Doha: The National Planning Council (NPC) concluded 'Qatar Datathon 2025', that was organized in partnership with Microsoft.
According to Qatar News Agency, in a ceremony attended by HE Secretary-General of the NPC Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, the Qatar Datathon 2025 concluded with presentations by the 5 finalist and an award ceremony for top 3 teams. 'Qatar Datathon 2025', is one of NPC's key initiatives to support the community and empower Qatar's brightest minds in data science.
Recognizing the growing importance of data, NPC remains committed to raising awareness and nurturing talent in this field. The 'Qatar Datathon 2025' provided an interactive, mentor-led platform to enhance data management efficiency across multiple sectors, reinforcing Qatar's efforts to harness data science for innovation and development.
The top five finalists showcased exceptional creativity and problem-solving that set them apart from a compelling talent pool that brought cutting-edge thinking to the forefront.
Over the six-day Datathon, participants engaged with mentors and participated in hands-on workshops, to ideate solutions for key challenges across various sectors, including population, accessibility, education, labor market, safety and security, health services, and environmental sustainability - all areas aligned with the pillars of the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), while utilizing data presented by the NPC. For NPC, this was an opportunity to seek out the brightest minds and freshest talent for this ambitious chapter of Qatar's nation-building journey.
From the outset, the Datathon received an overwhelming response with nearly 500 applications to the open call. The applicant ranges from university students to recent graduates, and seasoned professionals - a veritable showcase of Qatar's homegrown talent in the field of data science. A final selection of 175 applicants, forming 35 teams, joined the six-day Datathon, vying for the coveted top-three positions.
The awards ceremony on Saturday was a celebration of the dedication and hard work of all participants, partners, mentors, and judges, whose contributions were instrumental in the competition's success. Designed to identify and nurture emerging talent in data science, the Qatar Datathon 2025 provided participants with access to data, and a unique platform to refine their skills while contributing to innovative solutions for Qatar's evolving technological landscape. This initiative aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and NDS3's goal of fostering a knowledge-based economy and a future-ready workforce.
Commenting on the event, Director of the Statistical Training and Data Center Hessa Ali Al Malki, stated: "We are incredibly proud to have hosted Qatar's first-ever Datathon and are thrilled by the enthusiasm it has generated. Our aim is to drive meaningful advancements in data science, a field that plays a crucial role in informed decision-making and enhancing citizens' lives. This is just the beginning, and we are committed to building on this success to benefit the State of Qatar, both now and in the future."