Gulf Times reported that Qatar’s immense growth prospects in the aluminium industry have got a fillip with announcement of two positions of Qatalum and Hydro Chair at Qatar University’s Centre for Advanced Materials.

Professor Hans Roven and Professor Geir Martin Haarberg from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology will work towards expanding knowledge, research and innovation with aluminium alloys and processes in Qatar. The objective is to help position Qatar as a core knowledge centre for aluminium technology in the Middle East.

Dr Mariam A al Maadeed director of CAM said that “We will be launching a Master’s programme in this connection with an initial intake of eight students.”

Mr Khalid Mohamed Sultan Larem deputy CEO of Qatalum by playing a leading role at an educational level, Qatalum hopes to encourage students to take up careers in the aluminium industry.

Asserting that Qatalum maintains a strong commitment to the educational sector the official said that the company is more than willing to discuss further opportunities for research and development.

Qatalum has had great success supporting student research and internship programs over the years, allowing for hands on experience at the smelter. One of the largest producers of aluminium in the Middle East, Qatalum has already built a strong relationship with CAM to promote research and graduate studies building a stronger competence cluster in Qatar.

Mr Larem said that “Qatalum believes there is more value to be gained in promoting aluminium as a material of choice in the building-construction sector, structural and transportation sector, automotive sector and marine applications. Furthering the industrial application and usage of aluminium will create more opportunities and jobs in Qatar and the GCC.”