Hollande meets HEC Paris community in Qatar

French President François Hollande with officials and dignitaries at HEC Paris in Qatar.

French President François Hollande recently met representatives of the HEC Paris community in Qatar and urged his fellow and future alumni to assist in further strengthening links between France and Qatar. 

The meeting took place during the French president’s official visit to Qatar, with top government officials from both countries discussing several issues of mutual concern. President Hollande had graduated from HEC Paris in 1975.

The HEC Paris community present during the meeting included Professor Laoucine Kerbache, CEO and academic dean of HEC Paris in Qatar; representatives from the current EMBA and Master class of 2014; and several members of the HEC Paris alumni body. Also present at the meeting were HE Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani, vice-president for education at Qatar Foundation and president of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU); Dr David Prior, executive vice-president and provost at HBKU; and Christophe de Margerie, chairman and CEO of Total.

After the meeting, Hollande was presented with a calligraphy crystal by the HEC Paris community as a token of appreciation. “HEC Paris is indeed proud to count President Hollande as one of its most prestigious graduates,” Professor Kerbache said.

“He embodies many of the values of HEC Paris, including commitment to diversity, responsible leadership and international collaboration.”

“President Hollande’s visit to Qatar and his meeting with fellow alumni in Doha demonstrate the life-long ties that our students develop with HEC Paris, fellow classmates and graduates. This meeting highlights the importance of the HEC Paris presence in Qatar, which has received tremendous support from the highest levels of government and business in both France and Qatar,” he further said.