Qatar University (QU), along with Al-Faisal Holding Company and QNB, yesterday launched the Al-Faisal Educational Fund, a new joint initiative for students in QU’s College of Business and Economics.
The aim is to enhance the courses, teaching students of business the principles of Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) and providing the environment to enhance the classroom experience with real life practical investment experience.
The Fund is facilitated by Al-Faisal’s subsidiary, the Al Rayyan Education Company and will be financed by Al-Faisal’s chairman and CEO and prominent Qatari businessman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani. It will be managed by the investment department of QNB.
The new initiative will support courses in Investment and Portfolio Management by giving students the opportunity of firsthand experience of investment activities at Qatar Exchange and other stock markets in the Gulf region.
Every semester, around 120 male and female students will take part in the programme. Money from the Al-Faisal Educational Fund will allow them to independently create and manage authentic portfolios during the semester.
They will in turn justify their investment decisions to members of the finance faculty to show an understanding of the theory and application of responsible investment.
Students will not be graded on any gains or losses -- on completion of the course, they will be awarded certificates.
QU President Professor Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad described the joint initiative as a strategic opportunity imparting considerable benefit to the students of the College of Business and Economics.
“We are fortunate to have the support of such leadership as that of Sheikh Faisal whose vision is paving the way for our students to gain invaluable experience that they will contribute in the future to Qatar’s development,” she stated.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani observed: “Through this initiative, we are not only investing in the future of our beloved country, we are creating a new generation of quality investment professionals, who will share in the growth of our great state, under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.” |
