QATAR INNOVATION COMMUNITY WELCOMES FIRST NON-QATARI COMPANY

13 July 2018

Published on July 10, 2018

James Russell MD at TechNiche EMEA & Director at Octink

The Qatar Innovation Community (QIC) has invited the first non-Qatari private sector company to join its community and help drive innovation related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™. TechNiche UK will become part of the QIC following their work with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) to develop groundbreaking wearable cooled technology for workers building the stadiums directly related to the 2022 FWC™. Established in March 2017 by the SC, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) and Ooredoo, the QIC brought together a broad range of national stakeholders to accelerate innovation across Qatar, benefitting the 2022 FWC™ and beyond. Through various innovation programmes, the QIC supports Qatar’s knowledge capital, addressing national priorities and enhancing the country’s image and global competitiveness. To date, QIC’s 19 stakeholders have all been Qatar-based, however, Techniche were invited to join because of their collaboration with the SC and existing knowledge of the construction industry, contributing to Qatar’s innovation ecosystem by utilising their research and development capabilities while working closely with local partners. TechNiche engaged with the SC in late 2017 to test a range of cooled wearable technology designed to keep workers comfortable during Qatar’s hotter summer months. Both pilot programmes on Lusail Stadium – which will host the opening ceremony and Final of the 2022 FWC™ – led to the development of bespoke cooling products which will be introduced across SC projects in the coming weeks. James Russell, Managing Director EMEA for TechNiche, said: “To be the first international and private sector company to join such a prestigious group of companies is a great honour for our company. We’re excited to work across the group with a number of legacy projects and innovations. “We understand the responsibility of being invited to join the QIC. The country’s commitment to deliver a successful World Cup, using research, development and innovation to leave a true legacy is something we are extremely proud of. This invitation is an historic opportunity to develop pioneering technology capable of benefitting the wider region.” A spokesperson for QIC said: “TechNiche received this invitation following their pioneering work in relation to workers’ welfare. Their commitment in this area is extremely impressive, as is their track record of using innovation to make a global impact. We welcome their expertise to the community and look forward to collaborating on future projects.” For more information about QIC visit https://www.ooredoo.qa/portal/OoredooQatar/qic For more information on TechNiche please visit https://www.techniche-europe.com/. For more information on the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s commitment to workers’ welfare, please visit https://www.sc.qa/en/opportunities/workers-welfare.

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