The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council recently hosted its Industry-Led Innovation Quest Demo Day and Awards Ceremony, uniting academic leaders, industry partners, and key ecosystem stakeholders. The event served as a platform to spotlight innovative, industry-driven solutions developed by the nation’s emerging talent.
Bridging Academia and Industry
The half-day programme spotlighted the critical need for collaboration between academic institutions and the private sector. Nine finalist teams presented concise, impact-focused solutions designed to address real-world challenge statements posed by industry partners. Before the presentations, a dedicated demo session allowed judges and attendees to engage directly with the teams and review their innovative approaches.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Aysha Al-Mudahka, Senior Director of Research, Development and Innovation programs at QRDI Council, alongside Elena Barrio, Chief Product Officer at East-West Digital representing Iberdrola, and Prashant Rizada, Founder and CEO of Lumi Network. Their addresses collectively emphasized the importance of strengthening academia-industry ties to drive cross-sector innovation.
A Platform for Innovation and Opportunity
The Demo Day was more than just a showcase; it provided tangible opportunities for the participants. The top three performing teams were awarded cash prizes to further develop their ideas. Additionally, three standout students were selected for an exclusive internship at Iberdrola’s offices, where they will gain invaluable hands-on experience working alongside experienced AI product teams.
This initiative exemplifies QRDI Council’s commitment to accelerating the translation of innovative ideas into practical, market-ready applications. By creating a platform for young talent to tackle industry-defined challenges, the event reinforces the vital role of public-private partnerships in fostering sustainable economic growth and developing national capabilities.
About QRDI Council
QRDI Council is a national entity with the mission to support research, development and innovation (RDI) activities as well as to develop RDI talent in Qatar. The Council strives to make Qatar a top destination for global talent and a pioneering research, innovation, and development hub with its motto “locally empowered, globally connected”. Playing a pivotal role within the Qatar National Development Strategy, the QRDI Council is actively shaping the Innovation component of the Economic Diversification goal. The Council’s commitment underlines its unwavering dedication to the Qatar National Vision 2030. QRDI Council aims to make Qatar a global innovation hub and a top choice for R&D centers worldwide, seeing RDI as vital for Qatar’s growth and prosperity.
Source: Zawya
