Workshop brings together researchers to discuss entrepreneurship challenges

“The Qatar National Research Strategy identifies entrepreneurship as a key factor in the development of Qatar’s knowledge-based economy” Noor Al Merekhi, Director of Programs, QNRF.

INSIGHTS into entrepreneurship have been provided to early career researchers from Qatar and the UK who explored diverse themes, new perspectives, and potential collaborations, through a unique knowledge and networking opportunity at Qatar Foundation partner university HEC Paris.

HEC Paris partnered with HeriotWatt University, UK, to deliver the Entrepreneurship 2020 workshop at its Doha premises from 29-31 March 2016, with the aim of cultivating Qatar’s research capacity and enhancing its entrepreneurial culture.

Sponsored by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a research funding entity under Qatar Foundation Research and Development, and the British Council, the event – attended by more than 20 participants – addressed topics including entrepreneurship and leadership in a changing world; research methodologies applied in different settings and contexts; and strategies and scopes for future research proposals. It also promoted intercultural exchange of knowledge.

“Entrepreneurship 2020 exposed early career researchers to new perspectives and challenges, in addition to acting as the ideal opportunity to network and tap potential collaborative research opportunities,” said Professor Laoucine Kerbache, Dean and CEO, HEC Paris in Qatar.

“We hope it inspired participants to exploit their core competencies, optimize resources, and enhance their entrepreneurial success.

” Alongside lectures by HEC Paris and Heriot-Watt University faculty, poster presentations, and reflective exercises, the workshop featured a networking event that was attended by local entrepreneurs who are alumni of HEC Paris, and QNRF and British Council delegates.

“This workshop was intended to bring together researchers from Qatar and the UK and enable them to build networks in areas of common interest,” said Noor Al Merekhi, Director of Programs, QNRF, “and it is our hope that this collaboration will lead to research opportunities.

“The Qatar National Research Strategy identifies entrepreneurship as a key factor in the development of Qatar’s knowledge-based economy. Qatar is seeking to accelerate entrepreneurship, but we still face challenges in doing so. The workshop has allowed Qatar and UK researchers to discuss these challenges, and we now hope to build on it and identify collaborative research topics.

” Frank Fitzpatrick, Country Director, British Council, explained that the organization is supporting the enhancement of Qatar’s research capacity and the identification of research priorities shared by Qatar and the UK, to foster partnerships between the nations “that support greater economic engagement and joint research and innovation”.

Collaborations emerging from the workshop are set to focus on innovative research, to develop actionable knowledge on entrepreneurship in the region by 2020.