Qatar University, through its Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of Business and Economics, has wrapped up its 2026 “Al-Fikra” National Competition for Higher Education. The initiative brought together university students from across Qatar to present innovative business ideas and solutions for real-world challenges, aiming to bolster the country’s talent pipeline.
Quick Facts
- Nearly 750 students participated.
- Teams from 14 Qatari universities.
- QAR 45,000 awarded to top three teams.
Building a Pipeline for Qatari Innovation
The latest edition of the Al-Fikra competition attracted around 750 students from 14 universities in Qatar, reinforcing its position as a key platform for student entrepreneurship. The event is aligned with the human, economic, social, and environmental development pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The competition was organized in collaboration with strategic partners including Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB), the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s Digital Incubation Center (DIC), Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), the Hult Prize Foundation, and Atypical Venture.
Dr. Khalid Al-Hashimi, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, stated that the competition “reflects a firm belief in the transformative role of education in driving progress and inspiring meaningful change.” He highlighted the importance of providing a national platform that enables students to “move beyond traditional thinking patterns, develop innovative solutions, and contribute to building a future based on innovation, resilience, and sustainable development.”
From Idea to Execution
Participants went through a comprehensive program that included idea-generation workshops, mentorship sessions, and capacity-building programs before the final pitches, which were evaluated by a panel of academic and industry experts.
Juha Peralampi, Director of the Al-Fikra competition, described the event as “more than just a competition; it is an integrated platform that supports student entrepreneurs throughout their innovation journey, from idea generation to execution.”
Peralampi added, “By connecting emerging innovators with industry leaders, investors, mentors, and ecosystem partners, we not only support promising projects but also open doors for student startups to access regional and international opportunities, including global entrepreneurship competitions and incubation programs.”
Top Teams and Winning Ideas
The competition concluded with an awards ceremony for the top student teams.
Team “Hero” from Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar secured first place, winning a cash prize of QAR 20,000. Team “Vora” from Qatar University came in second with a QAR 15,000 prize, while another Qatar University team, “Tawazun,” took third place and a QAR 10,000 prize.
About Al-Fikra National Competition
The “Al-Fikra” National Competition for Higher Education is an initiative by Qatar University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. It serves as a national platform that gathers university students from across Qatar to develop and present innovative solutions to real-world challenges. The program aims to foster entrepreneurial skills, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and contribute to Qatar’s knowledge-based economy in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Source: QNA
