QU colleges launch innovation and entrepreneurship contest

Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics (CBE) and College of Engineering (CENG) have launched the ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest 2016/17.’
This year, the participating teams will have access to training materials through online webinars to ensure they benefit the most of the content provided by experts.
The training webinars will orient them on how to prepare and present effective business models and pitches outlining the essence of their business ideas.
Presentations will be delivered in front of a panel of judges on December 12 and winners will be announced on December 20. Registration for the contest will run until November 15.
Apart from cash prizes, winners will also get a chance to have their ideas developed further at CFE Incubator through vigorous coaching and training. This will enable them to excel their business plans and possibly get funding opportunities and access the local business community.
“The contest is designed to spread awareness about the importance of entrepreneurial activities, trigger the entrepreneurial skills of QU students and engage them on how to develop sound business plans,” CENG dean Dr Khalifa al-Khalifa said.
“When they graduate, our students will enter a highly competitive business environment in Qatar. They have to acquire the skills and competencies to become the next leaders in the world of business,” he added.
CBE dean Dr Khalid al-Abdulqader stressed the importance of innovative ideas to develop a sound business sector and to ultimately contribute to the country’s development and progress.
“Through this annual competition, we are inviting our students to invest their talents in the spirit of competition, shared knowledge and teamwork,” he said. “The business ideas should be feasible, realistic and preferably serve the needs of the labour market and the private sector in Qatar.”