QSTP Supports iHorizons Project for Social Media Content Analytics

Doha, May 27 (QNA) -Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) and iHorizons QSTP, a Qatari company operating at the Park, have signed an agreement for QSTP to support a research and development project for creating technologies in analyzing Arabic social media content, with focus on "Twitter" as a platform for the application of these technologies. Through this partnership, iHorizons will build an advanced system for Arabic social analytics. This area has been selected for the R&D project because of the increasing significance of social networks as well as the projected growth in social media utilization by companies, media and government organizations. Several international companies are developing specialized tools for analyzing the behavioural dynamics on social networks; however iHorizons plans to focus on specific aspects of the Arabic language, norms and communities in the region to get more accurate results when analyzing the opinions and sentiments in social media. Hamad Al-Kuwari, Deputy Managing Director of QSTP, said that "QSTP supports ambitious ideas that contribute to developing innovative technologies with important applications in practice. These initiatives are consistent with the objectives of the National Research Strategy that also focuses on data analysis management technologies, social computing, and Arabic language technologies." He added that development in the area of information technology is one of QSTPs primary focus zones, and that supporting national companies, such as iHorizons, in this area is one of the entitys key objectives. Jassim Al-Mansoori, Chairman of iHorizons QSTP said that "The company is one of the first companies to join Qatar Science and Technology Park, with the aim of it being the headquarters for development and innovation activities." Al-Mansoori added, "We are grateful to QSTP for the adoption of many research and development activities in Qatar, and we hope that this will be reflected positively in Qatars knowledge-based economy in the foreseeable future." He also stressed on the importance of the role of Qatari companies and talent in contributing towards building the countrys economy and enabling Qatar to become one of the leading countries exporting advanced technologies. Mohamad Takriti, iHorizons CEO, stressed that iHorizons has achieved a good level of development in the area of Arabic language computing technologies, and that this will have a direct impact on the research project, specifically on the Arabic "Twitter" content. Takriti stressed that the company looks forward to the early market entry of Arabic social media content analytics, and to providing practical solutions to various enterprises in Qatar and the Arab World.(QNA)