Robert Laws,
Pre-Conference Workshop Facilitator and Special Session Speaker
Robert Laws has been at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) since 2008, where he is a Data, Media, and Web Librarian. Mr. Laws has played a leading role in teaching technology skills, enhancing the library's online presence, and introducing new and emerging technologies to the GU-Q community, including AI. Although his background is in history, Mr. Laws has a mastery of multiple digital skills, including web development, audio and video production, and data visualization. Prior to coming to Qatar, Mr. Laws worked at Georgetown University's Washington DC campus.
Mr. Laws studied history, receiving a BA and MA from George Mason University and received an MLS degree from SUNY at Buffalo.
Dr. Susan L. Karamanian,
Special Session Speaker
Dr. Susan L. Karamanian is Dean of the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Doha. Before joining HBKU Law, she was Provost at the American University of Sharjah, Associate Dean for International and Comparative Legal Studies and Burnett Family Professorial Lecturer at the George Washington University Law School, and a partner in Locke Lord LLP in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Karamanian is on the board of various institutions, including the American Society of International Law. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a life fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation.
Dr. Achraf Othman,
Special Session Speaker
Dr. Achraf Othman holds a pivotal position as the Head of the Innovation and Research Section at the Mada Qatar Assistive Technology Center in Doha. Here, he focuses on IT industry problems, specifically in the domains of assistive technology and digital accessibility. With a commitment to innovation, Dr. Othman spearheads projects harnessing cutting-edge technologies, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence to craft solutions that empower individuals with disabilities.
Recognized for his contributions to the field, Dr. Othman is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. His expansive expertise has also been sought internationally, resulting in his consultancy on various global and regional IT ventures.
Tan Huism
Special Session Speaker
Tan Huism joined Qatar National Library as Executive Director in September 2021. During her tenure so far, she has overseen the development of the Library’s strategy, initiatives like the launch of the mobile app and the Qatar-wide research repository MANARA, and the Library’s first forays into contemporary collecting. Prior to Qatar National Library, she was Senior Director of the Archives and Libraries Group at Singapore’s National Library Board and concurrently the Director of the National Library. In these roles she initiated the program to digitize Singapore-related materials held overseas, led the Digital Preservation Taskforce, initiated digital fellowships and creative residences and video-series featuring the library’s collections.
Ms. Tan curated the exhibition “Letters of Faith: The Arabic Script in Indonesia” at Qatar National Library and several exhibitions for the National Library, Singapore, including “Tales of the Malay World: Manuscripts and Printed Books”.
She is also secretary of the National Libraries Section at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.
Dr. Alwaleed Alkhaja
Special Session Moderator
Dr. Alwaleed Alkhaja is Head of Open Access and Copyright at Qatar National Library and leads the open access team. Before joining the Library, Dr. Alwaleed worked in open access publishing with QScience.com/HBKU Press. He holds a PhD in molecular biology from the Göttingen/International Max Planck Research School and an MBA from the Alliance Manchester Business School.