Qatar sets its sights on global scientific domination

Abstract

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. The seeds for Qatar's development drive were sown in the creation of the Qatar Foundation in 1995, which the country's head of state Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani charged with overseeing and channelling funds to the country's science plans. Since then, the country has been moving rapidly towards a solid framework for scientific development. In 2008, it outlined a development strategy called the National Vision 2030, a far-reaching plan intended to push forward economic, social, and environmental development, with science at its foundation. A year later, Qatar set up a Supreme Council of Health to transform the country's public health system through evidence-based policies. Education City, the Qatar Foundation's flagship project, is perhaps the most striking emblem of Qatar's eagerness to develop its science base. The glittering 14 km2 campus in Doha houses campuses of several foreign universities including the Weill Cornell Medical College and University College London (conservation and archaeology). This concentration of several specialties is intended to push the country through a lightning-fast renaissance to create new generations of highly skilled Qataris to power the economy. Yet Qatar knows that developing countries often lose their skilled professionals to more developed nations. To avoid brain drain, Qatar is trying to create a rewarding research environment, says Javaid Sheikh, dean of Weill Cornell's Qatar campus. Graduates often go overseas to complete their training, he says, “but we have a comprehensive plan to attract them back to Qatar, which includes offering faculty positions, and world-class clinical care facilities”. 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”.