Ooredoo, a leading international communications company in Qatar, has joined hands with renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab to drive cutting-edge ICT innovation and research in the region.

Since 1985, the MIT Media Lab has pioneered unconventional research in the ICT sector to radically improve people's daily lives. Ooredoo joins the MIT Media Lab as a consortium lab member.

Dr Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo, said: "ICT is rapidly converging, and our customers in emerging markets are quickly adopting mobile devices and integrating ICT into every aspect of their daily lives. By joining the MIT Media Lab, we will be able to leverage innovative research from one of the world's leading institutes to deliver disruptive innovations and new life-enhancing products and services to our customers."

"In addition, Ooredoo is committed to work with the MIT Media Lab in facilitating and supporting the development of a larger innovation ecosystem in Mena and Southeast Asia," he noted.

Through its work with the research laboratory, Ooredoo will look to amplify innovative thinking developed in the MIT Media Lab, engage with researchers, and access member events to view new MIT research. It will also increase its efforts to share intellectual property rights on technology developed through the collaboration.

Joi Ito, the director of the MIT Media Lab, said: "We welcome Ooredoo as a member of the MIT Media Lab and look forward to collaborating on innovative technologies that have the potential to impact millions of people around the world."

Ooredoo is a consistent supporter of innovation across its footprint in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.

In recent years, the company has supported initiatives to develop a new generation of solar-powered compact base stations, launched a wide range of mobile value-added services such as mobile money and mobile health, and enabled entrepreneurs and new start-ups through its ICT-related incubation programmes.

The MIT Media Lab counts more than 70 global members across the fields of electronics, entertainment, health, and telecommunications. Faculty, research staff, and students work across 25 research groups on more than 350 projects including innovative digital interfaces, holographic TV, robotics, femto-photography, and innovative modes of transportation for sustainable cities.-TradeArabia News Service