KFAS to host Kuwait-Imec Visionary Seminar Oct 12
The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) will host the Kuwait-Imec Visionary Seminar entitled “Reconnaissance technology for a sustainable future” at the Sheraton Hotel on Oct 12. “The seminar is a first-of-its-kind event which will allow scientists, businessmen, industrialists and everyone interested in the establishment and development of technology-based industries in Kuwait the chance to be exposed to research and development activities that will lead to futuristic technologies aiming towards sustainability,” said Adnan Shihab, the Foundation’s Director General.
Shihab, speaking during a press conference yesterday at KFAS’ headquarters, added that the seminar will act as a platform to exchange ideas leading towards opportunities for further research and investment partnerships. He revealed that KFAS has provided support for the research program of cooperation between Kuwait University and Imec in two phases in order to develop photovoltaic cells from crystalline silicon with high efficiency and lower cost to be used in solar power generation.
He added that resident researchers from Kuwait University will collaborate closely with Imec researchers at Imec’s facilities in Leuven, Belgium and in Kuwait, and they will contribute to the research program with their excellent technology-modeling and simulation expertise. “The joint research program between the Kuwait University and the Belgian institute includes two phases have been completed the first phase of it between (2015-2013) has been initiated with the second phase beginning in 2016, expires in 2018,” he said.
Shihab explained that the institution called on local authorities and relevant bodies, including those in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to participate in the forum in order to spread the benefits, as well as private sector companies involved. Director of Research at the Kuwait Foundation for Advance ment of Sciences Dr Essam Al-Sayed Omar said that the forum includes seven lectures of 25 minutes each offering the latest advances in digital technology applications, and will discuss aspects of the possible ways of cooperation and investment with the private sector. “The lectures will discuss a variety of topics such as intelligent systems and technology energy, semiconductor technology applications in the field of healthcare, removable electronic systems for wear, Internet of things, electronic flexible chips, photovoltaic energy and energy for smart cities,” he explained.
Dr Yasser Abdul Rahim, head of the research program with Imec from Kuwait University and member of the organizing committee of the conference, said that the program has been a success. He noted that this project aims to develop research capacity within Kuwait University so that it becomes possible in the future to manufacture solar cells in Kuwait. As a result of this research collaboration, efficiency of solar cells that have been developed from silicon material has risen to over 23 percent and the cost of manufacturing is low.
Dina Al-Naqeeb, energy director of KFAS, said the number of those registered for the Imec forum has exceeded 160 people from local private and government institutions, in addition to telecommunications companies that are interested in medical applications and healthcare. She added that there is no entry fee, and those wishing to register in the forum should visit www.kfas.org/imec2016.