College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q), in collaboration with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), yesterday launched an innovative programme ‘Business Gateway’ aimed at developing the capabilities of student entrepreneurs.
The Business Gateway is a pre-incubation business hub, established on the CNA-Q campus, to encourage and support entrepreneurship. The first of its kind initiative was launched during a special ceremony yesterday at CNA-Q, in the presence of H E Dr Mohammed Saleh Al Sada, former Minister of Energy and Industry, Dr Ibrahim Al Naimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, dignitaries, and leading academics.
The event witnessed a grand opening ceremony, as well as announcing the “Qatari Entrepreneurs Day” of Graduate students and academics, which will be held on April 28th, with a reach-out to students on April 8th.
Business Gateway is a pre-incubation programme designed to support entrepreneurship, and to accelerate research innovations and promising ideas to the marketplace, as well as help all entrepreneurial CNA-Q students, faculty staff and alumni to take advantage of the initiative.
On the launch of the project, Dr Khalifa bin Naser Al Khalifa, President of College of the North Atlantic – Qatar, said “We are pleased to collaborate on this important project with QDB. It provides a perfect platform for growth for our budding entrepreneurs.
Business Gateway is a great platform for individuals aiming to take the next leap forward as it prepares them to make the proper decisions in bringing their ideas to market, which are research-based. We are confident that this programme will greatly assist professionals grow their businesses at a realistic pace ably supported by mentors’ guidance and dramatically transform the innovation ecosystem of Qatar.”
Abdulaziz bin Naser Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB, said “QDB is keen on launching initiatives to support Qatari entrepreneurs who have innovative ideas by providing them with the most important local, regional and international expertise to enhance their capabilities and support their projects, to effectively contribute to diversify the national economy for the benefits of the sustainable development. We are delighted to collaborate with
CNA-Q to come on-board for this maiden educational programme to fructify in the most successful manner so that other universities and institutes can emulate the same and come forward to be a part of this changing entrepreneurial landscape.”
Business Gateway is poised to develop an extensive and vibrant network of CNA-Q students, staff and graduates to encourage dialogue and exploration of opportunities between the SMEs owners and student entrepreneurs through specialized workshops to present their business concepts, as well as explore opportunities to support the innovation ecosystem.
The programme also provides participants with the opportunity to obtain offices and a designated area for collaborative work to support the students’ projects at the beginning, as well as space for sharing ideas, consultation and creating a leadership atmosphere.
Source from: The Peninsula