Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), launched its new ”Meet the Expert” series with a session from its member company, GE Aerospace.
The new series aims to bring together policymakers, industry experts, researchers, and academics from different sectors to share knowledge on strategic topics. Delivered through seminars, webinars, and panel discussions, the series will cover topics related to technology, innovation, EdTech, climate change, and advancing Qatar’s sustainability.
The inaugural session in the series was hosted by Main Canaan, Regional General Manager of Sales for GE Aerospace in the Middle East. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, certified pilot and powerplant mechanic, Canaan has three decades of experience in the aviation industry, having worked at GE Aerospace for the last 22 years and following roles at Eastern Airlines and ATA Airlines. Canaan has a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering and is pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace sustainability.
Attendees from a variety of industries and disciplines were able to hear insights from GE on how the aviation industry can be more sustainable and what this means from social, economic, and environmental perspectives. Participants were also given a workshop tour that included an overview of how maintenance activities are performed on GEnx engines powering the Boeing 787 and had an opportunity to see the world’s most powerful in-service commercial aircraft engine, the GE90e engine, which powers the Boeing 777 plane, followed by a Q&A.
Yosouf Al Salehi, Executive Director, QSTP, said: “GE Aerospace is one of QSTP’s longstanding partners and we were pleased to be able to offer this unique opportunity to visit and learn from their significant experience in their field to other business leaders in Qatar. These sessions are an example of how we, through the regional and global technology companies that are situated at the park, create a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship in Qatar, and ultimately supports the national drive toward economic diversification and sustainability.”
“I would like to thank our partners at QSTP for giving us the chance to kick off this new initiative,” Canaan added. “It was with great pleasure that I was able to pass on some of my expertise, built from many years spent within the aviation industry, as well as my passion for sustainability, with such a diverse audience, including those who are already well established in their fields, to those who represent the future of innovation.”
GE Aerospace is one of the many international technology companies and research centers based at QSTP and benefits from key membership incentives such as quick and easy company formation, 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, state-of-the-art offices, networking opportunities, access to highly skilled talents at Education City, partnerships and collaborations with research institutes and top international universities, and a range of other support services to positively impact its business operations in Qatar.
For more details about QSTP and to register interest in the next session in the series, please visit https://qstp.org.qa/qstp-expert-series