Doha: The "Qatar Datathon 2025" competition kicked off at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in the presence of HE President of the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau and Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. Organized by the National Planning Council (NPC) in collaboration with Microsoft, the competition is designed for talented individuals in the field of data science in Qatar.
According to Qatar News Agency, running from February 15 to 22, the competition attracts university students, recent graduates, and professionals in data science and related fields, offering them a vital platform to showcase their skills, engage with industry experts, and explore career opportunities with NPC's National Statistics Center. Participants will compete to solve challenges in themes of population, education, labor market, safety and security, healthcare services, and environmental sustainability, aligning with the outcomes and indicators of the Third National Development Strategy.
The opening ceremony featured a speech by Ahmed Al Obaidly, Director General of the National Statistics Center, who welcomed partners and competitors and encouraged them to demonstrate their creativity in tackling real-world challenges. He emphasized the importance of data in today's era and its role in shaping Qatar's knowledge-based future, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to develop insights, strategies, and decision-making. He also highlighted the role of the National Statistics Center, its projects, and the extensive improvements it has adopted to ensure Qatar's leadership.
Hessa Ali Al Malki, Director of the Statistical Training and Data Center, provided an overview of the first edition of "Qatar Datathon 2025," the nature of the competition, and the challenges presented. She urged participants to be innovative in finding solutions, emphasizing that the competition is not just an event but a first step toward creating real change in data science, impacting policymaking and developments across sectors. Michael Mansour, Chief Learning Officer, EMEA, Microsoft, highlighted the data revolution in the modern era and the immense opportunities it offers. He stressed that the competition focuses on turning academic theories into effective real-world solutions.
Saud Matar Al Shammari, Director of NPC's Statistical Operations Department, introduced the NPC and its role in developing and overseeing the implementation of the Third National Development Strategy in cooperation with relevant ministries and entities in Qatar. He reviewed the key results of the NDS3, marking the final phase of Qatar National Vision 2030.
As the competition kicked off, participants were divided into groups, each accompanied by an expert mentor. The structure, evaluation criteria, and stages of the event were explained before groups began working on the assigned challenges. The winners of the top three positions will be announced during the closing ceremony on 22 February, where they will receive their awards.
Commenting on the launch, Al Obaidly stated that both QNV 2030 and NDS3 aim to build a knowledge-based economy and prepare a future-ready workforce. The NPC Qatar Datathon 2025 seeks to attract and nurture young talents in data science, providing opportunities to develop their skills and address technological challenges. He encouraged participants to showcase their talents and wished them the best of luck. Introductory tours were conducted at Qatar University and several Qatar Foundation affiliated universities, highlighting career opportunities related to data science at the NPC.