Q Life Magazine Q Magazine (US) June 2017 | Page 16
Qatar and the US |
| Issue 3
How Qatar
is Investing
in a New
Generation of
Tech Leaders
Qatar continues
to invest in the
next generation
of innovators and
business leaders.
| Texas A&M at Qatar
As one of the leading hubs of
education and technology in the
region, Qatar continues to invest in
the next generation of innovators
and business leaders to achieve the
goals set out in QNV 2030.
A commitment to STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and math)
entrepreneurship is facilitated
through innovative organizations
like QBIC and through partnerships
with leading universities like Texas
16
A&M at Qatar (TAMUQ) that
produce scholarships and awards
for educational excellence.
Since its inception in 2014, QBIC
has played a crucial role in funding
and supporting Qatari start-ups
and small businesses. Led by
CEO Aysha Al-Mudahka, QBIC
develops its entrepreneurial talent
through a variety of workshops
and networking opportunities
and has helped launch successful
international ventures ranging from
fashion products, communications
tools, and tech management services
like Event Developers and New
Line 4 Media.
Schools like TAMUQ are at
the forefront of Qatar’s STEM
education programs and innovative
entrepreneurship. TAMUQ’s
IgniteDoha series is a STEAM
(science, technology, engineering,
arts, and math) initiative that
develops communication, organization, visual literacy,
and presentation skills for young students in a TED-
talk-style format. Six TAMUQ students competed in
the IgniteDoha finale, receiving feedback and advice
from judges from Qatar Petrochemical Company, Shell
Oil, Stanford University, and Maersk Oil. Abdulaziz
Al-Qahtani, an engineering student, won the
competition for his presentation on problem-solving
and critical thinking.
TAMUQ has also collaborated with Maersk Oil to
organize Dhia: Engineering Leaders and develop
initiatives that expose young Qataris to STEM
programs. The initiative has helped hundreds of
students pursue professional opportunities around
the world. Since 2013, the Dhia partnership has
also held its annual STEM Educator of the Year
award competition, commending the important and
inspiring work of teachers in Qatar who are committed
to developing future leaders of Qatar’s innovative
economy and society.
The investment in these educational and business
ventures has accelerated the technological growth
of Qatar and continues to augment its dynamic and
knowledge-based economic future.
17