Qatar Foundation names Dr Hamad Al-Ibrahim as Executive Vice President of Research and Development

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) announced the appointment of Dr. Hamad Al-Ibrahim as Executive Vice President of Research and Development at QF.

Dr. Al-Ibrahim assumed his new position on October 12, 2015 and will contribute to QF’s overall mission by advancing and promoting the organisation’s research initiatives, a key aspect of Qatar’s projected transformation to a knowledge-based economy.

Having held the position as Director of Planning and Strategic Initiatives at Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D), Dr. Al-Ibrahim has contributed significantly to developing the 5-year business plan, initial performance monitoring system, and portfolio analysis of QF R&D and its research entities.

Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) is charged with the Qatar National Research Strategy (QNRS), dedicated to making Qatar a leading center for research and development excellence and innovation. 

Mr Faisal Al-Suwaidi, QF President of Research and Development, welcomed Dr. Al-Ibrahim and highlighted the experience he brings to this role as the new Executive Vice President.

“Dr Hamad has the required background and skills to carry the implementation of the Qatar National Research Strategy, and coordinate among R&D stakeholders from academia, government entities, industry and international partners. We wish him all the success in his new role.”

Dr. Al-Ibrahim reflected optimism in noting, “Our team is ready to work with partners within Qatar Foundation and stakeholders beyond the Foundation to strengthen Qatar’s R&D talent and capacities so that we can, together, succeed in creating an R&D ecosystem that will contribute to solving the country’s grand challenges and help transform Qatar into a knowledge economy.”

Before joining QF in 2012, Dr. Al-Ibrahim had worked on designing the QNRS as part of the RAND think-tank team, where he led the Health component discussion of the strategy. While at RAND Qatar Policy Institute, he gained international experience in developing public policies working as a Research Project Manager and an Associate Analyst. Dr. Al-Ibrahim also worked with the Supreme Council for Health to develop a clinical services framework for clinical service planning. He also worked on two projects for the Qatar National Food Security Program to develop the budget for its master plan and to support human resources planning through the engagement of key stakeholders. 

Dr. Al-Ibrahim serves as a Board member of ESCWA Technology Centre Board of Governors and as a National Coordinator of the MENA Innovation Dashboard.

Dr. Al-Ibrahim has a medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Executive M.B.A. from HEC Paris, and currently he is pursuing his Ph.D. in Public Policy at King's College.