Interview: Salem Al-Naemi, President, University of Doha for Science and Technology, on the contribution of young entrepreneurs towards a strengthened and diversified economy
How can technical and vocational training institutions address youth employment in Qatar?
AL-NAEMI: Training institutions are crucial in tackling youth unemployment by equipping young people with job-ready, practical skills that match the needs of the current labour market. Many of these programmes are built around applied learning, strong industry engagement and competency-based frameworks, so graduates are prepared to contribute immediately. Qatar’s unemployment rate of 13.1% for youth not in employment, education or training includes those actively seeking work and those not participating in the workforce due to ongoing education or other reasons. These institutions help address structural unemployment by aligning their programmes with national development priorities, such as health care, digital technologies, education and green industries. Alignment is key to ensuring that young Qataris enter the workforce with the right skills in sectors that are shaping the country’s future.
To what extent is the expansion of Qatar’s green economy creating demand for new skill sets in technical education and workforce development?
AL-NAEMI: The growth of the green economy is creating demand for new skill sets, particularly in sustainability, environmental management and clean technology. Technical education is evolving in response, with programmes focusing on areas like renewable energy, waste-to-energy systems and sustainable transport. These fields are central to the country’s environmental strategies and longterm vision. There is also a broader shift towards embedding sustainability principles across every discipline. That approach helps ensure that graduates develop a mindset that supports green practices in whatever field they may enter, which is essential to ensuring the country builds a workforce capable of supporting environmental goals across all sectors.
In what ways is the demand for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) skill sets evolving in Qatar, given digital transformation investment?
AL-NAEMI: The demand for cybersecurity and AI skills has been growing rapidly, driven by digital transformation across sectors like government, finance and infrastructure. There is a strong need for professionals who can secure digital systems, design intelligent solutions and work effectively with complex data environments. At the same time, as AI becomes more integrated into daily operations, there is increasing emphasis on ethics, such as transparency, accountability and understanding the broader social impact of these technologies. There are efforts to update curricula through collaboration between the public and private sectors and to incorporate ethical frameworks directly into technical training. The goal is to develop a workforce that is not only technically skilled but also prepared to build and manage digital systems responsibly.
What role should applied research and innovation play in enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?
AL-NAEMI: Applied research and innovation are critical for helping SMEs improve productivity, adapt to changing market conditions and grow in competitive sectors. This is especially true in fields like logistics, ICT, construction, health services, clean energy and environmental solutions. When research is focused on solving real industry problems, it provides SMEs access to practical tools in digital technologies, prototyping or expert mentorship. Support often comes through collaboration platforms like incubators or innovation labs, which help small firms test new ideas and bring them to market more quickly. Encouraging this kind of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurial thinking is essential in strengthening the SME sector and driving Qatar’s broader economic diversification.
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