QU announces winners of the 5th Annual Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest

Qatar University (QU) colleges of Engineering (CENG) and Business and Economics (CBE) recently held a ceremony to announce the winners of the 5^th Annual Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest 2017.

Sponsored by Qatar National Bank (QNB), the contest aimed to enhance students’ entrepreneurial skills, to raise their awareness on the importance of entrepreneurial activities, and to help them discover the needed techniques and tools to create business plans. It drew the participation of 152 students from various disciplines -- 45% from CBE, 27% from CENG, and 28% from other QU colleges.

This year’s competition main theme was to create ideas that would directly benefit Qatar’s economy. The participating teams were required to present their business ideas in front of a panel of judges. The presented ideas covered many areas such as information and communications technology (ICT) and technology-based projects, business services, social enterprises, health sciences, and energy and environment. First-place winners were students Yousef Al Nuaimi and Jamal and Jamil Hanoun (CENG). Second-place winners were students Rawda Al Marzouqi, Reem Babaker and Amna Al Sheeb (CBE) while students Yazan Qablawi, Majd Abduljabbar, Yousef Orabi and Raslan Abu Shnina (CENG) won the third place.

Commenting on the contest, CENG Dean Dr Khalifa Al-Khalifa said: “The College of Engineering is involved in this important competition based upon our belief in the importance of supporting students to lead and develop the business sector in the future. Additionally, the college is committed to engaging students in entrepreneurial and innovative activities, which will contribute to producing the future generation of high-qualified engineers to pursue an exciting career within the engineering industry.” CBE Dean Dr Khalid Shams Al-Abdulqader said: “This contest provided CBE students with an invaluable opportunity to learn from experts and develop their skills in very specialized areas of business. We are delighted to support our students to advance their knowledge and experience towards their future success as entrepreneurs.”

QNB Assistance General Manager of SME Khalid Majid Al-Naemi said: “QNB Group’s support for the fifth edition of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest is an effective translation of an important aspect of our strategy that focuses on achieving the concepts of innovation, diversity, entrepreneurship and the importance they represent. We are very pleased to thank the College of Engineering and the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University for the successful organization of the competition for the fifth year in a row, and we are delighted to congratulate all the participating students for their creativity and innovative ideas.”