Within the activities of Qatar University’s Annual Research Forum and Exhition 2022, which was held from 3-4 October 2022, delegated by Dr. Hassan Al Derham, President of Qatar University; Prof. Dr. Maryam Al-Ali Al-Maadeed, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies in Qatar University, represented Qatar University in the signing ceremony of the Brazilian Company Blue Reef, represented by Mr. Sidney Cantu the CEO of Blue Reef, signing of the patent licensing contract.
Dr. Mariam Al Maadeed stated “The Environmental Science Center (ESC), led by Professor Hamad Al-Kuwari, is at the forefront of this journey towards the design and validation of such technologies. The ESC research team, led by Dr. Bruno Welter Giraldes have been intensely working to increase the Technology Readiness Level of a new technology related to conservation and restoration of marine resources. This innovative technology, a subsea asset will substantially support restoration of coral reefs and the associated reef biodiversity. By signing ceremony with the Blue Reef company the licensing of the Mushroom Forest Artificial Reef, a solution “Made in Qatar”, “Made at Qatar University to the World”, we are disclosing a technology designed, developed, patented, and validated here within our research facilities at Qatar University. This technology, which is at the commercialization stage, will be exported to Brazil supporting the restoration of marine resources.”
From that point of view Prof. Hamad Al Kuwari said, “It is our social responsibility, as the specialized research environmental center, to implement one of our research outcomes for marine resources restoration in terms of capacity and functionality. During the last few years, the ESC made significant strides in developing new technologies for the restoration of the coral reef ecosystem in the Arabian Gulf. In collaboration with our national stakeholders, we developed technologies that will be beneficial worldwide. The first commercialization of this research is being implemented in Brazil through a licensing agreement. This is another manifestation of the commitment of the ESC to be part of the international effort for the restoration of the coral reef ecosystem and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.”
Lastly Mr. Sidnei Cantu stated “Brazil has one of the largest highly productive coastal areas on earth and houses the largest freshwater resources globally. Searching for technologies, we found Dr. Bruno Giraldes, a marine researcher from the Environmental Science Center at Qatar University. After several negotiations, we agreed to use the Mushroom reefs concept, as a validated technology selected by our consultants, for supporting our services. Indeed, now in partnership with the Federal tourism Authority of Brazil we are planning to use this Qatari technology, among others, for creating coral reef farms and underwater parks for tourism and fishing parks for recreational fishing activities, consequently increasing the touristic boating activity in Brazil. Therefore, we are proud to celebrate this commercialization agreement in the Qatar University Annual Research Forum and Exhibition 2022 and we thank the Brazilian embassy of Qatar for their support.”
The patent is owned by Qatar University and registered in the name of Dr. Bruno Giraldes, reserach professor at the Center for Environmental Sciences. A Qatari technology that will be used to be a subsea asset for restoring the marine resources on the coasts of Brazil, for reviving marine life on those beaches. Indeedd, a large shore line in Brazil were subjected to environmental destruction as a result of coastal construction work or due to various pollutants. As of now, Brazil will use this modern subsea technology tested in the Qatari beaches for gardening coral reefs. This great achievent regarding the research and Development of technologies was designed at the Environmental Sciences Center (ESC) in Qatar University under the direction of Prof. Dr. Hamad Al-Kuwari, Director of the Center.
The ceremony was attended by a group of university professors ,researchers, and industrial company representatives. , and Mr. Diogo Gugisch, Brazilian Diplomat, on the behalf of His Excellency the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil in the State of Qatar, Mr. Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado. The attendees praised the efforts exerted by Qatar University recently in entering strongly into the knowledge economy. It is worth mentioning that the marine life restoration tests have proven the remarkable effectiveness of this modern technology compared to others in the markets, which makes this modern method and this local Qatari product presence in global markets in the near future.
Source: Qatar University