International Conference on Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climate 2021 (ICSEWEN21)

Strategic Partner

Knowledge  Partner

 

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) is organizing a specialized conference in November 2021 to address the challenges and opportunities in the Energy-Water-Environment (EWE) nexus, in particular the research and technology development requirements for the EWE nexus in harsh desert climates. Over 300 researchers, scientists, engineers, and stakeholders are expected to attend the four-day event, which will be held from November 22-25, 2021. We invite delegates to join the online event via our ICSEWEN21 virtual platform.

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Chair’s Welcome Message

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) is organizing a specialized conference in November 2021 to address the challenges and opportunities in the Energy-Water-Environment (EWE) nexus, in particular the research and technology development requirements for the EWE nexus in harsh desert climates. Over 300 researchers, scientists, engineers, and stakeholders are expected to attend the four-day event, which will be held from November 22-25, 2021. Delegates can attend the in-person sessions at the Minaratein, or log in via online platforms.

The main goal of this conference is to bring together international experts from academia and industry - as well as relevant stakeholders - to share the latest research, technology, and innovation developments. 

Attendees will aim to promote a better understanding of the links between energy, water and environment in order to develop key priority areas for human development and environmental sustainability. One important outcome of this conference will be the impact of the EWE nexus on food security. The conference will help to enhance understanding and find solutions to the specific challenges faced by the intrinsic EWE nexus in harsh desert climates, such as in Qatar. Experts will also discuss how energy and water utilization within the region can be maximized to address water, energy, and food security challenges while fostering a technological environment leading to value creation and impact in society and economy. The conference also aims to bridge the gap between research and industry and will provide a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue among scientists, researchers, industry partners, and policymakers.

The conference is in line with QEERI’s vision and mission of making the institute a reference center at the national, regional and international levels in the field of energy, environment, and water research and technology development, especially for Qatar and the MENA region.

The conference aims to: 

• Identify areas of collaboration on EWE nexus issues on a regional and international scale, and associated technology development and innovative approaches.
• Understand the challenges and barriers, and to develop potential solutions for relevant issues in the implementation of research in the area of energy, water, and the environment.
• Exchange ideas and share knowledge with experts and policymakers from around the world.
• Bridge the gap between research and industry, and address socio-economic impacts.
• Highlight the research capacity and capabilities relevant to Qatar and the region on the international stage.

For more about the first edition of the conference, IC-SEWEN’19, please click here. 

About Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) 

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), is a national research institute tasked with supporting Qatar in addressing its grand challenges related to energy, water, and environment.

QEERI – with its experienced scientists, engineers, and technicians supported by its focused management and operations teams, working within its world-class indoor and outdoor facilities – aims to make a lasting positive impact on Qatar and the region. The institute’s work is in line with the goals set forth by Qatar National Vision 2030, and is supported by Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation (QF RDI)

QEERI’s mission:

1. To meet the needs of Qatar and anticipate the future challenges:
   • Provide solutions in water, energy, and environment, in arid regions.
   • Advise and provide guidance: strategy-, policy-making/contributor.
   • Educate: knowledge base and future generations of Qatari scientists and engineers.
2. To secure sustainable water and energy resources, and provide the best possible environment to current and future generations.
3. To catalyze the construction of ecosystems, and to enhance the role and contribution of QF and Qatar on the international scene, in science and technology.

About Hamad Bin Khalifa University 

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF), was founded in 2010 to continue fulfilling QF’s vision of unlocking human potential. A homegrown research and graduate studies, the university acts as a catalyst for positive transformation in Qatar and the region while having a global impact.

Located within Education City, HBKU seeks to provide unparalleled opportunities where inquiry and discovery are integral to teaching and learning at all levels utilizing a multidisciplinary approach across all focus areas.

HBKU is committed to actively contribute to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030 by building and cultivating human capacity through an enriching academic experience and an innovative research ecosystem. Through applying creativity to knowledge, students will have the opportunity to discover innovative solutions that are locally relevant and have a global impact.

