Officials and guests at the event.
Doha, Qatar: National Planning Council (NPC) in partnership with Microsoft hosted the inaugural edition of the ‘Qatar Datathon 2025’ competition yesterday, at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC). The event, which runs until February 22 aims to bring together skilled data science professionals from across Qatar.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the competition, Ahmed Al Obaidly, Director General of the National Statistics Center, said: “This strategy of launching the Detathon initiative will empower and lead the efforts at a national level with entities toward fixing and empowering data and refreshing the statistics portfolio in the country.”
In his opening speech, Al Obaidly emphasised the significance of data in today’s world and its crucial role in shaping Qatar’s knowledge-driven future. He discussed how leveraging advanced technologies helps develop insights, strategies, and informed decision-making. He also highlighted the National Statistics Center’s initiatives and its ongoing improvements, aligned with global best practices, to maintain Qatar’s leadership.
The competition brings together university students, recent graduates, and professionals in data science and related fields, providing them with a valuable platform to showcase their expertise, connect with industry experts, and explore career opportunities with NPC’s National Statistics Center.
Attendees will tackle challenges centered around themes such as population, education, labour market, safety and security, healthcare services, and environmental sustainability. These themes are in line with the goals and indicators outlined in the Third National Development Strategy.
During the event, Hessa Ali Al Malki, Director of the Statistical Training and Data Center, also addressed, offering an overview of the event and the competition’s structure, and the challenges participants would face. She encouraged young mindsets to think creatively in their solutions.
“This is not just a competition, but a crucial first step toward driving real change in data science, with the potential to influence policymaking and significant developments across various sectors, ultimately enhancing people’s lives,” Al Malki said.
On the other hand, Michael Mansour, Chief Learning Officer for EMEA at Microsoft, also spoke about the data revolution in today’s world and the vast opportunities it presents across industries, governments, businesses, and individuals. He emphasized that the competition is not solely about applying academic knowledge, but about transforming theories into practical, real-world solutions.
Saud Matar Al Shammari, Director of NPC’s Statistical Operations Department, introduced the NPC and its role.
