QU receives Academic AI and Research Excellence Award at Google Cloud Summit 2026

Doha, Qatar - Qatar University (QU) was honored with the Academic AI and Research Excellence Award at the Google Cloud Summit 2026, lauding the institution's efforts in promoting artificial intelligence adoption in research, education, and operations. QU President Dr. Omar Al-Ansari expressed gratitude, stating that the award underscores the university's commitment to translating AI advancements into practical benefits within its academic, research, and institutional spheres.

He highlighted the partnership with Google Cloud, which aims to bolster available tools, expand researchers' capabilities, and foster an environment conducive to developing solutions aligned with Qatar's future needs.

As part of this collaboration, QU is integrating Gemini Enterprise to offer generative AI tools tailored for faculty, staff, and students. These tools support academic and administrative tasks, research endeavors, and productivity enhancements. Additionally, the Spark AI Innovation Hub provides cutting-edge computing resources and capabilities, enabling researchers to design, test, and apply AI models in impactful research domains.

Ghassan Kosta, Google Cloud's Regional General Manager for Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Iraq, praised QU for setting a regional benchmark by merging enterprise productivity with specialized research excellence. Kosta emphasized that by leveraging Gemini Enterprise for operational efficiency and Spark AI for scientific inquiry, QU is driving measurable advancements in academia while reinforcing Qatar's status as a global innovation leader.

During the Summit, Prof. Aiman Erbad, Vice President for Research and Innovation at QU, engaged in a panel discussion titled 'Architecting the Future: How Qatar's Leaders are Scaling Data & AI.' The panel featured technology and business leaders exploring strategies for building scalable AI foundations securely and effectively. Prof. Erbad shared QU's experience in establishing the necessary infrastructure, research environment, and institutional frameworks to transition AI from experimental phases to practical applications.

Associate Vice President for Technology and Information Security, Dr. Nayef Al-Yafei, demonstrated Gemini Enterprise's application, offering attendees a firsthand view of generative AI integration into the university's digital ecosystem.