COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – In response to “false and irresponsible” misconceptions and false assumptions circulating online, (retired) Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, president of Texas A&M University, issued a statement to the Aggie What did Family Sunday, correcting misinformation about the university, particularly its branch campuses in Qatar.
Reports from multiple outlets this week, including the Jerusalem Post, cited a letter from the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) that warned US officials of “alarming research findings from Qatar’s non-reporting to Texas A&M University.” Fraudulent and unregulated funding has been exposed.”
Welsh emphasized the importance of ensuring that accurate information reaches the public given the speed at which misinformation can travel today. Since 2003, Texas A&M University at Qatar has played an important role in advancing education and research in engineering, President Welsh said.
“Texas A&M University at Qatar opened its doors in 2003 to facilitate education and research in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering in a major oil and gas region, while U.S. educational and cultural diplomacy in the region As the No. 1 petroleum engineering university in the United States, Texas A&M is one of six U.S. universities in Doha’s Education City that support the education pillar of the U.S.-Qatar relationship,” Welsh said.
“Since A&M classes began in Qatar two decades ago, we have graduated more than 1,500 engineering students and currently serve more than 730 students. Many of these graduates are from Qatar and the world. serving in leadership roles in major energy companies throughout. Endorsement of academic programs and student activities by several US and multinational companies underscores the importance of the campus in shaping the future generation of engineers. A&M’s Qatar The campus also achieved a significant milestone in recent years as women now make up half of the student population,” Welsh added.
Contrary to recent reports, President Welsh clarified that the Qatar campus does not offer nuclear engineering programs or related classes. He says the campus’ research focus includes energy, water, environment, carbon capture, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and data analytics in the energy sector.
“Research conducted on this campus focuses on energy, water and environment, carbon capture, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data science, and data analytics in the energy sector. , no nuclear technology, weapons/defense or national security research is conducted on this campus. Nor is the Qatar campus affiliated with nuclear reactor research conducted at Texas or Los Alamos National Lab. The impression that we somehow leaking or compromising national security research data is both wrong and irresponsible,” Welsh said.
In ensuring compliance with US laws and agency regulations, President Welsh highlighted that the Qatar campus operates under the same research compliance offices as the main campus. All A&M campuses, including Qatar, adhere to state and federal research and export control regulations.
“As part of the Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M complies with all US laws and agency regulations that govern how we manage and report international engagements. All at the Qatar campus Research and its funding are reviewed and managed by the same A&M Research Compliance Offices on the main campus. All A&M campuses, including Qatar, follow the same policies regarding research and funding. do, which means each adheres to state and federal research and export control regulations,” Welsh said.
Additionally, the U.S. federal government has repeatedly recognized the Texas A&M University System as a national leader in counterintelligence and protecting sensitive information and technology from foreign actors through its robust counterintelligence operations and research security controls. Is. We maintain this high level of security by proactively monitoring all of our systems, processes and facilities, Welsh added.
In light of recent reports, President Welsh says Texas A&M is vigilant in monitoring developments in the region and will continue to engage with Chancellor Sharp and the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents to maintain high standards for security. affirmed the university’s commitment to To contribute to the development and improvement of society through values, and education.
“Many recent public reports that question our security measures, intent, or motivations are inaccurate, and based on misinformation and assumptions. We remain committed to our high standards for security, our commitment to our core values, and our will uphold the belief that education is essential to the development and improvement of society,” Welsh said. “Texas A&M remains vigilant to monitor developments in the region, especially since early October. We will continue to engage Chancellor Sharp and the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on this matter, and will keep our faculty, staff and students informed as the situation changes.”
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