The new Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in Doha is making an all-out bid for knowledge-based business.

Tonight (November 22) it hosts a prestigious awards dinner recognising major achievements in the fields of biomedical, energy, computing, environmental, arts, social science, humanities and Islamic studies research.

General manager, Adam Mather-Brown said the venue was specifically targeting these types of conferences and exhibitions as Qatar realised its vision of moving from a carbon-based economy to one based on knowledge.

The dinner is the culmination of the Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum that attracted 1,500 delegates and speakers from around the world. The three-day forum brought together Nobel laureates, international policymakers, students, scientists, industry leaders, and top academic and research institutions to exchange knowledge and provide networking opportunities.

"The Annual Research Forum is exactly the type of event that will help the country fulfil its ambitions," said Mather-Brown.

The QNCC, with its 4,000-seater conference hall and 52 flexible meeting rooms, is strategically located within Qatar Foundation's Education City, an enclave of eight international universities including the Qatar Science and Technology Park and soon-to-be-completed Sidra Medical and Research Centre.

"One of the reasons for locating the QNCC in Education City,” continued Mather-Brown, “was for it to become the focal point for a new global hub of ideas and innovation. In addition to the local market, QNCC aims to be the intellectual nerve centre and serve the education and research communities to host key regional and international events that shape the future of research and education in the 21st century and beyond".