UDST and MCIT Launch Second Winter School in AI and Software Engineering

January 2026 program builds on inaugural edition’s success, addressing advanced topics in AI-driven automation, responsible software engineering, and large language models.

The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), will host the Second Winter School in Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering in January 2026. The program builds on the first edition’s outcomes, which attracted scholars, researchers, and students from Qatar and the region.

The inaugural Winter School featured over 15 expert-led sessions, with participant feedback indicating that 94% of attendees rated the program as highly relevant to professional and academic development, while 90% expressed interest in future editions.

Advanced Technical Programming

The upcoming Winter School will provide knowledge exchange through lectures, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions addressing advanced topics in AI and software engineering. Sessions will cover AI-driven industrial automation, responsible AI-driven software engineering, multimodal models, Large Language Models (LLMs) agents, and AI privacy risks and mitigations.

The program is designed to serve multiple participant categories, including students, researchers, and professionals seeking to develop competencies in emerging AI applications and software development practices. The curriculum emphasizes practical application alongside theoretical frameworks.

National Digital Competency Development

Dr. Zakaria Maamar, Dean of the College of Computing and Information Technology at UDST, positioned the initiative within broader institutional objectives:

“The Winter School reflects our commitment to advancing digital skills and fostering innovation in Qatar and the region. By empowering students, researchers, and professionals with the latest competencies and knowledge in AI and software engineering, we are building the foundations for a tech-driven ecosystem that nurtures Qatar’s digital transformation and National Vision 2030.”

Ms. Duha Al-Buhendi, Director of the Digital Society and Digital Competencies Department at MCIT, highlighted the alignment with national strategy:

“The second edition of the Winter School in Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering reflects the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s commitment to strengthening Qatar’s digital competencies. Our priority is to empower national talent with advanced skills and to bridge academic outcomes with the evolving needs of the digital industry, thereby supporting the country’s digital transformation journey and advancing the goals of the Digital Agenda 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.”

The Winter School positions UDST as a venue for applied research and advanced training in digital technologies, reinforcing the university’s role in education, innovation, and professional development. For information about UDST’s academic programs and technology initiatives, details are available at udst.edu.qa.