Qatar University (QU) has successfully concluded its first Health Tech Hackathon 2024, themed “Innovating Health, Empowering Tomorrow.” The event, which took place over three days at the Itqan Clinical Simulation and Innovation Center under Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), brought together innovators, students, and professionals from various fields—including healthcare, engineering, and business—to create innovative solutions for Qatar’s pressing healthcare challenges.
The hackathon focused on four key areas: telemedicine and remote monitoring, genomics and precision medicine, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and public health and mental wellness. It featured hands-on training sessions, workshops, and discussion panels, offering participants the perfect setting to exchange ideas and develop projects that tackle Qatar’s urgent healthcare needs.
The event culminated in a closing ceremony where prizes were awarded to the winning teams, and exceptional projects contributing to healthcare advancement through innovation were recognized.
In her remarks at the closing ceremony, Prof. Asma Al-Thani, Vice President for Health and Medical Sciences and Director of the Biomedical Research Center at QU, highlighted how the Health Tech Hackathon 2024 brought together young talent and expertise to address healthcare challenges. She emphasized that the event was not just a competition but a platform for collaboration, intellectual exchange, and bridging science with creativity and practical application. “Everyone here is a winner, as each idea and step taken contributes to a brighter healthcare future in Qatar,” she said.
Prof. Feras Qasem Alali, Associate Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies at QU, described the hackathon as a groundbreaking opportunity for students, healthcare professionals, and innovators to collaborate on transformative solutions for critical healthcare issues. He noted that the event reflected QU Health’s commitment to fostering innovation and driving meaningful change in healthcare, both in Qatar and beyond.
Dr. Kholoud Abdulla, chairperson of the hackathon, emphasized that the event was more than just about solving healthcare challenges. “It’s about equipping the next generation of innovators to shape the future of healthcare,” she said, highlighting the importance of bringing together diverse talents to foster transformative ideas that will enhance patient outcomes, advance healthcare technology, and improve overall healthcare quality.
Dr. Faleh Tamimi, Chair of the QU Health Innovation Committee, concluded by stating that building Qatar’s knowledge-based economy depends on developing technology-driven ideas, underscoring the importance of events like this. He pointed out that the most successful healthcare technological advancements come from interdisciplinary teams that blend clinical expertise with the technical skills necessary to address healthcare challenges, a goal the hackathon aims to achieve.
