Qatar University (QU) College of Business and Economics (CBE) and College of Engineering (CENG) in collaboration with QU Office of Strategic Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Office, launched the “Innovation & Entrepreneurship Contest 2021-2022 at a press conference held yesterday.
Contest registration will start soon as was outlined by CENG Dean Dr Khalid Kamal Naji and CBE Dean Dr Adam Fadlallah in the presence of QU Strategic Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Office Director Dr Mahmoud Abdulwahed, CENG TIEE Director Dr Wadha Labdeh, and CBE Entrepreneurship Center Director Dr Mahmoud Khalil, as well as QU faculty and staff, and representatives of the local media.
This year the contest highlights the focus on creating business ideas and innovations that would directly benefit the Qatari Economy and assist in building a knowledge-based economy. This year, participating teams will have access to training materials provided by experts which will be oriented on how to prepare and present effective business models and pitches outlining the essence of their business ideas. Presentations will be delivered in front of a panel of judges.
In addition to monetary prizes, winners will get the chance to have their ideas developed further in the Center of Entrepreneurship’s Incubator through vigorous coaching and training and enable them to excel their business plans, and possibly get funding opportunities and access to the local business community.
Dr Naji said: “The contest is designed to spread awareness about the importance of entrepreneurial activities, trigger the entrepreneurial skills of QU students and engage them on how to develop sound business plans. When they graduate, our students will enter a highly competitive business environment in Qatar. They have to acquire the skills and competencies to become the next leaders in the world of business. In this regard, CENG is committed to providing its students with a forum to develop their creative and innovative business ideas which will add value to their education.”
Dr Fadlallah stressed the importance of innovative ideas to develop a sound business sector and to ultimately contribute to the country’s development and progress. He said: “Through this annual competition, we are inviting our students to invest their talents in the spirit of competition, shared knowledge, and teamwork. The business ideas should be feasible, realistic, and preferably serve to meet the needs of the labor market and the private sector in Qatar. We look forward to seeing the innovative projects that will emerge.”
In his speech, Dr Mahmoud Abdulwahed said “We encourage all students to participate in this competition to develop their entrepreneurial skills and benefit from the workshops that will take place within the competition, to ensure that their ideas and projects are new, innovative and competitive”.
Source: Qatar University