MoTC invites participants to the 2nd Edition of CodeCamp

CodeCamp participants to solve 5 use case challenges this year

The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) has invited startups, computer programmers, software developers, business analysts and graphic designers, from across Qatar and around the globe, to compete in the second edition of CodeCamp, to be held from 27^th – 29^th October 2019.

As part of the CodeCamp event, participants will compete in a hackathon, where they will be challenged to develop smart solutions for five unique use cases from local enterprises. Teams will get 48 hours beginning on 27th October (before the main event) and ending on the first day of Qatar IT Conference and Exhibition (QITCOM 2019) on 29th October 2019. 50 teams will be finally selected to solve one out of the five challenges presented by enterprises. At the end of CodeCamp and during the final pitch, a panel of judges will select five winning teams, for the respective five challenges.

Registering for the hackathon is entirely free of charge and is open only to existing teams of 2 to 4 people and to individuals who will then be able to form teams at the event. Registrations will end on 15^th October 2019. The teams will consist of computer programmers, designers, business analysts and software developers composed of university students, startups, and professional coders to compete in developing software solutions to specific case-based challenges relevant to Qatar.

The subject matter for challenges this year will focus on areas including Sports, Smart Cities, Health Care, Transport, Logistics, Education, Retail, ICT, Environment etc. and covering technology fields such as Advance Analytics, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Social Media / Mobile Solutions, Block Chain, Robotics/Drone, Data Visualization, AR/VR and Mobile APP.

The goal of this challenge is to prototype ideas, products and services that are able to create social and economic value for the community by hacking everyday objects and using open data, open-source libraries, public APIs, frameworks for fast prototyping and software development, microcontrollers, sensors, and other hardware such as 3D printers, beacons and wearables.

The differentiating factor in this year’s QITCOM is that the winners will be incubated under the supervision and support of MOTC to ensure the implementation of the concept with the Use Case owners. Winners will be chosen at the final pitch day on 30^th October, based on the concept, design, development and presentation; and the awards will include mentoring offers, incubation and projects.

Under the theme, ‘Safe Smart Cities’, QITCOM 2019 aims to catalyze the development of safe smart city solutions in Qatar and worldwide. The Entrepreneurship Zone is one of QITCOM’s five constituent zones, and is designed specifically to mentor entrepreneurs, investors and innovators as they exchange knowledge, expand their business ideas and network with other entrepreneurs and investors. The Entrepreneurship Zone consists of five primary activities for novice entrepreneurs, namely Startup Hub, CodeCamp, Make the Deal, IdeaCamp and Innovation Theatre, that work together in developing the most innovative and disruptive technologies.

Her Excellency Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Communication, said ‘At the fifth edition of Qatar IT Conference and Exhibition, we are committed to promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and learning, as they are integral to building a vibrant ICT sector and a knowledge-based economy. There are incredible opportunities for entrepreneurs and SMEs at the Entrepreneurship Zone where startups will be able to transform their innovative ideas into working prototypes. Activities such as CodeCamp provide a platform for entrepreneurs and SMEs to gain practical experience and the knowledge necessary in creating smart technological solutions for Qatar’s smart future.”

She further added, “Following the success of CodeCamp’s first edition where 12 teams were chosen to be incubated by Digital Incubation Centre (DIC), we are incredibly excited to witness the display of this year’s innovative and disruptive technological solutions. CodeCamp is the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs to exercise their skills through training sessions given by global experts and showcase their talent through intense competition. It is the ideal opportunity for startups to present the implementation of their pitches in a practical knowledge-sharing space. We are looking forward to the applications this year which are scheduled to close by 15^th October 2019.”

QITCOM is the largest ICT event in Qatar, and a catalyst in creating a global investor-startup matchmaking network. Through past editions, the event has contributed to achieving Qatar’s National Vision 2030 as a technological showcase for a knowledge-based economy.

About CodeCamp

Organized by the Digital Incubation Center (DIC) and the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) in partnership with QITCOM, CodeCamp was introduced to encourage innovators and entrepreneurs to participate in the development of Qatar’s technological ecosystem. It is a platform for teams of computer programmers, software developers and graphic designers to collaborate in presenting case-based solutions for challenges faced by Qatar. CodeCamp offers entrepreneurs a chance to transform their theoretical ideas into well-developed prototypes that could assist Qatar in its journey towards a smart future.

About Qatar IT Conference and Exhibition (QITCOM 2019)

Under the patronage of His Highness, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Ministry of Transport and Communication will hold the Qatar Information Technology Conference & Exhibition – the largest Information and Communication Technology showcase and event in Qatar – from 29^th October to 1^st November 2019 under the theme “Safe Smart Cities”. Featuring over 90 speakers, 300 technology exhibitors, 100 startups and 300 innovators and entrepreneur, Qatar IT Conference & Exhibition 2019 will be a one-stop-shop for participants to showcase disruptive smart technologies and exchange next-generation knowledge.

About the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC)

In recognition of the significant role of transport and ICT in building a robust and vital economy and in accordance with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, the Ministry of Transport and Communications was established as per Emiri Order No. 1 of 2016.

As per Emiri Decree No. 4 of 2016, the mandates and functions of the Ministry of Transport and Communications are:

• Organizing land and maritime transport businesses;

• Developing and improving transport services, studying their projects, and supervising and following up their implementation in order to achieve the expansion of economic activity and serve the requirements of the national development scale;

• Overseeing and developing the information and communications technology sector to serve the national development requirements;

• Fostering a competitive environment that is conducive to investments;

• Securing and enhancing the efficiency of ICT infrastructure and developing the next generation thereof;

• Raising awareness of the importance of ICT and how to use it safely to improve peoples’ lives, towards building a knowledge community based on digital economy; and

• Implementing and overseeing e-government programs.