DOHA, Qatar, Wednesday, December 22nd 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
* QSAS ambitious to make Qatar “the capital of sustainable building”
* Student Saudi engineers and architects to learn QSAS
* QSAS focus of Green Building Solutions Conference & Exhibition 2011
The Barwa & Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI) and King Fahd University for Oil and Minerals have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the field of teaching and implementing the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS) in the university curriculum and contribute in the field of research and development of environmental issues of common interest.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Adel Bin Shaheen Aldosari, King Fahd University for petroleum and Minerals, Head of Cities and Districts Planning Department, and Dr. Yousef Al-Horr, BQDRI's Founder and Chairman in the company of senior management from both organizations.
“After four years of hard and continuous work in developing QSAS, we believe with no doubt, it provides strong scientific base to accomplish sustainable development in the urban scene in whole GCC countries” said Dr. Alhorr.
“Our groundbreaking partnership with King Fahd University, one of the leading educational institutions in the region, will advance the reliability of the system and will open new horizons for mutual cooperation in the fields of research, development and training, which will have positive impacts on QASAS in all sides”
“By introducing QSAS in our curriculum, King Fahd University is teaching the engineers and architects of the future to adopt a sustainability ratings assessment system that contributes to preserving the architectural identity of the Gulf region, preserve the natural resources and maintains the economic and environmental balance for the benefit of the region. This is in line with international trend directing toward expanding the adoption of sustainable building practices,” says Dr. Adel Aldosari, King Fahd University.
Under the terms of the MoU, QSAS will be integrated into the teaching and academic research curriculum at King Fahd University, to connect the students with scientific tools and knowledge which enhance their education. In addition, the parts of QSAS which exceed 25 folders, will form a live and momentum material for the students’ graduation projects and will help to put the theoretical frames into practical models on the real ground.
“Our vision to this strategic partnership with King Fahd University, one of the leading universities in the middle east, is consistent with our noble goal in this field, which is creating a leading sustainable building model in the world. We are confident that if the efforts get united in this region, this dream will become true”.
Developed by the BQDRI in cooperation with experts and researchers from the T.C. Chan Center for Building Simulation and Energy Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, QSAS focuses on local needs and implements the best practices taking into consideration the region’s social, economic, environmental and cultural conditions that are different from other parts of the world.
“Issues such as resource smoothing, power consumption, scarcity of water and cultural identity are at the core of QSAS and are interpreted in a way which meets the needs of the GCC climate and environment. This will be useful to our students and will provide important scientific material to the teachers to conduct more studies and research on it, and we are going to provide BQDRI with our research and study results to benefit from them in developing QSAS” added Dr. Aldosari while speaking about the motivations which led King Fahd University to take this step.
The initiative of King Fahd University to adopt QSAS as one of its supporting programs in its educational curriculum comes within many important initiatives to activate QSAS and transform it from theoretical field to implementation. Lusail City has taken the initiative to adopt QSAS as a main aspect to get the building license in the city since last June, where BARWA real estate has announced its adoption of QSAS in all its future projects, in addition to the announcement of Ashgal to implement QSAS standards in its projects and adopt it gradually, and the big support QSAS is receiving from Kahramaa. “This, no doubt, will position the Qatari capital in the front to become “the green building capital; this is the ambition which QSAS aims to accomplish”
Dr. Al-Horr announced that QSAS will be the focus of the first Green Building Solutions Conference & Exhibition (GBS) 2011, the Middle East’s largest event related to sustainable development in the construction industry.
Under the Patronage of HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and organized by the BQDRI in partnership with Qatar Expo Event Management and Grey Doha, GBS 2011 will take place in Doha from 2nd to 4th March 2011.
Demonstrating Qatar’s commitment to ‘creating a green legacy for generations to come’, GBS 2011 brings 500 local, regional and international real estate developers, consultants and project managers, energy companies, government ministries and related industries to participate in a series of inspiring workshops, presentations and speeches, including a workshop introducing delegates to QSAS.
“From the ocean to the Gulf, the region is experiencing huge transformation and witnessing incredible achievements. QSAS and the Green Building Solutions Conference & Exhibition 2011 will enable governments and industry leaders to exchange expertise and show their experience in the field of building which was, and still is, the main driver of economic growth in the whole world”,” concluded Dr. Al-Horr.
To register for conference, exhibition and sponsorship packages at Green Building Solutions Conference & Exhibition Doha 2011, visit www.qgbt2010.com.qa
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Go Green with BQDRI
The BARWA and Qatari Diar Research Institute (BQDRI); a joint venture between Barwa Knowledge, Subsidiary of Barwa Real Estate, and Lusail Real Estate Development Company, Subsidiary of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company; is a non-governmental organization whose purpose is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices in Qatar.
BQDRI aims to build and strengthen a strong and vibrant local, regional and global consortium and network of respected research institutions, consulting and technology companies, real estate estate and construction companies, governmental and professional organizations that have genuine interest and commitment to support the strategic objectives of the Institute to address the environmental challenges and empower the construction society to apply sustainable applications and practices.
Our vision is for Qatar to be a leader in the field of sustainable development, design and construction, and for BQDRI is to be one of the driving forces behind this transformation.
Our Objectives
§ Knowledge Creation - BQDRI will engage in research relates to the development of knowledge and processes whose applications range from the building to the urban scale.
§ Research-based Consultancy - BQDRI will offer research based consultancy services on existing buildings and new construction projects as well as testing simulations and system integration.
§ Information Dissemination - BQDRI will provide educational opportunities for professionals through teaching & Research, training & workshops and publications.
§ Business Development & Administration - BQDRI will strategically partnering with local, regional and international organizations to develop strategic and innovative solutions in the fields of Renewable, Materials & Products Manufacturing, Recycling and Transportation
For media enquiries, please contact:
Salah Al Ayoubi – Head of Marketing & Business Development
Mobile: +974 33068397
Email: salah.alayoubi@barwa.com.qa
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