The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Katara Cultural Foundation Village, marking a significant milestone in enhancing astronomy and space science education in Qatar through the Al Thuraya Planetarium. The agreement was signed by Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, President of UDST, and H.E. Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, General Manager of the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, during a ceremony at Katara.
This partnership reflects UDST’s commitment to providing its students with cutting-edge education and hands-on experience. Through this MoU, UDST and Katara will collaborate on utilizing the Al Thuraya Planetarium for educational and outreach activities, exchanging expertise, and conducting joint training, workshops, and research initiatives.
Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, President of UDST, highlighted the significance of the agreement: “We are pleased to be collaborating with Katara Cultural Village Foundation to mark a significant step in advancing astronomy and space science education in Qatar. The University aims to develop programs that necessitate a combination of UDST’s academic expertise with Katara’s cultural and scientific resources; this merge creates new opportunities for knowledge exchange, research, public engagement, and hands-on learning experiences, benefiting students, faculty, and the wider community as they explore cutting-edge advancements in these fields”.
H.E Prof. Dr. Khalid Bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, the General Manager of Katara Cultural Village Foundation, said: “We consider this agreement to be a distinctive model of effective partnership between culture and education, as we firmly believe in integrating cultural renaissance with scientific and technological development”.
He also added: “This agreement reflects Katara's commitment to supporting education and scientific research while strengthening ties between academic and cultural institutions in Qatar. Our aim is to build a brighter future rooted in creativity and science. We look forward to this agreement achieving its ambitious goals in service to the community".
The MoU also guarantees that students will participate in structured visits, programs, and public engagement activities, allowing them to learn from industry experts and seasoned professionals, thereby enhancing both their academic and practical understanding of astronomy and space sciences.
This collaboration strengthens UDST's standing as a leader in applied education and underscores its commitment to fostering impactful partnerships that drive innovation and education.
