Experts in the field of sustainability presented riveting talks this month at Qatar Foundation’s homegrown academic institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).  David Hone, chief climate change advisor at Shell, spoke on environmental sustainability and the road to low-emission energy systems. HBKU also welcomed speakers from the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences who talked about 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.

David Hone 

Hone, 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 Centre. Students taking up Master’s and doctoral degrees from HBKU’s sustainable energy and sustainable environment programmes got the opportunity to engage with Hone at a question-and-answer session after his talk, and at a networking event that followed the seminar.

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 a massive transformation, Hone helped garner thoughtful insights into the challenges and opportunities of achieving an environmentally sustainable, zero-emission planet.

Experts from Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

On 20 September, HBKU also hosted experts from Germany’s Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, who presented two talks at a seminar on 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 while Dr Frank Himpel presented on strategic competition in international contexts.

Using Volkswagen AG as a case study, Dr Scott gave a presentation on company governance issues in the automotive industry and the roles of organisations in corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Dr Himpel gave the attendees a deeper understanding of inter-organisational 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 on these two events.

HBKU Vice-president of student affairs Maryam Al Mannai said they 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 organisationally, as we continue to play an important role in achieving Qatar’s 2030 vision.’

To learn more about upcoming events, workshops and seminars at HBKU, visit their website at hbku.edu.qa.