Latest news with #AnnualYoungEnterpriseoftheYearCompetition
Qatar Tribune
06-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
INJAZ Qatar celebrates young innovators
Hanane Djoua Doha Under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) of Qatar, INJAZ Qatar hosted a national awards ceremony for the Annual Young Enterprise of the Year Competition (Mubadara). The 18th edition of the Mubadara Awards was held at the Qatar National Convention Center on Sunday, bringing together students, mentors, government authorities, and partners to celebrate the most promising youth startups in Qatar. The ceremony marked the culmination of a six-month programme during which students conceptualized and brought to life their business ideas with guidance from industry professionals. This year, 12 university teams and 11 high school teams participated in the competition. Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Emad Alkhaja, CEO of INJAZ Qatar, said: 'Today is the awards ceremony and the completion of our program called The Company Program. It's a five to six-month journey that guides high school and university students to establish their own businesses. They go through the full life cycle of running a company. Mubadara 2025 is the final event—our awards ceremony—held in collaboration with major corporate names like ExxonMobil, Boeing, and QDB. Together, we work to find the Best Student Company of the Year from both high school and university tracks.' 'I believe Mubadara—and the Company Program in general—is more than just an entrepreneurship initiative. It teaches students many important skills, especially at this stage in their lives. It's a character-building experience where they learn about marketing, ideation, teamwork, communication, and financial reporting—all within just five months,' Alkhaja added. 'Of course, we aim to empower and encourage them to launch real businesses, but even just taking part in the program is a huge benefit. For university-level students, since they are of legal age, we also connect them with incubators in Qatar. Today, for example, we have partners like QUBIC and Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), who support students even after the programme ends.' Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Al Thani, Chair of INJAZ Qatar and INJAZ Al-Arab, also emphasised the significance of the initiative, stating: 'This year's Mubadara program is a testament to the passion, creativity, and resilience of our youth. The ideas we've seen go beyond business—they reflect a vision for a more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable future for Qatar and the region.' ExxonMobil Qatar, a platinum sponsor since the programme's inception in 2008, presented the Best Company of the Year award to the winning team. 'Our collaboration with INJAZ Qatar through Mubadara reflects our commitment to developing young talent and fostering innovation,' said Rashid Al Hajri, Vice President and Manager of Public and Government Affairs for ExxonMobil Qatar. 'We are proud of every student who participated in this year's competition and look forward to their future impact.' Another highlight was Boeing's continued strategic partnership, which began in 2013. Wael Zaoud, Boeing's Managing Director in Qatar, awarded the Best Company prize for university students to the Tamayaz team from Qatar University, who created an online platform offering affordable, high-quality recorded lessons. Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, remarked: 'Empowering the local workforce with essential skills that foster innovation and growth is at the core of Qatar National Vision 2030. Through our partnership with INJAZ Qatar, we have helped thousands of young individuals turn their innovative ideas into reality.' Award winners: • Best Company of the Year – Sponsored by ExxonMobil Qatar, awarded to Tamayaz from Qatar University, and My Eye from Ibn Taymeya Secondary School for Boys. • Highest Social Impact Award – Awarded to Be My Sense from University of Doha for Science and Technology, and Enjoy Education from Al Shamal Preparatory Secondary School for Girls. • Most Innovative Product/Service Award – Awarded to Ask Sanad from Qatar University, and Student Connect from American School of Doha. • Best Marketing Plan Award – Sponsored by FRAME, awarded to Musamima from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Droplet from American School of Doha, and FLYT from King's College Doha. • People's Choice Award – Sponsored by Seib Insurance, awarded to Carboxyl from Belgravia High School. The winning teams will represent Qatar at the INJAZ Al-Arab Regional Young Enterprise of the Year Competition in November 2025, competing against student entrepreneurs from 13 MENA countries.
Zawya
21-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
‘Aviation plays pivotal role in Qatar's National Vision 2030'
DOHA: With an anticipated demand for 3,145 aircraft by 2043 and a 4.8 percent annual growth rate in air traffic across the Middle East, Qatar is well-positioned to reinforce its role as a major global aerospace hub. Speaking to The Peninsula, Wael Zaoud, Boeing's Managing Director in Qatar, highlighted that the tourism industry, which encompasses aviation, is a key driver of Qatar's economy, providing one in eight jobs and contributing more than 10 percent to the nation's GDP. Hamad International Airport (HIA), strategically located to link the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Africa, plays a vital role in trade, handling 1.4 million tons of cargo each year, with plans to expand its capacity to 3.2 million tonnes. Zaoud said: 'Aviation plays a pivotal role in Qatar's National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy, contributing to the country's economic diversification through tourism and trade.' The sector promotes ecosystem growth and creates high-value job opportunities for local talent. The official noted that HIA and Qatar Airways, both honored as the World's Best Airport and the World's Best Airline in 2024 by Skytrax, underscore Qatar's rise as a global hub for air travel and logistics, as well as an appealing destination to live and work. As Qatar props its global connectivity, the demand for a new generation of aviation professionals continues to rise. The country places a strong emphasis on education, workforce development, and innovation as key pillars in its shift towards a knowledge-based economy. He said, 'Boeing remains a committed partner in helping bring Qatar's ambitious vision to life.' Meanwhile, Boeing's partnership with Qatar has grown over the years, with involvement in all sectors of aerospace and an expanding workforce of about 380 employees providing in-country support to Qatar Airways and Qatar Emiri Air Force. With air traffic exceeding pre-pandemic levels and the growth of the airplane fleet, the demand for aviation personnel is steadily increasing. According to Boeing's estimates, the Middle East will require 68,000 pilots, 63,000 aircraft technicians, and 104,000 cabin crew members over the next 20 years. Zaoud said, 'With the Middle East projected to need 235,000 new aviation professionals by 2043, Qatar is well-positioned to strengthen its role as a regional aviation hub that not only drives economic growth but also attracts the best talent.' At Qatar University, Boeing has invested over $300,000 to enhance the engineering curriculum and support projects focused on uncrewed aerial vehicles and robotics competitions. This partnership gives students valuable hands-on experience through mentoring, guest lectures, and events with Boeing experts. Beyond academia, Boeing's collaboration with INJAZ Qatar has empowered 5,000 young people with entrepreneurial skills through the Annual Young Enterprise of the Year Competition. Since 2019, Boeing and INJAZ Qatar have also reached more than 800 schoolchildren through STEM and robotics workshops designed to inspire careers in aviation, science, engineering, and technology. Over the past decade, the company has invested $1.5m in STEM education and workforce development initiatives in Qatar. 'These collaborations enhance infrastructure development, drive innovation, and strengthen indigenous aerospace capabilities for the benefit of the people of Qatar,' Zaoud added. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
