Doha: The Government Communications Office (GCO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Snap Inc. to launch the first Augmented Reality Academy in the MENA region, during Web Summit Qatar 2025, which runs until February 26 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).
According to Qatar News Agency, the Academy builds on the GCO’s commitment to upskilling local media and communications talent, with a focus on the digital and creative content industry, in line with the Third National Development Strategy. Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani, Director of the GCO and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Snap. He emphasized the initiative’s role in providing opportunities for youth, businesses, and content creators, equipping the next generation of creators with essential digital tools and skills.
HE Sheikh Jassim highlighted that the academy represents a significant investment in talent development, digital education, and the creative economy. It aims to deliver specialized training programs to help participants leverage augmented reality innovations. This initiative aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and seeks to transform Qatar into a regional hub for digital excellence and economic sustainability. Hussein Freijeh, Vice President and General Manager of Snap Inc. MENA, noted that the partnership with Qatar and the GCO started two years ago, and the current agreement will further enhance the developer community both within Qatar and globally.
The Academy will offer a range of opportunities, programs, and digital tools to enable creators and developers in Qatar to explore augmented reality and create interactive experiences. Augmented reality technology is crucial for enhancing visual communication, user interactions, and supporting various sectors such as health, education, industrial processes, marketing, and sales.
Snap Inc., known for its augmented reality technologies, has more than 300 million people using its technology on Snapchat, with over 85 percent of daily users in the MENA region engaging with Snap lenses. This MoU further strengthens the GCO’s partnership with Snap Inc., building on strategic collaborations with other global digital platforms, including Google, TikTok, Amazon Ads, and iHeartMedia. These partnerships aim to bolster the digital ecosystem and creator industry in Qatar, reinforcing its position as a regional technology and innovation leader, in accordance with its National Vision 2030.