Eng. Omar Ali Al Ansari
Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Innovate UK KTN in a new collaboration that will create connections between Qatari and UK innovators.
Eng. Omar Ali Al Ansari, Secretary-General of the QRDI Council and Jon Kingsbury, Executive Director at Innovate UK KTN, virtually signed the MoU that will allow Qatar and the UK to collaborate on projects that advance innovation in Qatar in line with the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation strategy QRDI 2030.
This will be effected through knowledge transfer and sharing best practices, leveraging Innovate UK KTN’s extensive networks to foster collaboration and connecting innovation opportunities in Qatar with innovative businesses in the UK. Through the partnership, QRDI and Innovate UK KTN will work on projects to further develop Qatar’s innovation ecosystem.
Eng. Al Ansari said, “At QRDI Council we work closely with the private sector, government bodies and knowledge institutes to identify opportunities and encourage connections with innovators in order to drive the next wave of private sector innovation. We are very pleased to partner with Innovate UK KTN, which connects innovators with partners and opportunities in the UK and around the world, driving creativity and fast-tracking the realisation of brilliant ideas into game-changing products.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to facilitate the sharing of skills, knowledge and talent on a global level, growing Qatar’s capabilities within innovation and furthering our national RDI strategy QRDI 2030 as we help turn ideas into reality.”
Jon Kingsbury added, “We are delighted to be working with the QRDI Council. Through this MoU, Innovate UK KTN will have the opportunity to expand its networks and projects for the mutual benefit of UK and Qatar research, business and innovation. Our focus in this relationship will be to connect for positive change.”
H E Jon Wilks CMG, British Ambassador to Qatar, said, “I am delighted that the Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council and the Innovate UK KTN have reached this strategic agreement. QRDI and Innovate UK KTN are natural partners. The UK is recognised as a world leader when it comes to research and innovation, and that expertise is built on an open and collaborative approach to international research and information exchange.
“Given the vast reach of Innovate UK KTN, this partnership will build wider Qatar/UK collaboration around science and technology and ultimately help stimulate coordinated action across government, industry and academia in both countries.”
