Qatar and Doha
History and Location
The State of Qatar is a sovereign and independent state in the Middle East. Since its complete independence from Britain in 1971, Qatar has emerged as one of the world’s most important producers of oil and gas. It is an Islamic State whose laws and customs follow the Islamic tradition.
The State of Qatar is a peninsula located amid the western coast of the Arabian Gulf. The peninsular is approximately 100km across and extends 200km into the Gulf. Qatar includes several islands, with the largest being Halul, Shraouh and Al-Asshat. It shares its southern border with Saudi Arabia and a maritime border Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.
General information about Qatar
Population: 2.5 million.
Capital City: Doha.
Language: Arabic is the official language of the country, though English is widely spoken.
Religion: Islam
Major Cities: Doha (capital), Al-Wakrah, Al-Khor, Dukhan, Al-Shamal, Msaieed, Ras Lafan and others.
Local Time: GMT +3 hours.
Climate: Qatar has a desert climate with year-round sunshine, hot summers and mild winters. Mean monthly temperatures range from 17°C in January to 36°C in July, sometimes reaching highs of 40°C+ during the summer. Rain is infrequent, falling in brief showers mainly in winter.
Currency: The monetary unit of Qatar is the riyal (abbreviated to QR or QAR). The exchange rate is fixed at US $1 = QR3.64. There are no foreign exchange controls. ATMs can be found in many locations and most shops and restaurants accept major credit cards.
Safety: Qatar has among the lowest crime rates in the world. It is a safe destination with religious and political stability. While normal precautions should be observed, visitors need to have little concern walking in any part of the country.
Customs regulations: Tobacco allowance: 400 cigarettes; Personal items and gifts up to a maximum value of QAR 3,000; Imports of alcohol and narcotics are prohibited.
Business hours: The workweek is from Sunday to Thursday, with most offices closed on Friday and Saturday. Ministries and Government Entities: from 7am to 2 pm; Private Companies and Organizations: from 8am to 12pm and from 4pm to 8pm; Banks: from 7:30am to 1pm.
Visa information: Citizens of over 95 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar.
Tourist Hotspots
Qatar has many touristic characters with its natural reserves, historic forts, international resorts and five star hotels, public parks, restaurants and malls. Qatar is considered one of the safest tourist destinations in the world, where the tourist will be able to observe the generous hospitality which characterize the Arabic culture. The following showcase some example of these tourist hotspots.
Corniche (Doha’s Waterfront Promenade)
A seven-kilometre long waterfront promenade around Doha Bay, the Corniche offers spectacular vistas of the city, from the dramatic high rise towers of the central business district to the bold shapes of the Museum of Islamic Art. Traditional wooden dhows lining the Bay evoke echoes of Qatar’s great seafaring past. The Corniche provides a green, vehicle-free pedestrian space in the heart of the capital.
Souq Wagif
A stroll down the bustling alleys of Souq Waqif provides an authentic taste of traditional commerce, architecture and culture. The maze of small shops offer a dazzling array of Middle Eastern merchandise from spices and seasonal delicacies to perfumes, jewellery, clothing, handicrafts and a treasure trove of souvenir bargains. Traditional music, art and cultural shows add to the ambience of this special place. Relax and soak up the vitality and atmosphere at one of its eclectic mix of great restaurants and cafes.
Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)
Experienceing 14 centuries of great art in a few hours, the MIA’s magnificent and imaginatively presented displays of the finest art and artefacts from across the Islamic world have earned it recognition among the world’s top cultural institutions. No visitor can fail to be impressed by the quality and diversity the collections, housed in a modern architectural masterpiece designed by IM Pei. The museum ensures fresh interest through its constantly changing programme of special exhibitions.
Khor Al-Udeid (Inland Sea)
Some 60 km from Doha in the south-eastern corner of the country lies one of Qatar’s most impressive natural wonders, the ‘Inland Sea’ or Khor Al Adaid. A UNESCO recognized natural reserve with its own ecosystem, this is one of the few places in the world where the sea encroaches deep into the heart of the desert. Inaccessible by road, this tranquil expanse of water can only be reached by across the rolling dunes.
The Pearl Qatar
The Pearl-Qatar is a man-made island off the West Bay coast featuring Mediterranean-style yacht-lined marinas, residential towers, villas and hotels, as well as luxury shopping at top brand name boutiques and showrooms. A popular dining spot, its waterfront promenades are lined with cafes and restaurants serving every taste – from a refreshing ice cream to a five-star dining experience. The Pearl is a popular visitor attraction by virtue of its chic elegance, inviting description as the ‘Arabian Riviera’.
Katara Cultural Village
An innovative interpretation of the region’s architectural heritage, this purpose-built development’s impressive theatres, galleries and performance venues stage a lively year-round programme of concerts, shows and exhibitions. Among Katara’s recreational attractions are a wide choice of dining options, including top class restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, and a spacious, well-maintained public beach with water sports.
