17 February 2015
88 percent of new class participants are Qatari

Doha - Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF),has this month welcomeda significantly expanded cohort of participants to form the second intake of its uniqueExecutive Master in Energy and Resources (E&R) program.

44 executives have been accepted as students of the 16-month program - an increase of 57 percent on the first intake.High interest in the program resulted in close to 150 people attending information sessions delivered during the most recent admissions cycle.

Of the new student body, 88 percent are Qatari, with other students being either expatriates living in Qatar or traveling from elsewhere in the GCC and Nigeria to take part. The program, which is structured around five intensive modules (one per quarter), began on February 11thwith a two-day course delivered by Professor Mehran Kamrava, Director of Georgetown University in Qatar's Center for International and Regional Studies, immediately followed by a course delivered by ProfessorJean Michel Gauthier, Executive Director of HEC Paris's Energy and Finance Chair. Three more highly qualified instructors will teach the class until the first module is completed on February 23rd.

By integrating the disciplines of geopolitics, public policy, technology, finance, management, and strategy, the Executive Master in Energy and Resourcesprovides participants with a comprehensive view of the energy sector. The program, offered in partnership with Georgetown University, Texas A&M University, and HEC Paris,is specifically designed forpotential high-level managers and executives looking tobuild industry knowledge that goes beyond beyond a purely technical approach to energy and resources.

Tailor-made to serve the needs of the region and to further develop Qatar's highly qualified workforce, while also attracting executives from further afield, each of the modulesblendsacademic presentations, with simulation exercises, and case studies. The program ends with a capstone project where students work individually or in small groups to address a current strategic issue facing the E&R sector.

Dr. Antoine Hyafil, Academic Coordinator for the E&R Master, commented on the incoming cohort: "The selection process was rigorous, but we had so many excellent applications that we decided to find a way to accommodate a number of participants that went significantly beyond our initial plan. Both Professor Kamrava from Georgetown University and Professor Gauthier from HEC Parishave commented on how they are impressed and delighted with the richness of the new program participants' experience and its impact on the quality of class discussion. "

Sara Al Mulla, an incoming studentwho works atQatar Petroleumsaid:"In a nutshell, the program, from all aspects is beyond my expectation and I am sure it will add huge value to my knowledge, and ultimately to my career progression." While fellow new student Alanoud Al Naimi from TOTAL added: "It's a very ambitious program, equipping us with the kind of rich knowledge which will allow us to become leaders in our industry."

For more information on the Executive Master in Energy and Resources or other offerings from HBKU, please visit http://www.hbku.edu.qa or email hbku.e&r@qf.org.qa.

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About Hamad bin Khalifa University
Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is an emerging research university building upon unique collaborations with local and international partners. Located in Education City, HBKU seeks to provide unparalleled opportunities for scholarship, teaching, discovery, and learning for all of its students through an array of interdisciplinary programs.

HBKU's partners are Virginia Commonwealth University 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, Northwestern University in Qatar, HEC Paris in Qatar, and UCL Qatar.

© Press Release 2015