Doha, Qatar - February 24, 2013: HEC Paris in Qatar - the region's leading hub for Executive Education, offering a complete portfolio of management programs including the first ever international Executive MBA (EMBA) in Qatar - held an event to welcome its EMBA and Specialized Master Degree in Strategic Business Unit Management program participants, as the Class of 2014.

The launch for the two programs, which will begin in February and March of this year, took place on the evening of February 19 in Sharq Village and Spa hotel Doha.

Apart from the new cohorts, present on the night were alumni from the two previous EMBA classes who spoke about their experiences with HEC Paris in Qatar, His Excellency Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, the Ambassador of France, - Deans from other universities in Education City and many influential representatives of the business community in Qatar.

This event served also as a great opportunity for HEC Paris alumni and staff in Qatar to wish farewell to its founding Academic Dean, Professor Antoine Hyafil and welcome on board the new Dean of HEC Paris in Qatar, Professor Laoucine Kerbache.

The Chief Operating Officer of HEC Paris in Qatar, Mr Joshua Kobb, commented, "This celebration marks new beginnings for us. Firstly, to welcome our newest EMBA class and launch the new Specialized Master program, demonstrating the strength of HEC Paris in Qatar's Executive Education activities. Secondly, to acknowledge the contribution of our founding Dean, Prof. Antoine Hyafil and wish him farewell on the occasion of his retirement, and of course to welcome our new Dean, Professor Laoucine Kerbache. Based on strong foundations, a new chapter begins for HEC Paris in Qatar."

The HEC Paris in Qatar EMBA is uniquely positioned to offer senior managers and executives the opportunity to select from a number of majors. It is a practical and intense program developed to provide executives with an understanding of the social, economic and environmental aspects of international business, as well as the skills to put their vision into action.

The focus on strategy, leadership and the global business environment ensures participants gain comprehensive, innovative, and applicable knowledge and skills. The EMBA enables them to learn not only from top faculty, but also from other senior participants who bring to the classroom a wealth of business experience. Admission to the program normally demands a minimum of eight years' experience at senior managerial level.

Additionally, the objectives of the Specialized Master in Strategic Business Unit Management program are threefold: to create effective leaders of business units; to enhance leadership and people management skills, and to foster a genuinely entrepreneurial approach to management.

This degree is aimed at professionals with a minimum age of 25, a four-year degree (or equivalent) from a recognised university, and at least three years' work experience. Typically, the participant will be a manager responsible for a business unit or profit center, or one who is likely to occupy this role in the near future.

Participants for the EMBA and Specialized Master programs represent a variety of nationalities, mainly department heads and managers, and high-potential professionals from various industry sectors such as education, finance, oil and gas, aviation, healthcare , telecoms and more.  

According to the influential UK-based Financial Times media group, HEC Paris has been ranked number two in the world for Executive Education in 2012.

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Media inquiries:
Salwa Ghorayeb
Account Manager, Action Qatar
Tel: 00974 44361499
Email: salwa.g@actionprgroup.com

HEC Paris in Qatar
HEC Paris joined Qatar Foundation in June 2010, bringing world-class Executive Education programs and research activity to Doha and the region. Qatar's first international EMBA was launched by HEC Paris in Qatar in February 2011. The HEC Executive MBA (EMBA) is a part-time program which provides executives with a set of fundamental skills to expand their knowledge and leadership capabilities. The course is taught in English, and is offered in five different locations, including Doha. In addition to the EMBA, HEC Paris in Qatar provides a Specialized Master Degree in Strategic Business Unit Management. The institution also offers non-degree management programs for executives, in the form of open enrolment programs as well as custom-designed programs for individual companies. HEC Paris in Qatar's programs and research activities build corporate competitiveness within the global economy and are fully aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 to support the transformation of Qatar into an advanced, competitive and knowledge-based economy. HEC Paris has been ranked as one of the top Business Schools in Europe since 2006, and was ranked second in the world for Executive Education in 2012.

 http://www.exed.hec.edu/locations/qatar

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 Paris has been ranked as one of the top Business Schools in Europe since 2006 and #2 worldwide for Executive Education by the Financial Times. http://www.exed.hec.edu/

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. http://www.qf.org.qa/

© Press Release 2013