Experts in the field of sustainability presented riveting talks this month at Qatar Foundation’s homegrown academic institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). On September 13, the University hosted Mr. David Hone, chief climate change advisor at Shell, who spoke on environmental sustainability and the road to low-emission energy systems. In the field of organizational and corporate sustainability, HBKU also welcomed speakers from the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences on September 20, who talked about governance best practices in the airline and automotive industries. 

Held in Education City, both events showcased HBKU’s ongoing commitment to being an important voice in the sustainable growth of the country, and its role in facilitating open discussions and knowledge-sharing in the field.

Mr. Hone, who is an international expert in the field of energy, presented a talk titled A Better Life with a Healthy Planet: Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions to a packed auditorium at the HBKU Student Center. Master’s and doctoral students in attendance from HBKU’s sustainable energy and sustainable environment programs got the opportunity to engage with Mr. Hone at a question-and-answer session after his talk, and at a networking event that followed the seminar. 

Mr. Hone’s presentation was well-received by members of the wider community, which was comprised of energy and environment professionals, who got a chance to learn more about recent advances in the field of climate change. As the industry undergoes massive transformation, Mr. Hone helped garner thoughtful insights into the challenges and opportunities of achieving an environmentally sustainable, zero-emission planet.

On September 20, HBKU hosted experts from Germany’s Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, who presented two talks at a seminar titled Corporate Governance in the Airline and Automotive Industries. Anhalt University’s Dr. Cornelia Scott spoke on the role of the supervisory board in German corporate governance and Dr. Frank Himpel presented on strategic coopetition in international contexts.  

Using Volkswagen AG as a case study, Dr. Scott presented on company governance issues in the automotive industry and organizations’ roles in corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Dr. Himpel gave the attendees a deeper understanding of inter-organizational governance perspectives within the airline sector. With an ever-increasing need for transparency and a commitment to sustainable growth, the talks showcased an insightful and nuanced perspective to corporate governance. 

The events build on other academic initiatives and research conducted at HBKU. Students and faculty members pursuing the fields of sustainable energy, environmental sciences and public policy issues, were given the opportunity to engage and share perspectives at these two events. 

HBKU’s Ms. Maryam Al Mannai, who is the vice president of student affairs, said: “We are proud to be a facilitator of these discussions, and will continue to take on the responsibility of being a thought leader in the field of sustainability. Now more than ever, we strive to embody and advocate sustainable practices, both environmentally and organizationally, as we continue to play an important role in achieving Qatar’s 2030 vision.”