Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani: Importance Attached by HH the Emir to Education Behind Naming New University after His Highness

Doha, May 03 (QNA) - HE Vice President, Education, Qatar Foundation Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani said the special importnace attached by HH the Emir to education and research was behind naming a new multi-disciplinary university after His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
"Given the importance of education and research to our country s development, it is appropriate that this University should be named after His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani," said Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani.
HH Chairperson of Qatar Foundation Sheikha Moza bint Nasser announced today Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development named its new, multidisciplinary University in honour of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The inaugural President of Hamad bin Khalifa University is HE Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, who is also Vice President, Education, Qatar Foundation.
Dr Al Thani said: "I am deeply honoured to have been entrusted by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with the leadership of this new institution."
"Qatar Foundation's academic network enables it to offer programs whose quality matches that of its partner institutions. Now we are seeking even greater benefit for Qatar and the region by guiding their convergence into a multi-disciplinary, research-led university," he said.
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser first announced the formation of the new University in May 2010, emphasizing the need "to enhance our networks of specialized centers of learning through complementary activities and collaboration, and to draw the maximum benefit from our combined skills and experience".
Hamad bin Khalifa University will combine the learning, teaching and research being carried out at the branch campuses of the leading universities and other academic centers at Education City in Doha. A range of new research and undergraduate programs, and further collaborations among academic, industry and public sector partners are envisaged for the new University.
Dr Al Thani said: "This will have numerous advantages for all concerned: Students will have access to greater academic opportunities and a richer campus experience.
"Top faculty will be attracted by the exciting inter-disciplinary research conducted at Hamad bin Khalifa University, and by the opportunity to be part of the most pioneering initiative in global education.
"The education and research conducted here will benefit our society, economy and culture in multiple ways, and the international prestige of Qatar will be further enhanced by the presence of a university which will stand among the world s best," he said.
A dedicated project management office has been established to guide the development of Hamad bin Khalifa University, based on the programs currently offered by its university partners.
At its 15-square-kilometer Education City campus, Qatar Foundation has built a network of world-class university partners teaching a select range of their most highly regarded degree programs, and conducting related research. Students in Qatar follow similar courses and earn the same degree as their counterparts at the home campuses.
The partners are: Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar; Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar; Texas A&M University at Qatar; Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar; Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar; Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies; Northwestern University in Qatar; HEC Paris in Qatar; and University College London in Qatar.
While the universities operate autonomously as overseas branches, they already collaborate by encouraging students to cross-register on each other s courses, and by sharing some faculty appointments. (QNA)