Arab mobile applications developers awarded in Doha
Doha: The QU Wireless Innovations Center (QUWIC) at the Qatar Science & Technology Park concluded its first annual Mobile Application Development Contest. The 6 final winners were announced during the awarding ceremony which took place in the Diplomatc Club in Doha on Monday 7, 2011.
The contest which was launched earlier in October 2010, covers multiple phone platforms and targets the following application areas of interest: healthcare, media, education, environment, sports and financial services. The contest comes as an initiative of QUWIC with the support of co-sponsors, the Qtel Group and Al Jazeera Network.
The ceremony was attended by the organizing team from QUWC, together with representatives from the sponsors and distinguished guests. The guest of honor for the event was Dr. Sheikha Al Misned, President of Qatar University.
Dr. Adnan Abu-Dayya, Executive Director, QUWIC gave an introductory presentation on the contest, highlighting the objectives and the vision behind it as well as some of the important statistics and figures.
Dr Abu-Dayya spoke on the Mobile apps market which based on industry analyst reports is expected to triple from about $5.2B in 2010 to $15B in 2011, and grow to $58B in 2014, whereas total number of downloads is expected to rise from 8.2B downloads in 2010 to 17.8B in 2011
"We have launched the contest to encourage development of regionally relevant mobile apps, identify and support Arab talent, and help develop and commercialize promising apps" said Dr. Abu-Dayya, Executive Director, QUWIC. "mobile applications development is a major area of interest for QUWIC and this contest is an important step towards building a regional eco-system for Arab mobile apps sector" he added.
Following Dr. Adnan's presentation, the audience watched short films prepared by the 6 finalists presenting their applications' functionality and features. Following that, the winners were announced and Dr. Adnan together with Mr. Abdullah Al Talib, Chairman of the joint management committee for QUWIC handed over the prizes to winners as follows:
1. The third place on the Android platform is : Akrab ATM (cash prize of $ 1000)
2. The third place on the Iphone platform is : Ajenda Tebeya (cash prize of $ 1000)
3. The second place on the Android platform is : Group Connector( cash prize of $ 2500)
4. The second place on the Iphone platform is : Al Athir (cash prize of $ 2500)
5. The first place on the Iphone platform and overall winner is: Kalimat wa Hourouf (cash prize of $ 10000)
6. The first place on the Android platform is : Dinar (cash prize of $ 5000)
All applications were evaluated through several stages according to certain criteria, and QUWIC will explore opportunities and provide technical and business support for commercial development and market deployment of the winning applications through different channels and in collaboration with its partners.
QUWIC is already active in developing Mobile Applications that utilize emerging wireless technologies and products to create regionally relevant applications in a number of key areas of interest to the Arab World.
"The reaction to the contest was strong and an evidence of the importance of this vital emerging sector in the Arab region. We are so proud to see Arab developers gathered in Doha for a competition of innovation and creativity. This is another evidence of the increasing role for Qatar as a regional hub for research & development in the wireless industry" concluded Dr. Abu-Dayya.
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About QUWIC
QUWIC is an applied research and development center founded in Qatar by Qatar University in Collaboration with and at the Qatar Science &Technology Park to leverage the use of emerging wireless technologies in creating solutions and smart applications for use in a number of markets including Transportation, Utilities, Healthcare, and Environment.
QUWIC was founded with the objective of filling the existing gap in the region for institutions focusing on applied research and solutions delivery.
QUWIC has strategic objectives in the areas of local capacity building, innovation leadership, and in becoming a virtual R&D center for local and regional partners.
For further information please contact
Aziz Louksah
+974 55736001
aziz@tugboatbranding.net
info@quwic.com
© Press Release 2011