At HBKU our students, faculty, staff, partners, and leadership  all share a common belief in the power of higher education and research to make a positive impact on the development of nations.

More information at www.hbku.edu.qa 

About Education City

Qatar Foundation’s flagship initiative is a campus of more than 12 square kilometers that hosts branch campuses of some of the world's leading educational institutes, a homegrown university, and other research, scholastic, and community centers. Together, these institutes make Education City a unique model of academic and research excellence, pioneering a new approach to multidisciplinary, global education and enabling breakthroughs that benefit Qatar and the rest of the world.

Total number of students across our universities and schools: 8,000+
Universities located in Education City: 9
Schools as part of our pre-university education network: 11

More information at https://www.qf.org.qa/education/education-city

About Qatar

Qatar has been an independent sovereign state since 1971. Qatar comprises an 11,500 square kilometer peninsula extending northwards into the Arabian Gulf. It has 563 km of uninterrupted coastline. The country’s population stands at 2.69 million and its capital city is Doha.

Local time is GMT/UCT + 3 hours. There are no daylight savings adjustments.

Qatar has a desert climate with year-round sunshine, very hot summers and mild winters. Mean monthly temperatures range from 17°C in January to 36°C in July, sometimes reaching highs of 40°C+ during the summer. Rain is infrequent, falling in brief showers mainly in winter.

Capital: Doha
Population: 2.69 million
Area: 11,500 sq. km
Language: Arabic
Religion: Islam
Currency: Riyal
Power Connection: The power plugs and sockets are of type D and G. The standard voltage is 240 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

More information at https://www.visitqatar.qa 

The Local Organizing Committee of ICSEWEN21 warmly invites you to submit an abstract, either for oral or poster presentations. We welcome submissions from diverse and international contexts, with priority given to proposals that investigate topics related to Qatar and the Gulf region. 

Topical areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Power Systems and Smart Grids
• Sustainable Energy Solutions
• Wastewater Management
• Novel Materials for Environmental Applications
• Metallurgic Waste Management
• Pollution Control from Detection to Mitigation
• Sustainable Petrochemical Industry 
• Smart Building Technologies
• Public Health Impacts of Environmental Pollution
• Desalination
• Transportation Electrification
• Sustainability of Urban and Industrial Infrastructures
• New Sustainability Paradigms and Frameworks
• Solar Energy Applications
• Material Selection for Sustainable Power Plants
• Global Environmental Change
• Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies
• Food Security and the Energy-Water-Environment Nexus
• Climate Change Policy in the GCC
• Innovation and Sustainable Development Responding to COVID-19

Topics Description

Abstract Submission Guidelines 

• All abstracts must be submitted and presented in clear English. Submitted abstracts shall be a maximum of 250 words. The author can also upload supplementary material (figures, tables, etc.) that are relevant, but not included in the abstract. 
• The abstracts shall clearly indicate the research aim, the methodological approach, and the main obtained results. 
• The author can select the preferred method of presentation (oral or poster or both) and the preference will be noted by the reviewers. Final determination will be made by the Scientific Committee. 
• All submitted papers will be forwarded to the Scientific Committee for review. Notification regarding the review status will be sent once the review process is complete. 
• Abstracts must be original and not have been previously published, nor presented at any international meeting, prior to ICSEWEN21. 
• Presenting authors must be registered participants, and are expected to attend the virtual conference and present their work. 

Submission 

A selection of the best abstracts will be invited to submit a full paper to the special issue of the Springer Journal on Green Technology, Resilience and Sustainability - Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Arid Environments.

Accepted papers will be published on the topical issue free of charge for the authors.

Abstract Submission Deadline: October 1, 2021

The submission of abstracts will be managed through the online conference paper management system EasyChair. This system allows authors complete control over their submission. Authors can upload their abstracts and also check the review status. 

Notification of acceptance: October 15, 2021.

