SMARTER AND BETTER
Shoura is using a tried and tested approach to accelerate digital transformation in all sectors and achieve the vision of a smart Qatar.
BIOGRAPHY
Najat AbdulRaheem is the founder and CEO of Shoura Business Group. She has more than 15 years of experience in strategy, innovation, business development, customer experience, and ICT. Previously, she was the contact center director and the director of business development at Ooredoo, a telecom company. She holds a bachelor's in computer science from Qatar University and a master's degree in IT from Long Island University. She also studied several leadership and innovation building programs at some of the most renowned business schools in the world, including Harvard Business School, HEC-Paris, and MIT.
What encouraged you to focus on the health sector?
Providing sustainable healthcare with better outcomes and cost-effectiveness is one of the key objectives of Qatar's national vision. The healthcare sector is fragmented, and it demands more innovation and digital health solutions like a central patient health record, virtual consultation, and telehealth. Although the Ministry of Public Health has been doing a great job in implementing the national health strategy, there are a number of challenges that we need to overcome to improve the quality of healthcare while maintaining costs. This can best be done through innovation and PPPs. This is what led us to establish Shoura, which is today known as a fast-growing company that provides technological solutions and consultation services. It is powered by an international network of partners that aim to accelerate the digital transformation in Qatar. An increasing number of corporates have realized the values and uniqueness we bring to the table. For example, we were the key partner of various consortiums bidding for TASMU initiatives launched by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
Are you focusing only on healthcare, or are you working in other sectors as well?
We serve other sectors and are not only limited to healthcare. Shoura is a master reseller of Governance, Performance, Risk, and Compliance (GPRC), the leading software for businesses. It enables organizations to implement corporate governance, continually improve their business performance, manage risk, and stay on top of compliance. It offers an easy way for organizations to address a specific performance need or take a holistic approach looking at a broad spectrum of solutions, including performance management, project and portfolio management, employee performance management, KPIs, dashboards, and analytics. In 2018, we won three projects for Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Qatar University, and Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. At Shoura, we either source the right solution from international markets or develop it internally. Notably, Shoura is the sole owner of Smart Communication and Analytics Learning Engine (SCALE), which bridges the gap between interactive voice response (IVR) technology and electronic medical records using HL7 protocol to help reduce the cost of patient care and provide significant insight into business performance.
What opportunities do you foresee in the coming years within the health sector, and what are the gaps?
There are many opportunities that have not yet been tapped, such as data analytics, IoT, VR, and telemedicine. We want to bring healthcare services to patients for non-critical cases. Healthcare providers need to change their standards, regulations, and processes to speed up the adoption of technological innovations and scale them.
What is your assessment of Qatar's potential as a technological hub?
Over the last 10 years, Qatar has established many entities to support technology, innovation, and incubation to develop and commercialize local tech-based products and services. Qatar also attracted multinational companies to participate in various tenders and projects and collaborate with local technology companies. For example, Qatar Smart Nation program is developing Qatar's ICT infrastructure to transform the country. We work on major strategies and projects with key stakeholders in Qatar to understand local challenges. We bring innovative thinking and a fresh approach that has been tested and validated in other similar markets. Our strategic partners and international experts are also our key competitive advantages.
What main outcomes do you expect from QITCOM 2019?
QITCOM 2019 has started to bring in SMEs like us and link them to big corporates. In 2018, we were talking about digital transformation, and now we have new digital trends. We are no longer talking about mobile apps but IoT, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and smart cities. Therefore, we have to change the mindset. There are companies coming in with different solutions, initiatives, and out-of-the-box thinking. I believe QITCOM is not only a place for showcasing solutions but most importantly, it is a platform for bringing all the stakeholders together in order to accelerate digital transformation in all sectors and achieve the vision of a smart Qatar.
SMARTER AND BETTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
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Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
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Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
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Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
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Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
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Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
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Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
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Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
read articleFocus
A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
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Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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