DOHA: Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCU-Q) recently launched its Graduate Incubator – the first industry sponsored design incubator in Qatar.
The Incubator is part of VCUQatar’s Young Entrepreneur Series and fosters collaboration between VCU-Q and Qatar’s leading businesses to build an entrepreneurial sector delivering real-world design challenges within a world-class educational environment.
Housed at the Centre for Research, Design and Entrepreneurship, the Incubator is sponsored by companies that commission design services and wish to help build local design capacity and seek to support education, often through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
“Our aim is to build a culture around entrepreneurship,” explains Roger Griffiths, Director of Entrepreneurship at VCU-Q. “The Graduate Incubator will bring local businesses and aspiring young designers together to produce exceptional creative work and help the graduates to develop the skills they need to eventually establish their own businesses in design.”
One such industry partner is Maersk Oil Qatar. In the first agreement under the initiative, Maersk has provided 12-month sponsorships to graphic design graduates Haneen Al Sharif and Lama Abu Dheays.
The graduates will work on a variety of projects under Maersk’s CSR programme, which aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030. Faisal Al Medaihki, Associate Communication Manager at Maersk Oil Qatar, said that the company is committed to supporting opportunities in which talent and skills can be built locally.
The Incubator provides a dedicated space for students and alumni to support and mentor their entrepreneurial ambitions. During their sponsorship, exceptional design graduates receive mentorship, business planning guidance and technical training.
Sponsors provide real world design projects and a starting salary for the graduates who undergo a rigorous selection process to join the incubator.
The Peninsula
