Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) and Boeing [NYSE:BA] are once again partnering to host the third annual Machine Learning and Data Analytics Symposium (MLDAS 2016). This important event, which is quickly emerging as the premier machine learning and data analytics event in the region, is open to students, researchers and industry experts, and will take place on March 14th and 15th in Doha, Qatar. It will feature top global experts discussing applications, recent advances and new solutions in the fields of machine learning and data analytics. The deadline for submitting full or position papers is February 7, 2016.

QCRI is one of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s three national research institutes, and in keeping with the university’s commitment to using education to help build the country’s innovation and technology capacity in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, a hands-on machine learning workshop aimed at secondary school and university students will also be offered.

“We are once again honored to partner with Boeing on this important annual event,” said Dr Ahmed K. Elmagarmid, Executive Director, QCRI. “We have enjoyed an extraordinarily positive response to the symposium the past two years and look forward to furthering participants’ understanding of the importance and applicability of data analytics and machine learning throughout our daily lives. QCRI and Boeing have worked diligently to build a strong partnership by tapping into what each of us does best-research and application-and we are leveraging each other’s expertise and professional networks to build a robust program for MLDAS 2016.”

With the continuing growth of big data in the areas of transportation, security, healthcare, finance, telecommunications and agriculture to name just a few, it has become increasingly vital to efficiently and effectively gather and analyze data not only to gain and maintain a competitive advantage, but also to inform decisions that impact society. The symposium provides a tremendous opportunity to gain insight into advanced analytics for big data such as machine learning, by engaging with leading experts who will discuss case studies and the latest research in the field.

“Data analytics is critical for every industry and with each symposium we find better ways to manage and analyze the data needed to make sound decisions. Our partnership with QCRI has allowed talent from around the world to congregate in Doha and share their innovations, expose regional students to experts in the field, and advance Qatar’s research and development objectives,” said Bernard Dunn, President of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.

MLDAS 2016 will serve as a platform for the exchange of new ideas, identification of important applications, and the discovery of possible synergies between attendees. The list of distinguished speakers confirmed to date include: Hugh Durrant-Whyte, Jesse Davis, Chris Jermaine, Claudia Perlich, James Schimert, , Cheng Soon Ong, Byron Wallace, Geoff Webb, and Mohammed Zaki.

Qatar Computing Research Institute is focused on tackling large-scale computing challenges that address national priorities for growth and development.

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., Boeing, which is fully funding MLDAS 2016, is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. Boeing Research & Technology collaborates with customers, suppliers, universities and R&D agencies throughout the world to provide a broad base of innovative and affordable technologies for Boeing’s business units.

Further information including submission guidelines and registration details for the Machine Learning and Data Analytics Symposium can be found at www.mldas.org.