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Qatar Museums Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is expected to be among the key Qatari voices at Web Summit Qatar 2026, highlighting the growing role of culture and creativity in global technology conversations as the event returns to the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from February 1 to 4. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa’s presence signals that Web Summit Qatar continues to position itself as more than a technology conference, blending culture, creativity and innovation into the broader digital agenda. A strong investment and policy dimension is also expected, led by Invest Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani. During Web Summit Qatar 2025, Invest Qatar participated in sessions and side events that promoted Qatar as a destination for global startups and investors. In 2026, Sheikh Ali Alwaleed is likely to expound on Qatar’s investment climate, venture capital opportunities across the GCC, and the mechanisms supporting startup funding and scale-up from Qatar into international markets. Local founders who featured in the previous edition are also set to return to the stage, including Snoonu founder and CEO Hamad al-Hajri. He figured among the most closely watched Qatari entrepreneurs in 2025, when homegrown platforms were highlighted as proof of the country’s fast-maturing startup ecosystem. Urban Point CEO Saif Qazi and Skipcash founder Mohammed al-Delaimi are expected to share insights from the digital services and fintech sectors. In 2025, panels featuring local founders focused on customer acquisition, regulation and regional expansion. Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, secretary general of the National Planning Council; and Mohammed Abdulsalam al-Emadi, executive director of Investment and Incubation at Qatar Development Bank will also headline the speakers. Both institutions were actively engaged in Web Summit Qatar 2025, where discussions centred on economic diversification, incubation programmes and public–private collaboration. With expertise in talent development and innovation education, Khalifa Alyafei, CEO of the Qatar Finance and Business Academy; and Sylia Khecheni, head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Doha for Science and Technology, are likely to revisit skills development, entrepreneurship training, and the role of academia in feeding the startup ecosystem, topics that gained momentum during last year’s summit. From the corporate and public-sector side, Najla Ibrahim al-Mutawa, executive vice president of Strategy and Business Development at QNB Group; and Eman al-Kuwari, director of Digital Innovation at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, are expected to speak on digital transformation, corporate innovation and the government’s role in enabling emerging technologies. Adding a creator-economy dimension is Haneen Alsaify, a content creator, chemical engineer and entrepreneur, reflecting Web Summit Qatar’s continued expansion into digital influence and online entrepreneurship, an area that attracted strong engagement during the 2025 edition. The third edition of Web Summit Qatar is witnessing a strong demand for participation and expected to attract around 30,000 participants from over 120 countries, organisers said. 

