The second edition of the Data Summer Camp 2026 concluded on Wednesday (August 12), following five days of activities organised by the National Planning Council (NPC), in collaboration and partnership with the Qatar Scientific Club (QSC), affiliated with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and with the participation of Microsoft Qatar.
The camp began on August 8 and brought together around 40 male and female students aged 14 to 17. It was organised as part of a national partnership aimed at strengthening future skills among young people and raising awareness of the importance of data and its role in supporting planning and decision-making. It also seeks to empower students to leverage digital technologies and artificial intelligence to develop practical solutions that serve the community, in line with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Over five days, participants took part in a comprehensive educational and hands-on experience. They progressed from learning about the fundamentals and sources of data to working with, analysing, and extracting indicators and insights from it. They were also introduced to the National Data Programme, its framework and areas of focus, as well as data processing and quality assessment. In addition, participants learned how to design interactive dashboards using Power BI and artificial intelligence technologies.
The camp also provided participants with opportunities to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice through interactive activities and challenges, culminating in the development of innovative data-driven ideas, initiatives, and solutions. Participants presented their final projects and outputs at the conclusion of the programme, reflecting the high level of engagement and learning achieved throughout the camp.
At the conclusion of the camp, QSC emphasised the importance of the experience in building young people's capabilities and equipping them with practical skills aligned with future requirements. The Club noted that investing in knowledge and digital skills represents a genuine investment in the capabilities of the nation's youth.
Engineer Abdulrahman Saleh Khamis, deputy executive director of QSC, said: “The Data Summer Camp was more than just a training programme; it was a practical experience that enabled our young participants to move from theoretical knowledge to application, working with and analysing data and transforming it into ideas and insights that can contribute to developing solutions and supporting decision-making.”
Saeed Abdullah Mubarak al-Hajri, assistant director of the Statistical Systems Department at NPC, emphasised that the camp reflects the Council's commitment to fostering a data culture among young people and preparing a generation capable of leveraging data to support development.
He noted that the experience enabled participants to learn about the National Data Programme and acquire practical skills in data analysis, dashboard development, and transforming results into actionable insights and initiatives.
Salma al-Sulaiti, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Qatar, affirmed that Microsoft's participation in the Data Summer Camp stems from its commitment to equipping young people with digital, data, and AI skills, which are among the most important skills for the future.
Al-Sulaiti added that the experience provided students with practical opportunities to explore modern tools and technologies and apply them to analyse data and transform it into innovative insights and ideas.
Engineer Hessa al-Najjar, supervisor of the Data Summer Camp Programme, explained that QSC’s hosting of the camp is aligned with its mission to build young people's capabilities in science, technology, and innovation, while providing interactive learning environments that keep pace with rapid developments in the digital world.
She emphasised that the partnership between NPC, QSC, and Microsoft Qatar represents an outstanding model of national institutional collaboration in preparing a generation equipped with future skills. It also empowers young people to leverage modern technologies and artificial intelligence to analyse data and transform knowledge into innovative solutions and projects that contribute to serving the community.
At the conclusion of the camp, the organising entities expressed their appreciation to the participants for their enthusiasm and active engagement, as well as to all trainers, experts, and organisers who contributed to the success of the programme.