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President of the European Council visits Qatar Foundation

12 February 2012 Doha, Qatar: The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, visited Qatar today in his official capacity. During his day trip to Doha Van Rompuy paid a visit to Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) .

President Van Rompuy was welcomed to the QF Visitors Center by a delegation led by Dr. Abdelali Haoudi, Vice President for Research at QF. He attended a presentation of QF's plans for the nation's transformation to a knowledge based economy, one that relies on unlocking human potential for Qatar's development in the 21st century.

Mr. Van Rompuy was also shown the impressive 3D scale model of QF's buildings and future construction projects. As the presentation ended, Dr. Haoudi presented him with a gift on behalf of the QF community.

"It is an honor to host President Van Rompuy at Qatar Foundation today. In our nation's endeavor to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and make Qatar a global leader in innovative education and research, some of the world's greatest universities, including two European institutions, now call Qatar Foundation home. In addition, some of our brilliant young Qatari students are currently enrolled into research training internships in some of the best European research institutions" said Dr. Haoudi.

"This is a testament to Qatar's long-standing friendships in Europe and with President Van Rompuy's visit, we look forward to new opportunities for collaboration across all fields," he continued.

Prior to his appointment in 2009, President Van Rompuy held the office of the 49^th Prime Minister of Belgium and was regarded an influential and stabilizing figure during the linguistically divided nation's political crisis. Mr. Van Rompuy current term as President of the European Council lasts until June this year.

" Qatar Foundation is one of the major achievements of Qatar and I came here especially between my trip to India and to China. What you are doing here is so impressive and vital to the transformation of Qatar's hydrocarbon-based economy into a knowledge based one" said President Van Rompuy. He continued, "What Qatar Foundation is doing - investing in human capital - is a guarantee for its future."

-Ends-

Qatar Foundation - Unlocking Human Potential
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development is a private, non-profit organization that is supporting Qatar on its journey from carbon economy to knowledge economy by unlocking human potential for the benefit of not only Qatar, but the world. Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir of Qatar, QF is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.

QF carries out its mission through three strategic pillars: education, science and research, and community development. QF's education pillar brings world-class universities to Qatar to help create an education sector in which young people can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge economy. Meanwhile, its science and research pillar builds Qatar's innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercialising solutions through key sciences. Finally, its community development pillar helps foster a progressive society while also enhancing cultural life, protecting Qatar's heritage and addressing immediate social needs in the community.

For a complete list of QF's initiatives and projects, visit http://www.qf.org.qa.

For further information about this release please contact:
Mike Dillon
Tel: +974 55264433
Email: miked@brownlloydjames.com

Murad Alhaiki
Tel: +974 33086688
Email: malhaiki@qf.org.qa

For more information about Qatar Foundation please contact:
Tariq Al Sada
Press Office Unit Head
Qatar Foundation
Tel: +974 4454 0991
Email: talsada@qf.org.qa

Anwar El-Shamy
Press Office Coordinator
Qatar Foundation
Tel: +974 55904407
Email: aelshamy@qf.org.qa

© Press Release 2012