Qatar Museums (QM) begins 2026 with a rich and varied January programme that blends creativity, learning, and community engagement across its museums and creative hubs. Designed for audiences of all ages, the month-long line-up spans hands-on workshops, thought-provoking lectures, film screenings, and family-friendly outdoor activities.At M7, creativity takes centre stage through a series of practical workshops that invite participants to experiment with craft, design, and self-expression. The Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder Workshop Friday (January 9) offers a calming introduction to mosaic art, guiding participants step by step as they assemble colourful geometric designs on glass.The Make Your Own Garangao Tote Bag workshop, scheduled January 10, introduces the punch needle technique in a festive edition inspired by local tradition. Those interested in design at a more conceptual level can join the four-day Design Your Interior Space programme running on selected dates throughout the month, which provides a structured, professional approach to planning interior projects and creating digital mood boards.**media[402337]**Rounding out the programme, the Macrame and Colour Workshop on January 11 combines texture and painting, allowing participants to create personalised artworks on wooden bases in a relaxed, beginner-friendly environment.The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) offers an equally engaging slate of activities that focuses on memory, storytelling, and sustainability. From Me to NMoQ, held on Saturdays throughout January in collaboration with Qatar Post, invites visitors to take Polaroid photographs, write personal messages, and contribute to a growing collective postcard display celebrating connection and shared experience.The Ancestral Registry workshop on January 10 and 14 centres on oral history, encouraging participants to document stories of grandparents and elders, and to reflect on everyday life, values, and customs in earlier generations of Qatar.Textile and environmental themes come together in Fabricated Horizon, a hands-on sculpture workshop inspired by the exhibition Countryside: A Place to Live, Not to Leave, in which participants explore heritage and sustainability through creative practice. Throughout the month, families can also enjoy film screenings of Hope and Turtle Odyssey, two engaging films that follow the journeys of sea turtles while raising awareness about marine conservation and environmental responsibility.**media[402338]**The International Children’s Day at the Museum of Islamic Art on January 10 invites families to explore the museum’s outdoor spaces and engage with activities inspired by the iconic I M Pei building and exhibition.Young aspiring designers can take part in Architects: Build Your Own Modern Monument on January 20, a hands-on workshop introducing children aged 8 to 12 to architectural thinking through creative model-making.Older children can join Flowers of the Past on January 26-27, which combines a gallery tour with a practical workshop exploring Islamic motifs found in historic pots and vases, culminating in the creation of functional cardboard designs for plants and flowers.**media[402339]**January also marks the launch of season one of Lusail Museum Conversations, a new public lecture series examining the Late Ottoman world through art, politics, and cultural exchange.The opening lecture on January 13, delivered by historian Edhem Eldem, explores the paintings of the last Ottoman caliph, Abdulmecid II, and how art was used to project modernity and responsibility during a period of reform.The second lecture, on January 27, turns to 19th-century Tunisia, examining how rulers reshaped political imagery, diplomacy, and architecture to position the country at the crossroads of Ottoman reform and emerging modern statehood.**media[402340]**Liwan Design Studios and Labs adds a strong cinematic and narrative dimension to the month with workshops focused on visual storytelling, costume design, and sound.Storyboarding = Storytelling, running from January 12 to 15, introduces participants to the power of storyboards as a visual blueprint for film production, led by Belgian filmmaker and visual artist Vincent Bal.From Script to Stitch, held from January 14 to 18, examines how costume design shapes character and narrative, guided by costume designer Mohammed “Simba” Elmur. Sound takes the spotlight in The Craft of the Foley Artist from January 19 to 21, where participants learn to create and record sound effects under the guidance of Rome-based foley artist Mauro Eusepi.For younger audiences, Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar continues its popular Dadu Gardens activation every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until April. 

Qatar Museums (QM) announced the launch of the Lusail Museum Conversations, an ongoing series of public lectures and events. The inaugural season, titled The Late Ottoman World: At the Roots of the Modern Middle East, runs from January to April and will take place at Georgetown University in Qatar. Across five in-depth talks, the series examines questions of authority, artistic expression, reform, and belonging during the 19th century, revealing the foundations of many dynamics that continue to shape the region today. This is the first of a longer cycle of thematic seasons.Designed as a platform for dialogue, scholarship, and cultural exchange, the programme invites audiences to explore, with leading speakers, the cities, stories, and figures of the 19th-century Middle East and beyond. Through conversations led by internationally recognised historians and cultural figures who are also acclaimed storytellers, audiences will learn unexpected stories about late Ottoman culture and the roots of the modern Middle East, discovering how people negotiated the challenges and appeal of European modernity in a world rooted in its own history.The inaugural season brings together five lectures and a film screening, each delving into key aspects of the late Ottoman world. From exploring the intersections of art, authority, and reform, to questions of identity and cultural exchange, the talks examine how pivotal figures and events shaped the cultural and artistic landscapes of the 19th-century Middle East.Audiences will gain insight into palace culture, diplomacy, the experiences of imperial elites, the contributions of women artists, and the legacies of memory and migration in the region. Season One traces art, power, and identity across the late Ottoman world and its peripheries. It opens on January 13 with Edhem Eldem’s Princes, Patrons, and Painters, which examines how the last Ottoman caliph, Abdülmecid (1868–1944), used painting to project modernity and responsibility after the 1908 Young Turk Revolution, revealing the paradoxes of imperial modernisation.On January 27, Ridha Moumni’s At the Empire’s Edge explores 19th-century Tunis, showing how rulers reshaped political imagery, ceremony, and architecture, beginning with the Bey’s 1846 visit to Paris, to position the country between Ottoman reform, Mediterranean exchange, and emerging statehood.The third talk, on February 16, features Mostafa Minawi’s Arab-Ottoman Imperialists of Istanbul, which draws on archival research and his book 'Losing Istanbul' (2022) to reconsider nationalism through the lives of Arab imperial elites navigating loyalty and belonging at the empire’s end.On April 1, Gizem Tongo’s painting 'Like a Man' centres on the painter Mihri, examining women artists’ challenges to Orientalism and institutional hierarchies.The season concludes on April 14 with a screening of Philippe Aractingi’s Héritages (2014), followed by a public conversation with the director, hosted by Alain Fouad George of the Lusail Institute. 

