Oil for Science: Qatar global scientific domination ambition

[Abu-Salman]

The Lancet, Volume 378, Issue 9801,

 

Qatar sets its sights on global scientific domination

Priya Shetty

 

 

 

The tiny Gulf state of Qatar has plans underway to substantially develop its scientific infrastructure and attract some of the world's top scientists to its shores. Priya Shetty reports.

 

Brazil, China, and India may be the scientific heavyweights of the developing world, but they might soon need to make room for new contenders in the Middle East. To avoid being left economically bereft when their oil reserves eventually dry up, Arab countries have been pumping money into their science infrastructure.

 

One of the most enthusiastic countries to swap oil for science has been Qatar. This tiny oil-rich monarchy has launched an ambitious multibillion dollar plan to become a world leader in science within the next decade—and revolutionise its health-care system in the process. Although the country is cash-rich, its small population means it is low on human resources. As well as funding education programmes and building research parks, those leading Qatar's scientific revolution also need to devise innovative ways to lure foreign researchers, and retain Qatari scientists.

 

[...]Qatar is also desperate to attract overseas talent. “The biggest barrier by far for Qatar is its lack of human capital”, says James Wilsdon, director of science policy at the UK's Royal Society, which will soon release a report on scientific capacity in Qatar. “The total population is around 1·6 million but less than a quarter of these are Qatari nationals. They will be relying on their ability to attract international talent for the foreseeable future”, he adds. But parachuting in scientists for short periods will not solve Qatar's chronic shortage of human resources, says Abdelali Haoudi, vice president of research at the Qatar Foundation. “We are not simply importing cattle or sheep; we are trying to bring in the brightest scientists in the world. But this is not just for a few months—it's a long-term commitment.” Incentives could include offering Qatari citizenship, which might be especially appealing for researchers from poorer Middle Eastern countries, he says.

 

Qatar seems to be making good headway in creating a competitive research environment. 2012 will see the launch of SIDRA Medical and Research Centre, which received a US$7·9 billion endowment from the Qatar Foundation. SIDRA will coordinate its research with Weill Cornell and the Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar's public health provider. Traditionally, Middle Eastern hospitals have only ever provided care, and SIDRA will be the first in the region to combine health-care provision and research, says Haoudi. Qatar's research priorities are driven by national health problems such as chronic diseases. Women and children's health are also major focuses, and the country has a high rate of genetic abnormalities.

 

In time, all of this medical research should feed into the country's health system, which is also being overhauled. In April, Qatar launched an ambitious National Health Strategy to revolutionise health-care provision. “The goal is to bring health care to the masses”, says Sheikh. The strategy plans to do this by expanding community-based care, and improving primary care, which Sheikh says, is universally acknowledged as one of the biggest gaps in Qatar's health system.

At the core of Qatar's activity is steely determination. Qatar's ambition “has to be admired”, says Brian Clark, managing director of the Biobank Qatar for Medical Research. “I don't doubt Qatar will deliver its national strategy, because that's the attitude that prevails”.

 

 

 

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