By Paul Hughes, Qatar, Mar 8, 2017: The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) and Ooredoo, along with 15 national stakeholders, have joined forces to launch Qatar Innovation Community (QIC) in an effort to accelerate innovation across Qatar and create solutions for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ and beyond.
Through various innovation programmes and initiatives, focusing on different strategic areas, the QIC will support and enable Qatar’s innovation capability and knowledge capital. In addition, it will address national priorities and look to enhance Qatar’s image and global competitiveness.
The launch event took place during the QITCOM exhibition at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) on Wednesday 8 March. The event was attended by His Excellency Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, His Excellency Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Rumehi, Minister of Municipality and Environment, His Excellency Mr Hassan Al Thawadi, SC Secretary General, Mrs Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary, MoTC, Dr Hamad Al Ibrahim, QSTP Chairman, and Mr Waleed Al Sayed, Ooredoo CEO, along with representatives from the 15 stakeholders.
The QIC will prioritise home-grown innovations and create an enabling environment, including effective stakeholder collaboration. The initiative has four strategic goals:
1. Contribute to Qatar’s socioeconomic development plans through the identification and commercialisation of new businesses.
2. Enhance the Qatari brand through innovative solutions in key sectors, including sport and event management industries.
3. Establish effective enabling mechanisms to support innovation across Qatar.
4. Establish an effective stakeholder collaboration framework to enhance Qatar’s innovation ecosystem.
HE Mr Al Thawadi said: “Innovation has been at the heart of our work, from the moment Qatar decided to bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Our compact tournament plans, modular stadiums and ambitious legacy initiatives show that innovation is embedded within everything we do.
“Launching Qatar Innovation Community is the next step for the SC and our stakeholders. It shows we’re serious about laying a foundation for our country’s brightest minds to formulate ideas that will make a difference to Qatar, the region and the world.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Transport and Communication for its support, along with all our stakeholders. These are exciting times for Qatar and initiatives such as this are the facilitators for a bright future.”
Mrs Al Mansoori said: “The formation of Qatar Innovation Community will support our vision of implementing smart technologies across the country and region.
“Qatar is committed to providing the very best innovation infrastructure for both public and private stakeholders, and the QIC will be the flag bearer for ensuring our country remains a hub for new ideas, invention and ground-breaking technology.”
Dr Al Ibrahim said: “Qatar Innovation Community ties in perfectly with QSTP’s vision to become an international hub for scientific and technology innovation, tech-based entrepreneurship and high-tech businesses.
“We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to leverage the opportunities provided from hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
Mr Al Sayed said “Ooredoo has been at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation since its founding in 1987. Our vision is to enrich our customers’ daily lives and help fulfil their dreams and aspirations. Through Qatar Innovation Community we will promote this philosophy to current and future innovators as we work with national stakeholders to deliver a bright future for the country, the region and the world.”
All stakeholders have shown strong commitment to the initiative and made valued contributions over recent months. During 2017 the QIC will aim to strengthen stakeholder links and align innovation capabilities. In addition, QIC will launch three key services in order to accelerate knowledge transfer, innovation discovery, collaboration opportunities, innovation-driven entrepreneurship opportunities and joint public-private innovation projects. QIC will also implement a continuous improvement strategy to ensure the body adapts to its stakeholders’ needs and priorities.
About Qatar Innovation Community
Qatar Innovation Community (QIC) aims to develop Qatar’s innovation capability and knowledge capital. It will address national priorities and enhance Qatar’s image and global competitiveness. QIC stakeholders include: Ministry of Transport and Communication (represented by Digital Society Development Sector), Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Science & Technology Park, Ooredoo, Al Jazeera, Aspire Academy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Qatar Computing Research Institute, International Chamber of Commerce, Josoor Institute, Qatar Airways, Qatar Business Incubation Centre, Qatar Chamber of Commerce, Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Museums Authority, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Rail, Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar University.
About Ministry of Transport & Communications
In recognition of the significant role of transport and ICT in building a robust knowledge-based economy in light of Qatar National Vision 2030, the Ministry of Transport and Communications was established as per Emiri Order No. 1 of 2016 with the following mandate in the ICT sector:
• Overseeing and developing the information and communications technology sector to serve the national development requirements;
• Fostering a competitive environment that is conducive to investments;
• Securing and enhancing the efficiency of ICT infrastructure and developing the next generation thereof;
• Raising awareness of the importance of ICT and how to use it safely to improve peoples’ lives, towards building a knowledge community based on digital economy; and
• Implementing and overseeing e-government programmes.
About the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy
Established in 2011 by the State of Qatar, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) is responsible for the delivery of the infrastructure and host country planning and operations required for Qatar to host an amazing and historic 2022 FIFA World Cup™ which accelerates progress towards achieving national development goals and creates a lasting legacy for Qatar, the Middle East, Asia and the world.
The stadiums, non-competition venues and other infrastructure the SC and our stakeholders are delivering will contribute to a compact and connected FIFA World Cup™ with sustainability and accessibility at its heart. After the tournament, the stadiums and surrounding precincts will become vibrant hubs of community life – an integral part of the legacy we are building.
Working closely with the Qatar 2022 Local Organising Committee (LOC), the SC is also responsible for 2022 FIFA World Cup™ host country planning and operations. Families and groups of fans arriving from around the world will experience a secure, human-centred tournament that both celebrates and exemplifies the hospitality for which Qatar and the region are known.
Finally, through programmes including Generation Amazing, Challenge 22, Workers’ Welfare, initiatives such as Community Engagement and the establishment of the Josoor Institute, the SC harnesses the power of football to stimulate human, social, economic and environmental development in communities across Qatar, the region and Asia.
To learn more, please visit www.sc.qa.
About Qatar Science & Technology Park
Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D), is a technology start-up incubator and tech-products development accelerator, fostering the environment required for commercialisation, supporting innovation and tech-entrepreneurship. QSTP focuses on four main themes: Energy, Environment, Health Sciences and Information & Communication Technologies.
Located in Qatar Foundation’s vicinity, the park has access to research universities in Education City. Members within the QSTP Free Zone include SMEs, international corporations and research institutions. QSTP supports QF R&D’s economic and human development objectives for Qatar and is increasingly being recognized as an international hub for applied research, innovation, incubation and tech-entrepreneurship.
For more information, please visit the QSTP website at www.qstp.org.qa.
About Ooredoo
Ooredoo is Qatar’s leading communications company, delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people’s lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential.
Qatar Innovation Community Qatar Innovation Community Qatar Innovation Community
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.