To enhance the excellent research culture within the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD), the FTMD Weekend Colloquium (Kolokium Akhir Minggu FTMD/ Kolam FTMD) program has become a vital forum for scientific discussions. This program provides in-depth insights into research, studies, and knowledge from various disciplines. 

The Kolam FTMD program invites experts and researchers from across the globe. These international experts, with their wealth of experience and knowledge, inspire and motivate us. Their goal is to foster a superior scientific culture at FTMD, enrich the insights of students and faculty, and open opportunities for international research collaboration. 

One particularly beneficial session was a presentation by Prof. Albertus Retnanto, PhD, on July 29, 2024, titled “Qatar Research Funding.” This discussion was moderated by Prof. Dr. Ir. Ichsan Setya Putra. Prof. Albertus, a Program Chair and Professor of Practice at Texas A&M University in Qatar explained the research programs in Qatar and the structure of research funding in the country. Prof. Albert and Prof. Ichsan, colleagues, played critical roles in introducing and facilitating this collaboration. 

In his session, he introduced the Qatar Foundation, established in 1995, which hosts dozens of centers and initiatives in education, research, and community development. Its flagship project is Education City, home to several world-renowned educational institutions, including Texas A&M University. 

During his presentation, Prof. Albertus highlighted Qatar’s national ambitions through Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to make Qatar a leading center for research and development, focusing on sustainable energy, health, and technology. To achieve these goals, Qatar has invested substantial funds in educational and research facilities, promoting collaboration between the government, private sector, and academic institutions. 

Qatar’s efforts to become a major player in innovation and scientific research are a crucial part of its overall strategy to diversify its economy and reduce dependency on hydrocarbons. The Qatar Research Development and Innovation (QDRI) was formed to meet these national ambitions. Prof. Albertus explained several funding schemes under QDRI, including: 

– Climate Change and Environment Call (CCEC) 

– Food Security Call (MoM) 

– QNRF Tubitak Joint Call (AICC) 

– Path Towards Precision Medicine (PPM) 

– Academic Research Grant (ARG) 

 One of the exciting prospects of this Kolam FTMD session is the potential for international research collaboration with Indonesia through FTMD ITB, being one of the potential partners along with an East Asian country. Prof. Albertus provided more details about the possible schemes with FTMD, such as the ARG. The ARG is designed to support researcher-led R&D to generate new knowledge and deepen scientific understanding on topics aligned with national RDI priorities, with funding reaching up to 246,561 USD. 

The Climate Change and Environment Call (CCEC) scheme also holds potential as a form of collaboration. It aims to address several priorities identified in Qatar’s national environmental and climate change strategy. Another scheme is the Qatar Spain Innovation Program (QASIP), which invites proposals from Qatari companies to collaborate with Spanish companies on innovation projects. 

Furthermore, the Kolam FTMD program will serve as a forum for in-depth scientific discussions and open significant opportunities for research collaboration with various international institutions. Through this initiative, FTMD plans to collaborate with countries firmly committed to research, such as Qatar and East Asia. This collaboration is expected to enrich insights, strengthen global networks, and enhance the quality of research at FTMD, thus making a more significant contribution to the advancement of science and technology.