QRDI Council, Innovate UK KTN Sign MoU

Doha, April 11 (QNA) - Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Innovate UK KTN in a new collaboration that will create connections between Qatari and UK innovators. Secretary-General of the QRDI Council Eng. Omar Ali Al-Ansari, and Executive Director at Innovate UK KTN Jon Kingsbury, signed the MoU, which serves as a link between innovators, partners and innovation opportunities in the UK and around the world. The MoU will allow Qatar and the UK to collaborate on projects that advance innovation in Qatar. This will be affected through knowledge transfer and sharing best practices, leveraging Innovate UK KTNs extensive networks to foster collaboration and connecting innovation opportunities in Qatar with innovative businesses in the UK. QRDI Council and Innovate UK KTN will work together to create linkages across the Qatari and UK innovation ecosystems. The partnership will share insights into how best to harness and transfer knowledge from across sectors, foster collaboration across academia, business, government, science and technology partners, as well as other innovation players. The partnership adds value to both QRDI Council and Innovate UK KTN and their respective stakeholders, through convening networks, sharing knowledge and demonstrating how innovation strategies can be applied and accelerated to meet the needs of tomorrow. Through this partnership, QRDI Council and Innovate UK KTN will bring together diverse stakeholders, foster an innovation focused environment that attracts cutting edge talent and technologies, and help diversify Qatar’s economy. Secretary-General of the QRDI Council Eng. Omar Ali Al-Ansari said: "At QRDI Council we work closely with the private sector, government bodies and knowledge institutes to identify opportunities and encourage connections with innovators in order to drive the next wave of private sector innovation. We are very pleased to partner with Innovate UK KTN, which connects innovators with partners and opportunities in the UK and around the world, driving creativity and fast-tracking the realization of brilliant ideas into game-changing products. Through this collaboration, we aim to facilitate the sharing of skills, knowledge and talent on a global level, growing Qatars capabilities within innovation and furthering our national RDI strategy QRDI 2030 as we help turn ideas into reality." Executive Director at Innovate UK KTN Jon Kingsbury added: "We are delighted to be working with the QRDI Council. Through this MoU, Innovate UK KTN will have the opportunity to expand its networks and projects for the mutual benefit of UK and Qatar research, business and innovation. Our focus in this relationship will be to connect for positive change." HE UK Ambassador to the State of Qatar Jonathan Paul Wilks stated: "I am delighted that the Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council and the Innovate UK KTN have reached this strategic agreement. QRDI and Innovate UK KTN are natural partners. The UK is recognized as a world leader when it comes to research and innovation, and that expertise is built on an open and collaborative approach to international research and information exchange. Given the vast reach of Innovate UK KTN, this partnership will build wider Qatar/UK collaboration around science and technology and ultimately help stimulate coordinated action across government, industry and academia in both countries." (QNA)