Host of 2022 FIFA World Cup
The 2022 FIFA World Cup was an international football tournament contested by the men’s national teams of FIFA’s member associations, and it took place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022. To prepare this important international sport event, new stadiums have been built. It was intended that the stadiums should reflect Qatar’s history and culture, and for the designs to meet the following terms of reference: legacy, comfort, accessibility, and sustainability. Due to the local hot and arid weather conditions, the stadiums have been equipped with cooling systems in an attend to reduce temperatures within the stadium by up to 20 °C (36 °F). Al Bayt Stadium and Lusail Stadium are the two examples of these newly- built magnificent stadiums, where the opening match and final were respectively held. For more information about all the stadiums used for FIFA 2022 World Cup matches, please visit https://www.qatar2022.qa/en/tournament/stadiums.
Al Bayt Stadium
Lusail Stadium
Qatar University
Since its inception in 1977, Qatar University (QU) continues to serve as Qatar’s primary institution of higher education and has become today a beacon of academic and research excellence in the region. QU is committed to providing high-quality education in areas of national priority. Underpinning this commitment is the goal to align its colleges, programs, and courses with established international standards and best practices. As a result, QU has been successful in its accreditation initiatives, earning the endorsement of numerous leading international accrediting bodies.
QU hosts eleven colleges — College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Business and Economics (CBE), College of Education (CED), College of Engineering (CENG), College of Health Sciences (CHS), College of Law (LAWC), College of Medicine (CMED), College of Pharmacy (CPH), College of Sharia and Islamic Studies (CSIS), College of Dental Medicine (CDM) and College of Nursing. QU offers the widest range of academic programs — 50 Bachelors, 47 Masters, — in Qatar tailoring them to meet the needs of Qatari society.
Research is an integral part of the academic environment at QU and is bolstered by the state-of-the-art Research Complex, and 18 research centers of excellence. It is further enhanced by over 500 collaborative projects in over 130 countries. Community engagement is an area stationed at the heart of QU’s mission and vision. The University prides itself on the quality of its students and alumni and is committed to ensuring that campus life is an enriching environment for encouraging academic excellence, volunteerism, civic responsibility, and leadership.
QU is advancing its goal to become a leader of economic and social development in Qatar through collaborations and partnerships with industry, government, academia, business, and civil society in Qatar and beyond.
QU’s diverse and lively student body of over 23000 is a testament to the potential of Qatar’s greatest future leaders, respected scholars, and inspired artisans. In order to ensure students reach their full potential, they are presented with many unique opportunities and challenges. These include participation in Qatar’s top national competitions for grants, international conferences, exclusive study abroad and student exchange programs, and research positions.
In addition, all students are provided a wealth of resources to ensure their every requirement for success and exciting student life. These services include:
- An award-winning campus, featuring beautiful architecture, easy travel and navigation, many quality-of-life conveniences
- A state-of-the-art library, with an incredible selection of volumes, as well as numerous subscriptions to academic journals, and the ability to request new trials
- Cutting-edge software and communications tools for ease of access to course materials and their instructors
- Large and well-furnished men’s and women’s Student Activities Buildings, which offer an ideal place for students to meet, socialize, and network
- A Student Learning Support Center (SLSC), for course help and extracurricular workshops to enhance skills
- The Student Counseling Center (SCC); a top-class resource for students who wish to privately discuss important personal matters, including family planning, personal management, acclimating to university life, and anything else on their mind
- An impressive offering of cafeterias and dining options, catering to many individual tastes and health requirements
- University-sponsored events, trips, and activities, to enhance student life and also encourage meaningful social interaction with each other and faculty
New College of Engineering building complex at Qatar University
Conference Venue
The 15th International Conference of Applied Energy, ICAE2023, will be held at I11, the Student Affair Building, at the Campus of Qatar University. A map showing the campus highlighting I11 and the metro station is as follows. Conference participants can take Doha metro to Qatar University and I11 is within walking distance from the metro station. In December, the weather in Doha is pleasant for people to walk. However, shuttle buses connecting the metro and I11 are available.
IACE 2023 will be a key part of the 3rd International Congress for Engineering and Technology organised by the College of Engineering at Qatar University. The Opening of the Congress will be at the Main Hall of I11. The opening of ICAE2023, keynote sessions, parallel and poster sessions will be also at I11.
Student Affairs Building (I11) at Qatar University
Floor plans for I11
There are two levels of floor in I11, ground and first floors. The floor plans for both floors are shown below. On the ground floor, there is main hall which is divided into two halves. The first half is Room A1 for the openings of both Congress and ICAE2023 and the other half will be used for exhibitions and poster sessions. After the openings, Room A1 is also used for other keynote and / or parallel sessions. On the other hand, on the first floor, there are 8 rooms for parallel sessions: C243, C244, C245, C245, B219, B220, E215, and E216. Please refer to the floor plans for details.
Ground floor of I11
First floor of I11
Further information:
General information about Qatar;
https://mofa.gov.qa/en/qatar/history-of-qatar/general-information
Tourist information:
https://visitqatar.com
Qatar University:
http://www.qu.edu.qa
