Organising targeted trade delegations across strategic sectors, while exposing Qatari youth to practical maker exhibitions, could deepen bilateral technology ties between Qatar and Italy and encourage more students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, a Doha-based engineer said. Randa Benazzouz, an entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in Qatar’s technology sector, highlighted the role of government trade mechanisms, such as the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) – Doha Office, in creating cross-border links between Italian hardware startups and Qatari institutions. “I would recommend targeted introductions based on specific needs, followed by joint workshops and small-scale pilot projects. The Italian Trade Agency’s initiative offers a valuable opportunity to build these connections. Each collaboration should have a clear local partner, a shared objective, and consistent follow-up,” said Benazzouz, who participated in the recent Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition. Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition, held annually in Rome, Italy, is Europe’s largest festival celebrating innovation, technology, and maker culture. It is organised by the Rome Chamber of Commerce through Innova Camera. Benazzouz lauded the ITA Doha Office, the Trade Promotion Section of the Italian Embassy in Qatar, for creating opportunities to connect Italian technology innovators directly with partners in the Qatari market. “The ITA’s initiative creates exciting opportunities to discover Italian innovation and build new connections. We’re seeing tremendous potential here today, with so many startups and technology-focused ventures,”she told Gulf Times. Citing potential sectors for partnership, Benazzouz pointed to agriculture, defence, and oil and gas as primary areas for technology integration between Qatar and Italy. “I see significant opportunities for Qatar–Italy collaboration in strategic sectors such as agriculture, defence, and energy. Emerging technologies, including drones, unmanned systems, and smart monitoring solutions, have the potential to improve operational efficiency, enhance safety, and address real-world challenges across these industries,” Benazzouz explained. To establish a functional link between Rome and Doha, Benazzouz recommended launching small, industry-specific delegations focused on solving designated Qatari challenges. “I would start with a small, focused delegation, with meetings centred on specific challenges in Qatar. We can select the industry.The goal should be to leave with one or two concrete pilot proposals, named partners, and a clear next step for each,” Benazzouz noted.Connecting these international technology partnerships to domestic skill development, Benazzouz pointed out that bringing a similar maker framework to Qatar would also have a profound impact on local youth and STEM education. Whether they’re saving water at school, reducing waste, or making something themselves, these projects build children’s confidence and help them see engineering as accessible. They begin to realise that they can become engineers, create solutions, and think creatively. It’s a hands-on way to develop creativity and problem-solving skills,” she pointed out. Benazzouz emphasised that hands-on learning experiences, such as maker exhibitions, can help young students see mathematics, science, and engineering as accessible and exciting subjects. By connecting classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, these experiences encourage creativity, build confidence, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. She also noted that introducing a maker model locally can inspire more people in Qatar to turn their curiosity into practical, real-world solutions.“Organising a Maker Faire in Doha could help inspire more people in Qatar to turn their curiosity into practical solutions and give them the confidence to build those solutions themselves,” Benazzouz said.
