Representational file photo
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has concluded the first international quantum-themed hackathon in Qatar, titled ‘The BIG Quantum Hackathon Qatar 2025.’ The event, held from November 15 to 18 brought together global talent for an intensive four-day innovation challenge aimed at advancing practical applications in quantum technologies.
The Ministry announced the winning teams yesterday, recognising the most innovative and impactful quantum solutions. The top teams were celebrated for their creative approaches to solving real-world national use cases, demonstrating the potential of quantum technologies to address complex challenges across sectors. Several officials including Amna Al Kaabi, Head of Emerging Technologies at MCIT and Capt. Eng. Hazzaa Rashid Ali Al-Ahwal, Director of Frequencies and Secure Communications at the Ministry of Defence took part.
The landmark hackathon attracted 474 applications from 64 countries, out of which only 40 international students and 40 students from Qatar were selected. These 80 participants were divided into eight teams, each tackling one of eight real-world use cases, supported by eight technology providers and stakeholders from across Qatar’s innovation ecosystem.
According to Dr. Elvira Shishenina, Co-Founder and President of QuantX, the hackathon was designed to address real national challenges using quantum-enabled solutions.
“We reached out to representatives of the main stakeholders in the country and asked them what challenges they face,” she explained.
“We gathered a number of practical problems and thought, let’s find a quality solution for them. The challenge was simple: give the students 24 hours to come up with an initiative and create new solutions.”
Shishenina emphasised that the hackathon was the result of more than a year of preparation.
“When we announced the hackathon, we received over 400 applications from 64 countries, but we could only admit 40 international students, along with 40 from Qatar. We created 80 spaces, distributed them into eight teams, and assigned coordinators and stakeholders to each one as they worked through the eight use cases,” she added.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Saif Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Associate Professor at HBKU, praised the participants for their creativity and collaborative spirit.
“Each of you has contributed to building a bridge between research and application, between technical excellence and business relevance,” he said.
“The ideas developed here reflect the momentum of Qatar’s innovation ecosystem. You have shown what can be achieved when diverse minds come together with purpose and passion. We hope to see your work continue beyond this event, and perhaps one day become future investment opportunities.”
Harold Haddad, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG, highlighted the rapid evolution of quantum technology and the importance of building a supportive ecosystem. “Quantum computing is no longer a discovery; it is in the engineering phase, and we have a bright future ahead,” he said.
Haddad also commended the diversity of technologies and organisations represented.
He added, “Each technology has its place and its niche application. Today, there are no losers. Thank you for your enthusiasm, creativity, and positive energy. We look forward to the next edition.”
The BIG Quantum Hackathon Qatar 2025 marks a significant milestone in the nation’s technological advancement journey, reinforcing Qatar’s aspiration to cultivate a thriving quantum innovation ecosystem powered by global talent, local expertise, and strong institutional partnerships.
