Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, visited the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) on 27 February 2023, where she was given a tour of the facility and a temporary exhibition space showcasing the latest achievements of selected companies, including the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD).

Speaking with Her Highness, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, GORD’s Founding Chairman, highlighted the organization’s ongoing research at QSTP, which covers energy efficiency and sustainable built environment, as well as the many research projects that are in advanced technology readiness levels (TRLs). Dr. Alhorr talked about the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), which has become the most adopted green building rating system in the Gulf region with 2,000 projects. He emphasized the importance of such systems in promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation. He also talked about the global impact of the Global Carbon Council (GCC), which is a spinout of GORD and has become the first voluntary carbon market in the MENA region. As of 2023, GCC has attracted GHG mitigation projects from more than 40 countries. Among GORD’s research projects highlighted by Dr. Alhorr was Synergia7n1 – a novel fresh air handling system designed to cool and ventilate open and enclosed spaces with minimal carbon footprint compared to conventional fresh air conditioning units. Synergia has been recognized by the Association of Energy Engineers as an innovative energy technology that earned its inventor Dr. Yousef Alhorr AEE International Award for Energy Innovator of the Year 2022.

HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser expressed her pleasure for the work being done at QSTP by the member companies including GORD. “Today I was happy to visit Qatar Science and Technology Park and to meet with individuals and representatives of start-ups and QSTP member companies. Since 2009, QSTP has been a centrepiece of the vision of Qatar Foundation as a hub where scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs are supported to develop their ideas,” she wrote.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dr. Alhorr said, “It was an honor to showcase GORD’s latest projects and initiatives to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser during her visit to QSTP. Through our multi-year projects focused on low-carbon development, GORD has developed novel sustainable solutions that have a significant impact locally, regionally and globally. As an entity driving sustainability, we are grateful for the continued support coming from Qatar’s national leadership in promoting environment-focused research and development endeavors.”