Qatar University (QU) received the Academic AI and Research Excellence Award at the Google Cloud Summit 2026, recognizing the University’s work in advancing the adoption of artificial intelligence across research, education and institutional operations.

“This recognition reflects Qatar University's commitment to translating advances in artificial intelligence into meaningful impact across our academic, research and institutional environment," said Dr. Omar Al-Ansari, President of Qatar University. "Our collaboration with Google Cloud is helping us strengthen the tools available to our people, expand the capabilities of our researchers and build the environment needed to develop knowledge-based solutions to national priorities. This is ultimately about ensuring Qatar University continues to build the knowledge and capabilities that Qatar's future requires.”

As part of this collaboration, the University is adopting Gemini Enterprise to provide faculty, staff and students with generative AI tools that meet institutional requirements, supporting academic and administrative tasks, research and productivity. In parallel, the Spark AI Innovation Hub provides specialized computing infrastructure and advanced capabilities that enable researchers to develop, test and apply AI models in high-impact research areas.

"Qatar University is setting a definitive regional benchmark by coupling enterprise productivity with specialized research excellence," said Ghassan Kosta, Regional General Manager for Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Iraq at Google Cloud. "By leveraging Gemini Enterprise to optimize institutional operations and Spark AI to catalyze advanced scientific inquiry, QU is unlocking measurable business impact across academia and reinforcing Qatar’s position as a global leader in innovation."

As part of the Summit, Prof. Aiman Erbad, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Qatar University, participated in the panel discussion, “Architecting the Future: How Qatar’s Leaders are Scaling Data & AI.” The session brought together technology and business leaders to discuss how organizations can build the foundations needed to scale AI securely and effectively. Prof. Erbad shared QU's experience in building the infrastructure, research environment and institutional foundations needed to move AI from experimentation toward practical application at scale.

QU also showcased its experience in adopting Gemini Enterprise, with Dr. Nayef Al-Yafei, Associate Vice President for Technology and Information Security, delivering a demonstration during the Summit. The demonstration gave attendees a practical look at how the platform is being used and how generative AI capabilities are being integrated into the University’s digital environment.

Through education, research and innovation, Qatar University continues to develop future-ready talent and advance a knowledge-based economy, supporting the human and economic development goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.