Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), a national research institute under Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Boeing will host the third annual Machine Learning and Data Analytics symposium (MLDAS 2016) in March. 
The symposium which is emerging as the premier machine learning and data analytics event in the region, is open to students, researchers and industry experts. 
It will feature top global experts discussing applications, recent advances and new solutions in the fields of machine learning and data analytics. The deadline for submitting full or position papers is February 7.
“We are once again honoured to partner with Boeing on this important annual event,” said Dr Ahmed K Elmagarmid, executive director, QCRI. 
“We have enjoyed an extraordinarily positive response to the symposium the past two years and look forward to furthering participants’ understanding of the importance and applicability of data analytics and machine learning throughout our daily lives.” 
With the continuing growth of big data in the areas of transportation, security, healthcare, finance, telecommunications and agriculture among others, it has become increasingly vital to efficiently and effectively gather and analyse data not only to gain and maintain a competitive advantage, but also to inform decisions that impact society. 
The symposium provides a tremendous opportunity to gain insight into advanced analytics for big data such as machine learning, by engaging with leading experts who will discuss case studies and the latest research in the field.
“Data analytics is critical for every industry and with each symposium we find better ways to manage and analyse the data needed to make sound decisions. Our partnership with QCRI has allowed talent from around the world to congregate in Doha and share their innovations, expose regional students to experts in the field, and advance Qatar’s research and development objectives,” said Bernard Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. 
MLDAS 2016 will serve as a platform for the exchange of new ideas, identification of important applications and the discovery of possible synergies between attendees.
The list of distinguished speakers include Hugh Durrant-Whyte, Jesse Davis, Chris Jermaine, Claudia Perlich, James Schimert, Cheng Soon Ong, Byron Wallace, Geoff Webb and Mohamed Zaki.
Qatar Computing Research Institute is focused on tackling large-scale computing challenges that address national priorities for growth and development. Boeing is fully funding MLDAS 2016.