projects aimed at making communities healthier and drawing on the creativity of the revitalised area around the Olympic Park in East London. Other ideas on show included initiatives to build sustainable homes and workplaces, projects to monitor the quality of food for humans and animals, and a programme about how schools can produce the leaders of the future.
London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Matthew Pencharz, who has championed the use of technology to help cities modernise and function more efficiently, said: “Collaboration between universities in London and Qatar-based institutions and individuals continues to grow and we are keen to build on that relationship to forge more partnerships in the future.
“It is the sharing of current thinking and research on smart cities through to the teaching of the next generation of city planners – whether that be town planners, civil engineers or more likely technologists who are creating new apps and programmes – that will continue to have profound effects on today’s cities and how we all live.
“The LUIP showcase at Katara is a wonderful demonstration of the depth of creativity and ideas in London’s universities, which in turn can assist Qatar.”
More than 100,000 international students from over 200 nations choose to study in London each year. The British capital is a trusted destination for students and accreditations earned in the UK are recognised and respected all over the world.
The British Ambassador to Qatar, His Excellency Ajay Sharma, said: “The relationship between students from Qatar and the United Kingdom is strong and enduring. So many of Qatar’s leading figures have spent time studying in the UK and I am delighted that each year this figure increases. I am sure this will continue to be the case as demonstrated by the high level of interest in the London Universities International Partnership showcase at Katara. Britain is well placed, through its world class educational institutions, to assist Qatar in building a knowledge-based economy which is fundamental to delivering the 2030 National Vision. This is an important part of the partnership between the UK and Qatar, which I am committed to supporting.”
Jennifer Parsons, LUIP Chair, added: “Our visit to Qatar has been a tremendous success with many people and organisations expressing an interest in collaborating across a range of areas, including education, sports and aeronautics among others. The shared history between London and Qatar creates a level of trust that is essential for effective collaboration. Thank you to everyone in Qatar who’ve made our visit so successful.”
The LUIP showcase at Katara was designed by a Middle East graduate from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in the United Kingdom.
For further information about studying in London visit www.luip.co.uk
