Siemens, a globally operating technology company, has appointed Peter Tollkuehn as its chief technology officer (CTO) for Middle East operations, and also the head of the Qatar Innovation Center.

In his new role, Tollkuehn will focus on strategic projects which drive economic development through innovation in energy, water, industrial diversification and sustainability, said a statement from Siemens.

Previously head of technology field systems engineering at Siemens Corporate Technology in Munich, he brings 25 years of experience in building successful research and development teams across the world, including in Russia, China and the US.

In his new role, Tollkuehn will expand Siemens’ cooperation with education and research institutes across the region, leveraging the company’s global innovation and R&D network to advance local competences, said the statement.

As head of the Qatar Innovation Center he is responsible for a research facility which develops globally-adopted energy technology, manages regional pilot projects and undertakes software development, automation engineering and data analytics in healthcare, smart grid, water technology and mobility, said a statement.

Additionally, he will continue to expand the activities of the centre in order to contribute to the education and research and development (R&D) ecosystem in Qatar and beyond, it stated.

Dietmar Siersdorfer, CEO, Siemens Middle East and UAE, said: “Increasingly diversified knowledge-based economies require home-grown research, development and innovation to be truly sustainable.”

“Tollkuehn’s global experience in nurturing local talent and fostering innovation culture will be invaluable as we continue to support sustainable economic growth in the Middle East,” he observed.

On his appointment, Tollkuehn said: “The way we live and do business is changing; digitalisation is merging the virtual and physical worlds, and this transformation requires innovative thinking and collaboration with like-minded partners.”
 
“In the Middle East we have developed close partnerships with world-class education and research establishments, and we are committed to leveraging these to drive real local value for a sustainable future in the region,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service