Doha: Ibtechar, a leading innovation and capacity-building consultancy, hosted the first edition of its new dialogue series, Ibtechar Majlis, under the theme “Imagining a Public Innovation Lab for Qatar.”
The event brought together senior government representatives, academia, and innovation experts to explore the development of a Public Innovation Lab (PIL) ecosystem that would help to further improve efficiency, service delivery, and encourage greater citizen participation.
The session moderated by Co-Founder and CEO of Ibtechar Eng Nayef Al-Ibrahim, saw the participation of distinguished speakers including Director of Digital Innovation at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) Eman Al Kuwari; Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the College of Law, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)Dr. Georgios Dimitropoulos; Director of Governmental Innovation Department at the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB) Hissa Al Tamimi; and Executive Director of Strategy & Programs at the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council Nejoud M Al-Jehani.
Throughout the insightful event, panellists examined practical approaches and global best practices across two domains: government and public innovation. Participants aligned on working definitions and shared how their respective organisations are shaping Qatar’s innovation landscape. Speakers also highlighted Qatar’s strong regulatory framework, citing examples such as the cryptocurrency ban and the early adoption of an AI strategy, as evidence of the country’s active role in fostering innovation and its impact on economic development.
Eng Al-Ibrahim said: “Qatar has an advantage as a small country. Having a hybrid model of a Public Innovation Lab, with a centralised and decentralised aspect, brings significant value to a state of its size.”
This is the approach Ibtechar recommends in their latest white paper. A central Public Innovation Lab to accelerate cross-government priorities, complemented by hybrid ministry-level labs that build capacity and deliver tangible solutions within sectors.
This two-pronged approach ensures strategic alignment with national goals, faster piloting and scaling, and stronger cross-ministry collaboration.
Eng. Al-Ibrahim concluded the panel, stating, “Innovation requires persistence; it is a long-term journey, and achieving a true cultural shift takes time. We need a Qatar National Innovation Day — a day when the public sector, private sector, communities, students, and professionals unite to celebrate innovation.
“We have witnessed the impact of National Sports Day over the years; imagine what we could achieve in five to seven years if we came together annually to celebrate innovation, encourage experimentation, and share knowledge.”
