The MenaML Winter School, co-hosted by QCRI and MenaML, gathered 141 students and professionals to develop essential AI skills through lectures, hands-on sessions, and networking opportunities. Participants explored various AI applications and received mentorship while engaging with leading industry experts, ultimately aiming to cultivate local talent and support Qatar’s knowledge economy.
The 2025 Middle East and North Africa Machine Learning (MenaML) Winter School was co-hosted by Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) and MenaML, bringing together 141 participants from various universities and industries for a six-day program focused on developing essential skills in artificial intelligence (AI).
The Winter School encompassed a comprehensive curriculum that included in-depth lectures, hands-on sessions, and panel discussions covering significant topics such as large language models, generative AI, deep learning, and career opportunities within the Arab region. Additionally, it examined AI applications in various domains including education, health, genomics, and biology, aligning with Qatar’s national objective to innovate these sectors.
Expert-led sessions featured distinguished professionals from organizations such as QCRI, Google DeepMind, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, and InstaDeep, who shared their knowledge, thus enriching Qatar’s emerging knowledge hub in AI and computer science.
Dr. Ahmed K Elmagarmid, Executive Director of QCRI, expressed the initiative’s success, emphasizing collaboration with Google DeepMind to cultivate AI talent in Qatar and support the national research agenda that fosters a knowledge-based economy.
The program also provided participants with professional growth opportunities, including mentorship sessions and networking events, culminating in a poster session for students to present their research to industry experts and peers.
MenaML received support from esteemed global companies such as Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Dell, and Apple, many of whom interacted with attendees through booths and mentorship opportunities. The event aimed to build a community of AI practitioners and stimulate local talent development in the MENA region, facilitating valuable exchanges of knowledge and potential research collaborations.
The MenaML Winter School successfully gathered a diverse group of participants to enhance their understanding and skills in artificial intelligence. This initiative not only focused on education and practical applications but also facilitated professional networking, mentorship, and collaboration among students and industry leaders. By fostering local talent and addressing national research priorities, the Winter School significantly contributes to Qatar’s knowledge-based economy and the development of future AI leaders in the MENA region.
Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
