Doha, July 20 (QNA) - The 2025 Summer Innovation Camp officially kicked off on Sunday. The camp is organized by the Young Entrepreneurs Club under the umbrella of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, in collaboration with Qatar Chamber, with support from the Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and hosted by Qatar University.

The camp will run until August 12, featuring a variety of workshops and activities focused on startups, in addition to career exploration sessions targeting high school and university students.

The camp’s activities are held across multiple locations, including the Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) and Qatar University. It aims to develop entrepreneurial and innovative thinking among youth, provide an interactive and educational environment for shaping ideas and entrepreneurial projects, enhance leadership and teamwork skills, and promote effective communication and critical thinking. It also offers valuable networking opportunities with entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

Director of Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, Fawaz Abdullah Al Musaifri, stated: “At the Ministry of Sports and Youth, we place great importance on empowering young people and enhancing their skills. The organization of the 2025 Summer Innovation Camp falls within the Ministry’s strategic plan to build a creative and entrepreneurial generation capable of actively contributing to the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and implementing the National Youth Policy.

"This camp is part of the Ministry’s broader summer camp program, implemented across all affiliated youth centers and institutions, aimed at providing interactive learning environments that strengthen youth capabilities and support their future aspirations. The Summer Innovation Camp embodies this vision by creating a supportive environment that encourages creativity, entrepreneurship, and teamwork, while offering real opportunities for learning and connecting with experts and business leaders,” he added.

Ali Boushrebak Al Mansouri, Acting General Manager of Qatar Chamber, affirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and empowering Qatari youth. He emphasized that the Chamber’s support for this camp stems from its firm belief in the importance of developing the capabilities of the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.

“This camp represents a comprehensive national platform that combines practical knowledge with real-world experience, helping to build an entrepreneurial mindset among school and university students in Qatar,” he said.

Dr. Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, Head of Entrepreneurship at Qatar Development Bank, said: "Empowering Qatari youth in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship is not just a trend, but a cornerstone of Qatar Development Bank's strategy. Our participation in the Summer Innovation Camp 2025 reflects our practical commitment to providing a stimulating environment that encourages young people to think seriously and provides them with the tools and methodologies to transform their ideas into viable, scalable projects." He added, "We not only support initiatives, but we are also betting on Qatari minds to build a more diversified and sustainable economic future."

Dr. Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Head of Entrepreneurship at Qatar Development Bank, emphasized that empowering Qatari youth in innovation and entrepreneurship is not merely a trend but a cornerstone of the bank’s strategic vision.

He noted that QDB’s participation in the Summer Innovation Camp reflects its concrete commitment to creating a stimulating environment that encourages young people to think critically and equips them with the tools and methodologies needed to transform their ideas into viable, scalable projects. 

For his part, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Institutional Excellence at Qatar University, Dr. Khalid Al Hashmi, said: "We are proud to be part of this national program. Qatar University is a key partner in enhancing students’ skills and providing a hands-on educational environment that fosters entrepreneurial thinking and innovation within the academic community."

Hamad Mubarak Al Hajri, Founder and CEO of Snoonu, stated: “At Snoonu, we believe that building a sustainable digital economy is not only about developing technologies or offering smart services — it starts with empowering people, especially our youth, who represent the true future of our nation. From this perspective, we are pleased to be partners in the 2025 Summer Innovation Camp, which serves as a model for bridging education with real-world application and for promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among students.”

Abdulrahman Al Emadi, Director of Administrative Affairs at the Young Entrepreneurs Club, said: "The Innovation Camp is a product of the Club’s vision to create new pathways for youth toward entrepreneurship and innovation."

Ramzan Al Nuaimi, CEO of Innovation Streams, stated: "Innovation starts with investing in young minds. Our partnership with the Summer Innovation Camp is a continuation of our efforts to promote a culture of technological creativity and entrepreneurship."

Saad A. Al Kharji, Executive Director of Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), commented: "At QCDC, we believe that empowering youth begins by providing them with meaningful, hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between education and the real world. Our participation aims to equip participants with practical skills, an innovative mindset, and a strong sense of responsibility toward shaping Qatar’s future by building a diversified, knowledge-based economy aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030."

Mariam Fareed, CEO of TYC Youth Company, said: “At TYC, we believe in connecting youth with real-world opportunities that strengthen their skills and guide them toward a thriving entrepreneurial future. Our participation in the YXS Career Fair reflects our commitment to empowering the next generation and supporting their journey toward creative and socially responsible career paths.”

Eman Al Obaidly, Executive Director of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Ambassadors, concluded by saying: “Investing in the minds of youth is an investment in a sustainable future. We believe that social innovation and entrepreneurship are powerful tools to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Innovation Camp is an ideal platform to realize this vision. We take pride in our strategic partnerships with national institutions and supporters who share our belief in the youth’s ability to drive change. We are always striving to expand our impact in alignment with Qatar’s vision for comprehensive and sustainable development.” (QNA)