Qatar Museums has honoured the patrons whose generosity has enriched its collections and played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's cultural landscape.From families sharing treasured heirlooms and artists donating unparalleled works, to corporations and diplomatic missions contributing historical documents and defining artworks, these acts of giving reflect a shared commitment to placing objects of meaning into public trust.Together, these gifts have been essential to the institution's development over the past 20 years and the preservation of Qatar's national heritage."The story of Qatar Museums is inseparable from the cultural objects and artworks that have been entrusted to us," said Her Excellency the Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani. "I am deeply grateful to the many donors who have placed their trust in Qatar Museums by sharing these works with the nation. When donors choose to share these works, they ensure that memories, traditions, and artistic excellence become part of a collective legacy. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we thank them for helping to preserve our heritage and inspiring creativity, knowledge, and dialogue across generations."Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Museums Mohammed Saad al-Rumaihi said: "Qatar Museums is committed to supporting a robust and sustainable ecosystem for cultural philanthropy. We sincerely thank the individuals, families, and organisations whose generosity has helped build our collections and expand what our museums can offer the public, and whose contributions continue to shape the nation's cultural legacy."Over the past two decades, more than 250 donors have contributed artworks and objects across Qatar Museums’ institutions and initiatives, helping to build collections that span art, heritage, sport, design, and public space. Together, these contributions have shaped a national collection that reflects the richness of Qatar’s history and its openness to the world.This year, Qatar Museums is marking its 20th anniversary with the launch of Evolution Nation, honouring the establishment of the National Museum of Qatar 50 years ago and highlighting the nation's cultural milestones and its aspirations for the future.As Qatar Museums looks ahead, it continues to welcome those who wish to contribute to this shared cultural legacy, ensuring that the collections entrusted to the nation today will inform, inspire, and belong to generations to come.

Qatar Museums (QM) has unveiled Autorretrato (Self-Portrait, 2022) by Argentinian artist Gabriel Chaile, a major new installation in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. Installed in Mathaf's performance space, the work underscores the museum's ongoing commitment to cultural exchange and its support for impactful contemporary artistic practices that resonate across the region and beyond. Autorretrato is also part of the Qatar Argentina and Chile 2025 Years of Culture, a national initiative that builds lasting partnerships and celebrates shared creativity, history, and innovation. **media[396990]**  The partnership with Argentina this year highlights the depth of artistic traditions, contemporary practices, and collaborative projects, positioning this new installation as a milestone in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and strengthening international artistic connections.  The deputy chief executive of ALRIWAQ, Public Art, and Rubaiya, Her Excellency Sheikha Reem al-Thani, said: "As Mathaf celebrates its 15th anniversary, the unveiling of Gabriel Chaile's Autorretrato highlights the transformative role of public art in connecting audiences with contemporary creative practice.” “This artwork not only enriches the museum's anniversary programme but also serves as a catalyst for dialogue, inviting reflection on ancestry, heritage, and the ways in which personal and collective identities are interwoven,” she said. “By situating Chaile's sculpture within a public space, we aim to create meaningful encounters that resonate across cultures, histories, and generations." **media[396915]** Born in 1985 in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, Chaile is renowned for sculptural practice grounded in the material cultures, archaeological histories, and native traditions of Latin America. Drawing from his Afro-Arab and Indigenous heritage, Chaile's work examines how identity is shaped by inherited memory, community narratives, and centuries of cultural interconnection. Autorretrato departs from traditional portraiture and expresses identity through symbolic and material elements. The sculpture's surface is marked by raised clusters inspired in part by the prehistoric Venus of Willendorf, suggesting textured hair and referencing Chaile's hybrid Afro-Arab and Latin ancestry. Subtle eye-shaped impressions appear on both sides of the work, echoing the dual-headed forms characteristic of pre-Hispanic ceramics and introducing a sense of duality and introspection. "Autorretrato brings together material memory and lived experience in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant,” said Mathaf director Zeina Arida. “Gabriel Chaile's work encourages us to consider how form can carry history and resilience,” she said. “Presenting this work at Mathaf during our 15th anniversary year is an ideal way to introduce the museum's future focus on ceramic art, crafting a dialogue where tradition meets innovative form." Crafted in adobe, a clay that was often used for Indigenous architecture and pottery across the continent, the work grounds itself in the earth, and the sculpture's conical form recalls traditional pipes once used in everyday life in northwestern Argentina.By merging these references, Chaile creates a work that articulates what he describes as a "Genealogy of Form", a framework through which ancestral memory, material history, and contemporary identity converge.  The sculpture is presented as part of Evolution Nation, an 18-month campaign honouring Qatar's cultural journey over the past 50 years since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ).Curated by Qatar Creates, the national initiative positions Qatar as a global hub for art, culture, and creativity.  As part of this celebration, the unveiling of Chaile's Autorretrato represents a significant milestone for the QM, highlighting the institution's ongoing commitment to commissioning and presenting contemporary public art that connects local audiences with global artistic practice. 

Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM) and Isha Ambani of India’s Mumbai-based Reliance Industries have signed a five-year strategic partnership between the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC) and QM. The collaboration will establish a series of Museum-in-Residence educational programmes in both India and Qatar, designed to introduce playful, museum-based learning experiences for children and provide educators with new tools to inspire creativity nationwide. The ceremony took place at the National Museum of Qatar in Doha. Connected by a shared belief in the power of education to spark creativity and the importance of cross-cultural exchange, QM and NMACC are jointly developing programmes to enrich early childhood learning. While centred on the needs of young learners, these initiatives also equip teachers and volunteers with new tools, materials, and playful methodologies that empower them to innovate in the classroom. Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said: “Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre share the belief that creativity and cultural exchange are key to shaping a new generation of confident, empathetic young learners. Through this collaboration, led by Isha Ambani, a legacy of our Year of Culture with India, Qatar Museums will contribute its skills and experiences to the outstanding educational programmes of the centre’s already robust history and ever-expanding roster providing educational tools and insights, helping them extend their reach in classrooms throughout India.” In India, NMACC will partner with Reliance Foundation (RF) to implement the programming across multiple regions, guided by QM specialists — including experts from the Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar — who will deliver masterclasses and hands-on mentoring. In keeping with NMACC’s mission to bring the best of the world to India and share the best of India with the world, each programme will be adapted to diverse learning contexts, strengthening the Centre’s broader commitment to education and the arts.Isha Ambani, Director Reliance Industries noted: “We are pleased to partner with Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Qatar Museums on this meaningful collaboration focused on children and education. At the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, we are committed to bringing global ideas to India while sharing India’s rich cultural heritage with the world and creating world-class educational experiences for young people. Both Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre believe that culture is where imagination begins, and education is where potential becomes real. Through this partnership, we aim to spark new forms of learning that empower every child to dream boldly and to learn confidently.” QM and NMACC will also work together to develop additional initiatives that encourage creativity, empathy, and discovery. These programmes will be implemented in schools, anganwadis, and community centres across India, including in rural and underserved regions. Maha al-Hajri, Acting Director of Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, said, “We are proud to launch this collaboration as part of Dadu’s Museum-in-Residence programme, bringing the Light Atelier to new audiences in India. The Light Atelier, developed for children aged three to seven, creates immersive, hands-on learning environments that reflect Dadu’s commitment to learning through play. As part of our learning-through-play philosophy, this Museum-in-Residence programme allows us to share Dadu’s approach beyond our walls while creating meaningful cultural exchanges with partners like the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.” This partnership marks a milestone in Qatar Museums’ ongoing commitment to advancing education and cultural exchange globally, reflecting the mission of Qatar National Vision 2030 to invest in human and cultural development. 

Qatar Museums (QM) announced the election of Abdulatif al-Jasmi, director of QM’s Cultural Heritage Protection Department, to the Executive Council of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).The election took place at the 34th session of the ICCROM General Assembly in Rome, held from December 10 to 12. Al-Jasmi, who was Qatar’s nominee and a key member of the Qatari delegation, was elected to serve a four-year term on the Council.The Executive Council is one of the most important governing bodies of ICCROM, responsible for setting Centre’s general policies, adopting work plans and programmes, and monitoring the implementation of international activities. This membership in this Council enables Qatar and QM to play an active role in strategic decision-making and contribute to global initiatives that advance best practices in heritage training, management, capacity building, and the protection of endangered cultural property worldwide.This achievement strengthens QM’s position as a global leader in conservation and cultural management. It is a culmination of Qatar's sustained commitment to cultural preservation, led at a national effort through the expertise of institutions such as QM. This success also reflects the international community's profound confidence in Qatar's capacity to significantly influence global conservation and restoration policies and drive initiatives for protecting cultural heritage worldwide. This election further affirms QM’s success in establishing a comprehensive national system that ensures the adoption of global best practices and the protection and management of cultural heritage. 

