Doha, Qatar – The Ministry of Sports and Youth of Qatar has announced the launch of the inaugural Youth Creativity in Data Award, a competition designed to encourage innovation and data literacy among young people across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Applications are now open to individuals aged 18-34, marking a significant step towards bolstering digital transformation and sustainable development in the region. The award coincides with Gulf Statistics Day and aims to harness the power of data and artificial intelligence for societal benefit.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat), and the National Statistics Center. According to the Ministry, the award is intended to empower Gulf youth and enhance their contributions to data-driven policymaking.
Fostering Data Innovation with the Youth Creativity in Data Award
The Youth Creativity in Data Award is rooted in the strategic work plan of the Committee of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Youth and Sports in the GCC (2024-2030). This plan prioritizes youth empowerment, capability building, and active participation in regional initiatives. The award serves as a practical mechanism for achieving these goals by identifying and nurturing young talent in the field of data science and analytics.
Alignment with Regional Development Goals
Officials emphasize the award’s connection to broader regional objectives. Dr. Mohammed bin Falah Al Rashidi, head of the Human and Environmental Affairs Sector at the GCC General Secretariat, stated that the award represents a forward-thinking approach to linking youth creativity with evidence-based policy. The initiative also supports the use of artificial intelligence to address youth-related issues within the framework of sustainable development.
Additionally, the award aims to cultivate a culture of knowledge-based decision-making throughout the GCC. GCC-Stat Director General Intisar Al Wahaibi highlighted the organization’s commitment to providing participants with access to data, expertise, and support to ensure the award’s success. This includes offering guidance from GCC experts and jurists.
Strengthening Statistical Capacity
The National Statistics Center’s involvement underscores the importance of robust statistical systems in achieving national and regional goals. Ahmed Hassan Al Obaidly, Director-General of the Center, explained that participation aligns with the objectives of the National Statistics and Data Strategy. This strategy focuses on empowering youth to leverage data and AI to develop solutions that enhance national indicators and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. The award is expected to improve the quality of Sustainable Development Goal reporting.
However, the success of the award will depend on attracting a diverse and qualified pool of applicants. The Ministry of Sports and Youth is actively promoting the opportunity through its website and other channels. The initiative also seeks to strengthen partnerships between government entities and statistical institutions, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for data innovation. The use of data visualization tools is expected to be a key component of many submissions.
The Ministry has invited interested youth to review the application terms and conditions and register through the dedicated page on their website. The deadline for submissions is currently unspecified, but the Ministry anticipates announcing it shortly. The selection process and criteria for judging remain to be detailed, and the timeline for announcing winners is also pending. Observers will be watching to see how the award impacts youth engagement with data science and its contribution to regional development initiatives.
The next step involves evaluating the applications received and selecting finalists. The Ministry has not yet announced the specific judging criteria, but it is expected to prioritize innovation, impact, and the effective use of data and AI. Further details regarding the award ceremony and prize distribution will be released in the coming weeks.
