Qatar: Business school wanted

When the Qatar Foundation celebrated the graduation of 122 students at the beginning of May, it was an important milestone for Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and his wife Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad on their way to expanding the Gulf state into one of the leading education centers in the Middle East. Qatar has already drawn six American universities to its Education City on the outskirts of the capital city of Doha. A gigantic science city with several universities and a Science & Technology Park taking up eight million square meters can already be found there.

The original plan was that the universities would set up a complete campus in Qatar. When that wasn’t possible, the limit was set up individual programs of study. Thus students can study fashion and design at the Virginia Commonwealth University or learn computer sciences or business at the Carnegie Mellon University. They can train to become an engineer at the Texas A&M College or learn the high art of diplomacy at the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University. All programs conclude with a Bachelors degree. The only exception is the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, which offers a complete medical school training (medical doctor) according to an American model. The newest acquisition is Northwestern University, where a journalism program is planned to start soon.

Now the Qatar Foundation is on the hunt for a renowned business school. “We’re working on a model,” explained Fathy Saoud, President of the Qatar Foundation. “There could be two or more business schools that offer an MBA, Executive MBA and Executive education.” The first exploratory talks with desired candidates are already under way, however names have not yet been released. There is reportedly also interest in European universities.

The candidates are given clear rules to play by. The universities must offer their programs of study in Qatar in the same form and for the same price as they do in their home land. The admission requirements must also be identical. Each university receives its own highly-modern campus in the Education City. The Qatar Foundation assumes complete financing – including the running costs. Ultimately money isn’t an issue. This was clear when, on the occasion on the graduation party, Andrea Bocelli was flown in for a 45-minute concert – for an alleged two million dollars.

www.qf.org.qa