Global collaboration as a source for competitive advantage was the hot topic being discussed at the recent Qatar Science & Technology Park TECHtalks (QSTP) held in Qatar.

Industry experts, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak discussed the benefits of forming industry-university partnerships as the new business model for success, said an official spokesman.

The conference entitled ‘Partnership Strategies for Corporate R&D’ addressed best practices in collaborative research, with experts sharing their practical experiences of how to create successful partnerships and how to best leverage innovation in the marketplace.

Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) is currently at the forefront of industry-university collaboration within Qatar. Situated in Qatar Foundation’s Education City, together with campuses of several leading universities, it seeks to attract companies and entrepreneurs from around the world to develop and commercialise their technology in Qatar.

“QSTP is the ideal arrangement, bringing together the minds of leading universities together with industry organisations,” said adding that QSTP is a great move for Qatar.

Also speaking at the conference, Harvard Business School Associate professor Alan MacCormick drew on the opportunities being provided at QSTP for businesses both in Qatar and globally.

“You can’t hire all the best people, but you can have access to them in collaboration,” said professor MacCormick.
 
This was a view shared by keynote speaker, QSTP chairman Dr Tidu Maini who explained: “No one has the resources to solve all the problems. You must collaborate and bring together different disciplines.” – TradeArabia News Service