Qatalum, a 50-50 joint venture between Hydro and Qatar Petroleum, is one of the largest aluminium plants in the world, with an annual production capacity of about 600,000 metric tons.

The goal of the agreement is to encourage interest in aluminium and give the students at Qatar University the opportunity to develop materials expertise that can be used by the aluminium industry.

Under the agreement, which was signed on Tuesday, Hydro and Qatalum will sponsor a research chair at the university. Students in materials technology will also be offered practical experience at Qatalum.

"Demand for aluminium is growing, and it is being used in new areas. So we are constantly developing our production technology in cooperation with universities. With this agreement, we want to strengthen the overall competence in aluminium and materials technology in Qatar," says Hilde Merete Aasheim, head of Hydro's Primary Metal business area.

Hydro has had partnerships with the university in Qatar for many years, focused on encouraging interest in aluminium and materials technology.

In the technology cluster in the capital Doha, the Qatar Science & Technology Park, Hydro has established its own competence and technology center as a platform for interaction between academics, researchers and industrial actors. One of the center's tasks is to strengthen education of local students, which also improves local recruiting to the Qatalum aluminium plant and other industrial entities in Qatar.

The center strengthens education for local students, including a cooperation between Qatar University and the Norwegian University of Technology and Science (NTNU) through research and educational programs, seminars and guest lectures.