The National Museum of Qatar, part of Qatar Museums, has announced that it has signed an MoU with Microsoft to enhance the Museums digital-transformation plans and deliver state-of-the-art smart exhibits. 

 

The agreement will also help foster the development of a dedicated section that will collaborate with Microsoft’s AI digital centre to enhance digital learning experiences for schools and families, using technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

 

Ahmad Musa Al-Namla, CEO of Qatar Museums said: “Enhancing Qatar Museums’ digital technologies has always been a key part of our audience strategy but events over the last eighteen months mean we have accelerated our efforts. New ways of using AI, augmented and virtual reality will ensure Qatar Museums maintains its role in preserving our heritage and culture while providing global audiences with access to see and experience our exhibitions.”

 

Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani, Director of the National Museum of Qatar added: “Our co-innovation project with Microsoft will allow us to accelerate our vision of being an emitting museum, sharing with our audiences a new platform for engagement and learning”. “Next-generation technology like AI can enliven museums for visitors and immerse them in heritage landscapes and collections as never before. Through NMoQ and Microsoft’s partnership we will be able to transcend museum walls, nurture emerging talents in schools and create novel, joint - training opportunities that bridge museums and technology.” 

 

Microsoft specialists will work with the Museums’ stakeholders to determine the Microsoft technologies best suited to its digital transformation needs.

 

“We are proud to partner with the National Museum of Qatar to accelerate their digital transformation towards museums of the future and innovate with the power of Microsoft cloud to create unique immersive experiences for all and anywhere showcasing the pride and great Qatar cultural heritage to the world,” said Lana Khalaf, Country Manager, Microsoft Qatar. “We are keen through this strategic partnership to transform and create through the trusted, intelligent Azure cloud the ideal place for National Museum of Qatar to let its imagination be its guide – to engage visitors, empower employees, optimise operations and reinvent the heritage domain for all Qataris,” Lana added.

 

It is envisioned that National Museum of Qatar aims to move to the trusted, intelligent, versatile Microsoft Cloud, where tools like Minecraft, Paint 3D and Microsoft Teams will be explored for their ability to bring education to life to museum visitors.

 

Workshops will further establish the efficacy and direction of projects such as a Digital Library Solution, as well as the leverage of augmented-reality, virtual-reality, and mixed-reality solutions. Microsoft will also provide widespread digital-skilling sessions for museum employees across Qatar.

 

Microsoft is soon to open a dedicated Azure cloud location in Qatar to serve the digital transformation needs of all Qatari enterprises, regardless of scale or industry. The new locally delivered cloud services will adhere to Microsoft’s trusted cloud principles of security, privacy, compliance and transparency, empowering organisations meet their customers’ needs through the benefits of cloud computing, while still meeting data residency, security and local certification requirements.-- TradeArabia News Service