“I simply felt that my place is in Qatar,” says tech leader at QF

Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid, Executive Director of Qatar Computing Research Institute, explains how a phone call reshaped his career path

There was a time when Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid never expected to leave the US. It was where he had moved as an 18-year-old, having obtained a scholarship that allowed him to embark on his academic and scientific journey. And it was proving successful for him.

Then a phone call from Qatar Foundation led to his path changing – a phone call that, once it ended, left a lasting impact on him: "I simply felt that my place is in Qatar”.

The call was inviting Dr. Elmagarmid – who, for the past 13 years, has been Executive Director at Qatar Foundation (QF) member Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) – to come to Qatar and contribute to the research infrastructure and culture that QF was building for the nation and the Arab world. “It was a crucial moment for me,” he recalls.

“When I arrived at Qatar, I knew this was where I belonged. I had been told of QF’s vision to restore the Islamic tradition of sciences, and this resonated deeply with me.”

The goal was to attract Arab minds back to the region, and the years that followed saw the establishment of QCRI. “QF's supportive environment motivated me to establish QCRI, which enables researchers and scientists to innovate and work with freedom and enhances their ability to compete at the global level,” Dr. Elmagarmid said.

"We have worked persistently to publish our research through prestigious conferences and journals, resulting in about 260 international patents. And we have established eight local and international companies.”

QCRI's impact – spanning fields including Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, Arabic language technologies, and information technology development – extends far beyond research, and is interwoven into the development of Qatar. As Dr. Elmagarmid explains: “Systems developed by QCRI are integrated into various aspects of Qatar, underscoring the institute's role in building the nation's technological infrastructure.

“Our work in the field of Arabic language technologies reflects how QF has contributed greatly to the development of the Arabic language, which has cultural and emotional dimensions for us. QCRI has also made important contributions in the field of databases, information, and Artificial Intelligence, as well as in information security, including the establishment of Qatar’s National Cyber Security Research Lab.

“We also focus on ethics in the field of Artificial Intelligence and ensuring that governance in this field is based on cultural foundations.”

The work of QCRI also focused on training and education, QCRI seeks to attract and train new graduates, as well as conducting training programs for children, to enhance their interest in technology and computing.

Dr. Elmagarmid's roots in computing science trace back to the 1970s, when computers were simply a promising innovation. Despite the novelty of the concept, he had no hesitation into delving into a field delved that was rare and groundbreaking. "I loved programming because it combines science and art, and gives innovation the opportunity to finding solutions,” he said.

It ultimately led him to settle and work in Qatar, and when asked why he made the decision to make his career and life in the country, Dr. Elmagarmid responds: "Why not Qatar?

"Since 2006, QCRI, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and QF, have made remarkable progress in the field of research and education. Institutions such as these drive research, development, and innovation, inspiring a bright scientific future."

It has been – and continues to be – a journey driven by passion, innovation, and a commitment to supporting Qatar's progress on the global stage. And it is a journey he would like to see made by other young Arab graduates who want to forge their careers in science, telling them: "Follow your passion, excel in your field – and stay connected to your roots."