Doha, Qatar: May 9, 2011: With unprecedented development in the energy world, Europe's leading business school, HEC Paris, has launched a new program in Qatar that will prepare leaders to respond strategically and innovatively to global energy issues. The new Major, 'Management in an Energy-Concerned Economy', is being offered both as part of HEC Paris in Qatar's Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program and as a stand-alone certificate. Executives taking the  program on its own will obtain an Advanced Certificate in Energy.

Launched in Doha on May 8, with the participation of the Institut Francais du Petrole (IFP), the Major will deliver a comprehensive understanding of energy fundamentals, and prepare executives to manage the twin challenges of energy demand and climate change. The course builds on programs that have been developed over the past three years on the HEC Paris campus in France.

Professor Antoine Hyafil, academic director and acting academic dean at HEC Paris in Qatar, said: "HEC Paris equips business leaders to answer the challenges of an increasingly complex world economy.  At a time of significant uncertainty in the energy industry and in energy financial markets, this Major is a timely addition to our program in Qatar."

While aligned with the industrial framework of the Middle East, the Major addresses the needs of a rapidly growing and diversifying economy, in which new and traditional energy activities have to be developed. As a result, it is integrally linked with the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, and the recently-launched National Development Strategy (NDS) 2011-2016, which seeks to transform Qatar into an advanced, competitive, and knowledge-based economy.

The program focuses on three key topic areas: the geo-economics of energy, oil and gas financial markets, and project financing of energy infrastructure. Although open to professionals in any industry, the Major is geared towards executives and senior managers working or planning to work in industries and services where energy production and consumption, or greenhouse gas reduction policies, could significantly impact the corporate bottom line. "At the end of the course, participants can expect to have a comprehensive and strategic view of energy, alongside immediately applicable knowledge and skills," Professor Hyafil commented.

The Energy Major benefits from the support of the recently-inaugurated Chair in Energy and Management. Established in partnership with Total, a leading energy corporation and major strategic partner of the State of Qatar, the Chair integrates the specific features of the energy industry with expertise in management practice and strategy. With a focus on  education, training, and applied research, it actively supports HEC in providing executive education that answers the challenges facing the global energy industry.

Philippe Guys, Total E&P Qatar managing director, said: "We are very proud at Total to see that the Chair in Energy and Management, which was launched here two months ago with our support, is already bearing fruit. Moreover, we are delighted that this entirely new executive program, dedicated to a better understanding of the energy business, is inaugurated in Doha and will attract here in Qatar high level executives from all around the world."

As a global program with locations in Paris, Russia and China as well as Doha, HEC Paris has strong relationships with energy corporations in the key markets worldwide.  The Major will see HEC tap into its network and bring to Doha experts in the field. Participants will be drawn from the energy industry both in the Middle East and globally, ensuring a rich participant mix. The current EMBA intake comprises 32 participants and 11 different nationalities, each with the opportunity to move between locations and interact with a dynamic global network of senior professionals.

The Major is being held from May 8-12 in Doha, and from October 17-21 in Paris.  For more information about this and other programs, visit: www.emba.hec.edu

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Qatar Foundation
Founded in 1995 by decree of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, Qatar Foundation is a non-profit organization focusing on education, scientific research and community development. Under Qatar Foundation's umbrella are Education City which comprises elite universities, academic and training programmes and Qatar Science and Technology Park which boasts more than 26 world-class companies involved in scientific research and development. Chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation also aims to enhance lives through community development initiatives including Doha Debates, Reach out To Asia and Al Jazeera Children's Channel.  Joint venture partnerships in the areas of design, ICT, telecommunications, policy studies and event management contribute to fulfilling the objectives of the Qatar Foundation.  

HEC Paris
A leader in Europe, HEC Paris specializes in management education and research. HEC Paris offers a full, unique range of courses to the leaders of tomorrow: Masters Degrees, MBA, PhD, Executive MBA and Trium Global Executive MBA. Founded in 1881, HEC Paris has a permanent faculty of 109 professors, 4000 students on its campus (40% of whom are foreign) and over 8500 managers and executives trained in executive education programs each year.  HEC is ranked #1 Business School in Europe and #2 Worldwide in Executive Education by the Financial Times.

www.hec.edu  

HEC Paris in Qatar:
Qatar's first international EMBA was launched by HEC Paris in Qatar (HEC-Q) in February 2011.  It followed an agreement between HEC Paris and Qatar Foundation to bring world-class executive education programs to Doha and carry-out research activities in Qatar.  The 14-16 month part-time program is designed to provide executives with a set of fundamental tools and skills to expand their knowledge and leadership capabilities while they continue to work. The HEC Executive MBA offered in Doha is the same as the program delivered in Paris. The language of instruction is English. HEC Paris in Qatar's offering includes non-degree programs for executives, in the form of open enrolment programs and custom programs for companies. A permanent teaching and research faculty is based in Doha. HEC Paris is ranked # 1 Worldwide in Executive Education by the Financial Times in 2011.

© Press Release 2011