Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is to participate in the upcoming Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) SciTech Conference 2019, taking place from April 19-21 at the Samberg Conference Center in the United States, under the theme of Envisioning the Future: Cities of MENA.

MIT’s Arab Student Organization (ASO) reactivated the event in 2018 to convene a global network of students, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators who are interested in using science and technology to address challenges specific to the MENA region. 

Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) and the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) will represent HBKU – this year’s Gold Sponsor – at the annual conference, where attendees from different disciplines will have the opportunity to collaborate on possible solutions for innovation, infrastructure, and energy challenges facing the region, and explore untapped potential in the Arab world. 

Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid, executive director of QCRI, said: “QCRI is partaking in this conference with the aim of illustrating technical possibilities previously unconsidered. The applicability of these technologies in the context of our region, and the empowerment of younger, adept generations, are crucial for our sustainability. The conference brings us one step closer to fulfilling this objective.”

Dr. Mounir Hamdi, dean of CSE, said: “We are proud to have CSE represent this global platform, which brings together likeminded individuals and organizations that are driven to make a positive impact. The event aims to accelerate the development, dissemination, and deployment of technology innovations that enable the achievement of solutions which are attuned to the needs of our time, and HBKU’s contributions are indelibly influencing this direction.”

The three-day event will feature a series of panel discussions; Q&As; an Innovation Exhibition displaying research projects and emerging startups; and SciTechTalks, showcasing the interesting projects and ideas Arab innovators are currently working on. 

An IDEAthon pitch competition, taking place alongside the conference, will see attendees work in teams to develop “solutions” to pre-defined infrastructure and energy challenges facing the MENA region. 

HBKU is an innovation-centric university dedicated to solving critical challenges facing Qatar and the region. The university continually leverages synergies with renowned local and international partners to promote knowledge transfer and advance mutual objectives. 

For more information on MIT SciTech, please visit www.scitech.mit.edu.