Design Doha, Qatar Museums’ biennial showcase for excellence and innovation in design from Qatar and across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (Menasa), has announced the appointment of internationally renowned architect and designer India Mahdavi (pictured left) as head of jury for the Design Doha Prize 2026. “India Mahdavi represents the very essence of what Design Doha stands for: a celebration of cultural dialogue, craftsmanship, and optimism through design,” said Design Doha acting director Fahad al-Obaidly. A globally acclaimed architect and designer, Paris-based Mahdavi is renowned for her distinctive approach to colour, form, and cultural storytelling. Awarded on April 14, 2026, the Design Doha Prize honours innovation and craftsmanship in four categories: Craft, Product Design, Furniture Design, and Emerging Talent.More information is available at https://designdoha.org.qa/en/calendar/design-doha-prize/ 

Qatar Museums (QM) has been recognised with several prestigious distinctions at the Qatar Tourism Awards 2025 which was co-organised by Qatar Tourism and the UN World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).In total, QM received four awards at the Qatar Tourism Awards 2025, recognising excellence across multiple areas of cultural tourism.The Museum of Islamic Art won the Outstanding Cultural Tourism Experience Award; National Museum of Qatar won the Iconic Local Attraction Award; Qatar Museums (Institutional) won the Tourism Innovation Award; and Director of the Museum of Islamic Art ,Shaikha Nasser Al Nassr won the Emerging Leader in Tourism Award.Qatar Museums CEO, Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihicommented: "The recognition we have received at the Qatar Tourism Awards 2025 is a powerful validation of our vision to place culture at the heart of national development. These achievements reinforce Qatar Museums' position as a global centre for art and culture, delivering world-class, authentic and memorable visitor experiences that continue to elevate our nation's cultural standing on the world stage."QC+, QM's strategic group for creative and commercial growth, was also shortlisted in four areas across its F&B and Hospitality portfolio, recognizing its dedication to cultural expression, and guest experience. This year's awards attracted more than 1,160 submissions, which were evaluated by a distinguished international jury from a shortlist of 195 entries.The 2025 edition also introduced an Alumni Network and new sub-categories like "Hotelier of the Year," reinforcing the event's role in driving continuous innovation and supporting Qatar National Vision 2030.

In collaboration with Qatar Museums, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), Chile's National Centre for World Heritage Sites, and the World Heritage Site Municipal Corporation of Valparaiso, and Trama Cultura, Years of Culture is hosting a regional workshop in Valparaiso, Chile, from November 24 to 28, 2025, dedicated to strengthening international cooperation in safeguarding heritage.As part of the Qatar Argentina and Chile 2025 Year of Culture, experts from Qatar Museums' Cultural Heritage Protection Department will work alongside Chilean and international specialists in a five-day program titled "Enhancing the Effectiveness of World Heritage Management." The initiative aims to pass on knowledge, share lived experiences and set up international expert networks between those entrusted with the world's most precious cultural legacies.Abdullatif Al Jasmi, Director of Cultural Heritage Protection at Qatar Museums, said: "This collaboration with Chile reflects our shared responsibility to protect and preserve cultural heritage for future generations. Through the Years of Culture initiative, we are building meaningful platforms for knowledge exchange and professional collaboration that strengthen the management and resilience of World Heritage sites."Working together allows us to advance expertise and promote a deeper sense of cultural cooperation, preserving the stories and places that shape our shared human legacy," he added.Throughout the week, participants will explore how to sustain the values and authenticity of World Heritage sites through improved governance, legal frameworks, and management planning. The sessions will weave together global best practices with local perspectives, translating the lessons learned in Qatar's desert landscapes into strategies for Chile's coastal heritage.Practical sessions at the Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will transform the city itself into a living classroom. Participants will engage in fieldwork, risk assessments, and peer-to-peer exchanges that tackle real-world conservation challenges, fostering both technical skills and a spirit of shared stewardship.

