Ministry of Awqaf wins Digital Transformation Award at Google Cloud Summit Doha
QNA
Doha
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) has been honoured with the Digital Transformation Award as the Best Partner at the Google Cloud Summit Doha 2025, recognising its excellence in cloud computing and digital transformation.
In a statement Saturday, the ministry noted that it was among the first government entities to adopt technological solutions and electronic transformation in its early stages, progressing toward full digital transformation by 2030 in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
The ministry highlighted that it is the first government entity to launch the advanced cybersecurity platform Cloud SecOps in collaboration with Google Cloud. This initiative establishes the ministry as the first in Qatar to utilize this platform for securing and storing data locally.
The ministry stressed that this step will enhance the ministry's ability to detect threats and cyber intrusions, enabling rapid and effective responses while ensuring adherence to top global cybersecurity standards.
Additionally, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technologies to safeguard data and accelerate its plans for comprehensive digital transformation, leveraging cloud services in a secure and efficient manner.
The ministry's Director of the Human Resources Department and Vice President of the Business Development and Systems Committee Mohammed Hassan Al Malki welcomed the award as a testament to the ministry's achievements in digital transformation and cloud-based service automation for the public.
He emphasized that this recognition reflects the peak of collaboration between the Ministry of Endowments, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and Google Cloud, a partnership that began in January 2024 through the Ministry of Communications.
Al Malki also stressed the importance of continuing these partnerships with Google Cloud and other accredited technology firms.
The ministry has ambitious plans for large-scale digital transformation projects, including 'Fanar,' an initiative led by the Ministry of Communications.
Other major projects include migrating the extensive IslamWeb library to cloud storage, transferring software applications to Google Cloud services, and utilizing artificial intelligence for request processing and evaluation.
The ministry is also developing specialized applications for mosque services and other digital platforms to enhance public accessibility to its services.
Al Malki affirmed that efforts are well underway to achieve comprehensive digital transformation, with the ministry making significant strides in the process. Regular annual evaluations are conducted to assess progress, address challenges, and ensure full alignment with Qatar's national vision for 2030.
Regional General Manager for Google Cloud Ghassan Kosta praised the Ministry of Endowments for being the first to launch Google SecOps, a leading platform for cloud data protection in Qatar.
He noted that this collaboration underscores the ministry's leadership in cybersecurity and commitment to advanced cloud technologies. Google SecOps provides unparalleled visibility and superior threat management capabilities, and Google Cloud remains dedicated to supporting the ministry in securely operating and localizing cloud data.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ILoveQatar.net
7 hours ago
- ILoveQatar.net
H.H. Sheikha Moza inaugurates Sidra Medicine's new Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Ward
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, officially inaugurated the new pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) ward at Sidra Medicine, a Qatar Foundation entity. The new ward is dedicated to treating children with blood disorders, immune system diseases, and genetic conditions. During the visit, Her Highness toured the facility, engaged with clinical teams, and received an overview of the HSCT program's role in advancing care and stem cell and gene therapies for children in Qatar and the region. Her Highness was accompanied by His Excellency Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, the Minister of Public Health, members of Sidra Medicine's Board of Directors and senior leadership, including Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, Chief Executive Officer and Prof. Ibrahim Janahi, Chief Medical Officer. The HSCT ward is a core part of Sidra Medicine's HSCT Program, using curative therapies to provide life-saving care and treatment for children with a range of blood diseases and cancers. This includes malignant and non-malignant conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, immune deficiencies, and metabolic disorders. HSCT also known as bone marrow transplant, replaces diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic). Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO of Sidra Medicine, said: 'The opening of our new pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Ward, the first of its kind in the country, marks a major step in expanding access to life-saving care for children in Qatar and the region. As the HSCT program grows, it will play a vital role in reducing the need for outbound referrals and in positioning Qatar as a center of excellence for pediatric cell and gene therapies. This is about building sustainable, high-quality care close to home for our patients and their families.' Prof. Ibrahim Janahi, Chief Medical Officer at Sidra Medicine, said: 'The launch of the HSCT Ward reflects our commitment to supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030. It strengthens the foundation of a knowledge-based economy by building national expertise in precision and regenerative medicine. Our goal is to ensure that every child in Qatar can access the best possible treatment, close to home and grounded in clinical excellence.' Managed by the Hematology and Oncology Division at Sidra Medicine, the new ward is designed exclusively for pediatric patients under the age of 18. It is divided into two main sections - one section for children undergoing HSCT and the other for patients with complex hematology-oncology diagnoses such as cancer, that require intensive chemotherapy and inpatient care. With an initial capacity of 20 beds, the new pediatric HSCT ward integrates cutting-edge infrastructure, including high-level isolation facilities that meet international infection control standards. It is scheduled to receive patients for autologous transplants in late June of 2025 with preparations underway to care for inpatient children who will undergo allogeneic transplants, at a later stage. Dr. Ayman Saleh, Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology & Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant at Sidra Medicine said: 'Our HSCT program brings together key specialties to deliver advanced and curative care for children with complex conditions. With four autologous procedures successfully completed and plans underway to offer allogeneic transplants in the near future, we are building a strong foundation for pediatric cellular therapy in Qatar. This service is a testament to the pioneering and family-centered care and cure approach that we