DOHA - Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMUQ) yesterday unveiled a training course for would-be entrepreneurs called the 'Executive Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme'.
Making the announcement yesterday at a media briefing on the sidelines of the QSTP TECHtalks conference, QSTP Chief Executive Officer Dr Eulian Roberts said: "The aim is to increase tech start-ups and also reflects a growing partnership between QSTP and CMUQ. The programme is an excellent means to develop skills for anyone wanting to start up a technology-based business. For the many aspiring entrepreneurs, we encourage them to look closely at the programme."
The nine-month part-time programme will teach aspiring managers and executives how to build a technology-based business, either within their existing companies or by starting new enterprises.
Enrollment began yesterday and classes will start in September and run until May next year. The class will have a capacity of 40 students and course fees have been set at $12,000. The certificate programme is run by Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business and its Donald H Jones Centre for Entrepreneurship. CMUQ Chief Operating Officer Dr Mohamed Dobashi Al Ajji stated: "This is an opportunity for executives on how to become world leaders in entrepreneurship. It teaches skills via real world projects with faculty and know-how."
Faculty will be brought over from the main campus in the US and will be the same people who are teaching the course in Pittsburgh.
The course will cover business and market positioning and strategic planning among other topics. Mohamed said: "The course will be held in Education City. Classes have been planned outside business hours allowing all to participate. A university degree is preferred but not required."
The last date to file an application to enroll in the programme has been set for August 15.
QSTP is hopeful that some of the graduates of the course may operate their businesses from the premises "over a long period of time", said QSTP Business Support Manager Desmond Ryan.
© The Peninsula 2007