To submit an abstract, please follow the steps below: 

• Set up an account (username and password) as an author: click here
• Submit your abstract by logging into the ICSEWEN21 EasyChair website and following the “New submission” link: click here

Registration information

All attendees, including presenters and conveners, must register for ICSEWEN21 to attend the virtual sessions and participate in the Virtual Side Events, available on both mobile and desktop devices.

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) at HBKU sees the promotion of science and research among young people as a fundamental component of their mission and believes that the youth have a crucial role to play in bringing about a sustainable and significant positive change. 

As part of QEERI’s contribution to developing ‘thoughtful, committed citizens that can change the world’, the institute has consistently been committed to not just creating awareness about sustainability, but also giving young people an immersive experience – one that challenges them creatively and makes them push boundaries. This is at the core of the ‘Young Innovator’ competition: to learn, explore, transform, research, and implement a concept that can solve our energy, water and environment challenges.

“The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” Thomas Edison

The theme for this year’s competition is coupled with the upcoming QEERI conference (November 22-25, 2021) on sustainable solutions for the Energy-Water-Environment Nexus (ICSEWEN21). Each entry can explore topics that include (but not limited to) Water: security, reuse, management, sustainable technologies, pollution mitigation, treatment; Energy: solar energy, renewable energy, alternative fuel, biofuels; Environment: protection and prevention, risk assessment, human health impacts, environmental risk communication, urban pollution, waste minimization, wetlands, CO2 capture; material invention and innovation, nanotechnology etc.

Details about the Young Innovator Competition:

The competition is open to all school pupils in Qatar, with specific activities for different age groups. Students can submit artwork, essays, research posters, and presentations, depending on their category.

What is the topic?
“Old problems, new solutions: the next big thing for the Energy-Water-Environment nexus?”

Who can participate?

• Students from all Qatar-based schools recognized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education
• Students with a valid Qatar ID

Guidelines

• Every entry should have a faculty mentor and supervisor who will be the liaison point for QEERI
• Each school can only nominate a maximum of two entries per category
• Each participant can only submit one entry

More detailed information is available in the teachers support resource document. 

What are the categories and competitions?
Students will be categorized according to their age:

Junior Level: 6-9 years: Drawing and Painting*

• Junior Category 1 (JC1): 6-7 years old
• Junior Category 2 (JC2): 8-9 years old

* Individual entries only, no teams.  

Intermediate Level: 10-13 years: Research Poster and Presentation**

• Intermediate Category 1: 10-11 years old
• Intermediate Category 2: 12-13 years old

** Minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 persons per team. 

Senior Level: 14-17 years: Research Paper and Presentation***

• Senior Category 1: 14-15 years old
• Senior Category 2: 16-17 years old 

*** Minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 persons per team. 

What is required for registration?  

• The registration form needs to be filled in and submitted through the website
• Qatar ID copies of all the team members will need to be submitted
• Each team to have a faculty representative (teacher in-charge)  

What are the important dates?

• Registration Deadline: October 20, 2021
• Submission of Entries (Intermediate and Senior Category): October 31, 2021
• Submission of Artwork (Junior Category): October 31, 2021
• Finalists Announced: November 11, 2021
• Final Round Presentations and Award Announcement: November 23, 2021

The final round of presentation and the award announcement will be publicly streamed online on QEERI’s ICSEWEN21 conference platform. Access links will be made available on QEERI’s and HBKU’s social platforms and sent to the group’s liaison points to allow all the participants and their schoolmates and friends to attend the event.

What platform will be used for the competition?

All competitions will have online submissions only. After submitting their entry, participants will receive an email confirmation that the application was received. 

The final round of presentation and the award announcement will be publicly streamed online on QEERI’s ICSEWEN21 conference platform. Access links will be made available on QEERI’s and HBKU’s social platforms and sent to the group’s liaison points.

The finals will be held on an online platform: Webex Events. 

More information about event finals will be shared closer to the date.

This competition is being organized with the approval of the Ministry of Education

Download the rules of the Award.

Download teachers support resource document.

Please click here for registration