Students participate in Business Leaders Campaign

“I believe it is our duty to invest in the youth of Qatar, inspire them through our personal experiences and allow them to flourish as successful entrepreneurs. It is important that we encourage students throughout their journey, allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them in order to shape their own success,” said Injaz Qatar chairperson Sheikha Hanadi bint Nasser al-Thani.

Injaz Qatar, a non-profit organisation and member of Junior Achievement Worldwide, said the programme opened in the beginning of the academic year and would be held across local independent and private schools until the end of the year.

This year’s first BLC was hosted by Sheikha Hanadi at the American School of Doha, where she shared her experience as a successful business leader. “We are proud that many of Injaz Qatar’s supporters have engaged with local schools to share their experiences as business leaders,” she said.

The BLC provides a platform for senior-level executives to engage with secondary schools, allowing them to share their professional journeys and success stories. The campaign also equips students with valuable life and career skills and inspires them to achieve professional success.

Injaz Qatar executive director Aysha al-Mudahka said, “After the success of last year’s campaign, we are excited to announce a high-profile series of professional and government-level participants for 2014. The initiative aims to inspire and motivate Qatar’s youth by giving them the opportunity to engage with aspirational role models.”

Al-Mudahka added that their mission at Injaz Qatar is “to channel mentorship by Qatar’s business leaders to help inspire an entrepreneurial culture and help foster business innovation among Qatar’s youth”.

Senior executives participating in the coming month will include Sheikha Hanadi, who will address Umm Ayman Independent Secondary School; Ooredoo HR senior director Buthaina al-Ansari, who will speak at Al Bayan Independent Secondary School; and psychology specialist and life coach Abdul Aziz Dalloul, who will present at Mosab bin Omair Independent Secondary School.

The BLC campaign has already engaged 500 students since it started in September 2013. The goal for the 2013-2014 academic year is to reach out to more than 1,100 students.

In the first term of the academic year, Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar Holding COO Khalifa al-Kuwari spoke to students at Khalifa Independent Secondary School, where he narrated his professional journey.

HSBC Qatar CEO Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi also spoke at Tariq Bin Ziyad Independent Secondary School and at Al Shaimaa Independent Secondary School for Girls, encouraging students to become Qatar’s future business leaders.

Students of Omar Bin Khattab Independent Secondary School were privileged to engage with Sheikh Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Jassim al-Thani, former Minister of Economy and Commerce, who elaborated on his “inspirational journey in becoming a minister”.

RasGas head of Operations & Technical Audit Hodhaifa al-Hindi addressed students of Omar Bin Khattab Independent Secondary School and Ahmed Bin Hanbal Independent Secondary School for Boys.

ExxonMobil Qatar president and general manager Barton Cahir also shared his experiences with students at Doha British School. Mashreq Bank CEO Ross Officer reached out to students at Newton International School, while Social Development Centre executive director Amal al-Mannai spoke at Al Kawthar Independent Secondary School.