Inaugural ‘Ibtechar Majlis’ explores Public Innovation Labs in the public sector
At the inaugural edition of ‘Ibtechar Majlis’, the CEO of Ibtechar, Nayef al-Ibrahim, advocated the establishment of a multi-layered Public Innovation Lab ecosystem for the benefit of the country’s public sector.
Organized by Ibtechar on October 8 at the Sharq Village & Spa in Qatar, the inaugural ‘Ibtechar Majlis’ explored practical approaches and global best practices across two domains: government and public innovation.
The event gathered senior government representatives, academia, and innovation experts to explore the development of a Public Innovation Lab ecosystem that would help to further improve efficiency, service delivery, and encourage greater citizen participation.
The discussions were grounded on a recent white paper from Ibtechar, titled ‘Imagining a Public Innovation Lab for Qatar’, which outlines how a two-pronged approach can help Qatar enhance its innovation competitiveness. At the central government level, a Public Innovation Lab can accelerate cross-government priorities, while at the ministry-level, more specific labs can build capacity and deliver tangible solutions within sectors.
“Qatar has an advantage as a small country. Having a hybrid model of a Public Innovation Lab, with a centralised and decentralised aspect, brings significant value to a state of its size,” said Al-Ibrahim at the event,
Al-Ibrahim moderated the discussion of the panel, which comprised Eman al-Kuwari, director of Digital Innovation at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT); Georgios Dimitropoulos, professor and associate dean for Research at the College of Law, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU); Hissa al-Tamimi, director of Governmental Innovation Department at the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB); and Nejoud M al-Jehani, executive director of Strategy & Programmes at the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council.
The panellists shared how their respective organisations are shaping Qatar’s innovation landscape. They also highlighted Qatar’s strong regulatory framework, citing examples, such as the cryptocurrency ban and the early adoption of an AI strategy, as evidence of the country’s active role in fostering innovation and its impact on economic development.
On a separate topic, Al-Ibrahim also called for the introduction of a ‘National Innovation Day’ – which he described as a day when the public sector, private sector, communities, students, and professionals unite to celebrate innovation.
“We have witnessed the impact of National Sports Day over the years; imagine what we could achieve in five to seven years if we came together annually to celebrate innovation, encourage experimentation, and share knowledge. Innovation requires persistence; it is a long-term journey, and achieving a true cultural shift takes time. That is why we need a Qatar National Innovation Day.”
