Ongoing efforts to tackle COVID-19 set the scene for a webinar organized by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in partnership with the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) and Arab-American Frontiers.

Held November 11, COVID-19: US, Arab and Global Perspectives took stock of how the world has so far responded to the pandemic and measures for confronting further spikes in infection rates. From there, discussions turned to dealing with global travel restrictions, the opening and closing of workspaces, and plans for the rapid and equitable distribution of potential vaccines. Due consideration was also given to how societies and research communities can be better prepared to face future pandemics.

COVID-19: US, Arab and Global Perspectives featured contributions from an esteemed panel of globally-renowned experts. The United States was represented by Dr. Saad Omer, Director of the Yale Institute for Global Health and Associate Dean (Global Health Research) at the Yale School of Medicine, and Dr. Mark Smolinksi, President of Ending Epidemics. A local perspective was provided by Dr. Laith Abu Raddad, Professor of Healthcare Policy and Research, Assistant Dean for Extramural Research Funding, and Director of the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Biomathematics Research Core at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Ellie Graeden, Founder and CEO of Talus Analytics.     

Speaking after the webinar, Dr. Dena Ahmed S. Al Thani, Assistant Professor at HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering and co-chair of the webinar, said: “Shared global concerns require shared global responses, and COVID-19 is no exception to the rule. That said, there are numerous subtle differences as to how states and regions confront the coronavirus, some more effective than others. 

“In this respect, this webinar was a useful vehicle for tying Arab responses to COVID-19 with other parts of the world. Doing so benefits the coordination of activities and sharing of best practices at a time when both are needed the most. Our co-organizers, NASEM and Arab-American Frontiers, share that sentiment and we’re grateful for their contribution to this thought-provoking event.”

HBKU will build on its partnership with the Arab-American Frontiers program by co-hosting the Eighth Arab-American Frontiers Symposium next year. Taking place in Doha from November 1-3, 2021, the event will discuss major scientific advances on a wide array of topics relevant to the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond. 

The international symposium will feature discussions on e-health, emerging technologies and society, and much more. Applications are now open to talented scientists, engineers or medical professionals who are aged 45 or younger. The deadline to apply is December 31 2020.