Qatar Museums has opened two exhibitions as part of its 2025 Ruwad in Residence programme, at Fire Station Artist in Residence (AIR), featuring the work of two Qatar-based established artists. The first, titled "And Then, A Return," features Qatari artist Fatma al-Naimi, while the second, "What Remains to Be Seen," showcases Palestinian artist Dr Aissa Deebi. Both exhibitions will be on view until December 13. **media[382688]** Artist Fatma al-Naimi told the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the residency experience has been positive and enriching, allowing her to exchange experiences with participating artists, engage in dialogues about art, and participate in various activities at Fire Station's AIR, including cultural forums, lectures, and art exhibitions. She also highlighted the opportunity to utilise the open studio's diverse resources and techniques. **media[382689]** Al-Naimi explained that her year-long experience culminated in this exhibition, reflecting on personal moments, memories, and experiences, which she translated into artworks using various mediums, including printmaking, painting, and video art, employing diverse techniques and media. Palestinian visual artist Aissa Deebi, praised the excellence of the artist residency programme and its role in promoting creative and cultural work. He emphasised that it provides an opportunity for reflection, contemplation, research, and presenting artistic experiences to the public, especially given Qatar's ongoing artistic renaissance and its focus on the impact of art on building society and the national economy. He said his works in the exhibition are inspired by the circumstances of the aggression against Gaza and aim to highlight the role of art during times of war, fostering hope, and affirming the importance of creativity in strengthening Palestinian cultural identity. **media[382690]** Launched in 2021, Ruwad Residency supports and fosters dialogue between Qatar-based established and emerging artists. By providing time, space, and resources, the programme reinforces the Fire Station's role as a hub for artistic exchange and innovation. The residency also ensures the Fire Station's continued connection to local artists and creates meaningful exchanges through mentorship. Nominated by the Fire Station, Ruwad artists participate for up to two years, gaining access to studio space and the opportunity to engage with the wider community through public programmes such as talks and workshops.

Qatar Museums (QM) and the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) announced the launch of the NMoQ Metaverse Pilot Project, marking a major step in digital cultural innovation.This initiative, developed in collaboration with Cisco, and in turn, with Web3 implementation partner droppGroup, presents a live and intelligent museum experience that integrates immersive 3D environments, augmented and extended reality, and artificial intelligence.The project aims to place Qatar at the forefront of integrating metaverse and AI technologies to enhance museum engagement, while exploring new technologies intended to promote access to culture.By embracing innovation, QM demonstrates its role as a pioneer in cultural transformation and experimentation while supporting the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.The platform also introduces new opportunities for accessibility and remote learning, allowing students, researchers, and educators to engage with Qatar’s cultural heritage in new ways.In a press statement, NMoQ director Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Thani said: “With the NMoQ Metaverse Pilot Project, we are extending this mission into the digital realm, allowing audiences everywhere to walk through our galleries, engage with our collections, and encounter Qatar’s history in immersive and interactive new ways.“This initiative ensures that NMoQ continues to be not only a guardian of heritage, but also a frontrunner in shaping how museums engage with the world.”QM noted that this project is part of Cisco's Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme in Qatar. Active in Qatar since 2019, CDA is Cisco’s strategic programme designed to accelerate the nation's digitalisation agenda and generate new value for its citizens, businesses, and the country as a whole.Through public and private partnerships, the programme focuses on leveraging innovative digital solutions to address national challenges across key sectors such as national infrastructure, education, and smart communities.Through the pilot, visitors can explore digital twins of three galleries: The Archaeology of Qatar, The People of Qatar, and Life in Al Barr (The Desert). Twenty-two curated objects are presented with interactive augmented reality features, detailed descriptions, and direct links to the museum’s online collection.The experience is enhanced by Murjana, NMoQ’s customised digital mascot, who provides bilingual narration in Arabic and English with intelligent, personalised guidance. Accessible on mobile devices, desktops, tablets, and VR headsets, the platform also introduces new opportunities for remote learning, allowing students and educators to engage with Qatar’s cultural heritage in new ways.“QM has consistently demonstrated strategic vision in leveraging technology to advance cultural preservation and global engagement, in alignment with Qatar's national digital ambitions. This initiative is a direct testament to that forward-thinking approach,” said Cisco Qatar general manager Hasan Khan.