Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in partnership with the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and Arab-American Frontiers held a Webinar on November 11 to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: US, Arab and Global Perspectives took stock of how the world has so far responded to the pandemic and measures for confronting further spikes in infection rates.

Participants also discussed dealing with global travel restrictions, opening and closing of workspaces, and plans for equal and fast distribution of potential vaccines.

It provided an opportunity to discuss how societies and research communities can collaborate and equip themselves to combat future pandemics.

The Webinar witnessed the contributions of many well-renowned experts from around the world. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Ellie Graeden, Founder and CEO of Talus Analytics, and featured a local perspective provide by Dr. Laith Abu Raddad, Professor of Healthcare Policy and Research, Assistant Dean for Extramural Research Funding, and Director of the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Biomathematics Research Core at Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar.

“Shared global concerns require shared global responses, and COVID-19 is no exception to the rule. That said, there are numerous subtle differences as to how states and regions confront the coronavirus, some more effective than others,” said Dr. Dena Ahmed S. Al Thani, Assistant Professor at HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering and co-chair of the webinar.

“In this respect, this webinar was a useful vehicle for tying Arab responses to COVID-19 with other parts of the world. Doing so benefits the coordination of activities and sharing of best practices at a time when both are needed the most. Our co-organizers, NASEM and Arab-American Frontiers, share that sentiment and we’re grateful for their contribution to this thought-provoking event.”

HBKU will continue to partner with the Arab- American Frontiers program and will co-host next year’s Arab-American Frontiers Symposium. The event will explore major scientific advances on multiple topics relevant to the Middle East and North Africa region.

It will also feature a discussion on e-health emerging technologies and society, and much more. With the deadline on December 31, talented scientists, engineers, or medical professionals aged 45 years or younger can apply for the event set to take place from November 1^st till November 3^rd.

For more information on HBKU’s initiatives, please visit https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en

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