offer to all our patients.' In addition to treating patients with various blood diseases and cancers, the HSCT program at Sidra Medicine is the core part of its precision medicine strategy to facilitate genomic research programs for pediatric autoimmune disorders, genetic and rare diseases. Sidra Medicine's HSCT program is further enhanced by a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-qualified laboratory team operating under the Advanced Cell Therapy Core (ACTC). The ACTC manages the processing and cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells and is currently working toward Sidra Medicine's qualification as a treatment center for Casgevy, a gene therapy for thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Dr. Chiara Cugno, Director of the Advanced Cell Therapy Core and GMP Facility at Sidra Medicine said: 'Our GMP-qualified laboratory is a key enabler in delivering safe and effective cellular therapies. By maintaining the highest standards in cell processing and cryopreservation, we are supporting precision treatments for children with cancer, blood, and immunologic disorders. It is an essential part of ensuring every child receives the most personalized care possible.' All HSCT program services will be open to both local and international patients, with more than 50 children currently awaiting transplantation in Qatar. Future phases for the HSCT program include scaling allogeneic transplant capacity and introducing CAR-T cell and gene therapies. The HSCT program includes a multidisciplinary team of specialized physicians, apheresis-trained staff, dedicated HSCT nurses, and allied health professionals. The Sidra Medicine care team also involves experts in immunology, infectious diseases, radiology, psychology, pharmacy, nutrition, child life, and social work. The integrated approach ensures comprehensive and patient-centered care throughout the transplant journey. Before a transplant, every child will go through a detailed evaluation at Sidra Medicine's outpatient clinic to ensure they are ready for the procedure. Once admitted, the children will undergo conditioning chemotherapy to prepare their bodies for the stem cell infusion. They will then be monitored very closely during the aplasia phase, when their immune system is at its weakest. Most patients will stay at the hospital for about 30 to 40 days. Following discharge, they will continue their care through regular follow-ups in an outpatient setting. In addition to medical and nursing care, Sidra Medicine offers support services for patients and families, including social work, clinical nurse specialists, and case management. While formal support groups are under development, ongoing engagement with families is embedded throughout the care process. For more details about Sidra Medicine's Hematology and Oncology services and its GMP facility, please visit:
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
New ESG manual to empower SMEs for sustainable future
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) have officially launched the ESG Guidance Manual for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar during a high-level event titled 'ESG for Qatar's Business Leaders' held at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Doha. Organized by GORD in collaboration with QDB, the event convened senior executives, sustainability experts, and policymakers to explore the strategic importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration and to unveil QDB's newly developed manual. The event also welcomed senior representatives from Qatar's leading financial institutions, including the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) and the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE). Jointly developed by QDB and GORD, the ESG Guidance Manual offers a practical and scalable roadmap tailored to help SMEs embed ESG principles into their core business operations. The manual aims to align SMEs with the Qatar National Vision 2030, enhance their sustainability performance, and help them navigate evolving global regulatory requirements. Drawing on GORD's technical expertise and leadership in sustainability, the manual serves as both a strategic enabler and a compliance toolkit, equipping businesses to transition toward a low-carbon, resilient economy. During the launch, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, stated, 'The ESG Guidance Manual reflects Qatar's proactive commitment to empowering its SME sector to adapt to the evolving global ESG landscape. This initiative not only enhances the global competitiveness of Qatari SMEs in carbon-conscious markets but also reinforces their contribution to the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and broader international climate objectives.' Dr. Hamad Salem Mejegheer, Executive Director of SME Development of QDB, added, 'At Qatar Development Bank, we remain committed to strengthening the SME ecosystem, recognizing its vital role as a driver of economic growth and diversification. In today's interconnected global economy, ESG principles are no longer optional — they are fundamental to building resilience and unlocking new opportunities. Through this manual, developed in collaboration with GORD, we are equipping our SMEs with the tools to adapt, grow, and shape a sustainable future for Qatar.' Following the official launch, the event featured a series of technical sessions that offered participants in-depth insights into ESG fundamentals and regulatory developments. Discussions covered upcoming QCB guidelines, the implications of QSE's adoption of the IFRS S1/S2 standards, and how ESG ratings influence investment and financing decisions. Experts also addressed the role of digital solutions in streamlining ESG reporting and management. The sessions further explored strategies for embedding ESG into corporate decision-making and managing associated risks. The day concluded with a high-level panel discussion featuring leading experts and business leaders, emphasizing ESG as a strategic imperative and showcasing real-world examples of ESG-led business transformation and long-term value creation.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
AI podcast ‘The Next, On Air' redefines event coverage for Media City
Tribune News Network Doha During the 2025 Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, held from May 20 to 22, Media City Qatar, in partnership with Google Cloud, launched 'The Next, On Air'—an AI-powered podcast created using Google Cloud's NotebookLM. The podcast featured daily episodes in both Arabic and English, automatically generated to summarise key discussions from the Forum. Visual content, including human avatars, was produced using Google Cloud's VEO 2 video generation technology, showcasing the potential of generative AI in immersive storytelling. Each episode offered a preview of the day's agenda and a recap of highlights from the previous day's sessions, condensing tens of hours of content involving hundreds of speakers and insights from thousands of participants. This innovative activation presents a new model for engaging with major conferences and events, ensuring that valuable insights remain accessible—regardless of whether one is physically present.
