Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation For Education Science and Community Devleopment, welcomed more than 100 senior government officials and private sector executives from various industries in Qatar, at its inaugural Community Leaders Forum last week.
HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry who delivered the keynote address said: “One cannot help but notice HBKU’s immense contribution to the four pillars of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by developing our nation’s most valuable and important resource –  Qatar’s youth. We surely look forward, with great expectations, to HKBU’s continuing role in contributing to Qatar’s ambitious developmental plans.”
The event was used to highlight that all industries, however financed or organised, need adequate numbers of well-trained, high-quality leaders and staff to meet their needs, more so in Qatar where all sectors are growing at an unprecedented speed.
Among those attending the event, were HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, chairman and CEO of Al Faisal Holding Company, Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-Thani, acting managing director of Maersk Oil Qatar, and the presidents, chairmen, CEOs and senior representatives of a number of major companies and organisations.
Faisal Alsuwaidi, president of Research and Development at Qatar Foundation, was also present, as were representatives of educational partners of HBKU, including the deans of HEC Paris in Qatar and Northwestern University in Qatar.
Dr Ahmad Hasnah, president of HBKU, stressed the need to develop strong and effective relationships for the benefit of internships, employment and research collaborations.
 He said: “2015 witnessed unprecedented growth of the university, offering a number of postgraduate programmes and conducting research in response to the current and future needs of Qatar in the sectors of energy, environment, science, and medicine.”
Sheikh Faisal said: “In these times of unprecedented growth that the nation is witnessing, it is important to build awareness on the role that universities can and should take in building the nation on one hand, and the role that the business community can play in supporting these universities and the students.”
Dr Khaled Letaief, provost of HBKU, gave  a presentation about HBKU at the forum and he used the opportunity to shed light on the university’s programmes and research initiatives and to point out the role HBKU can play in serving Qatar’s future aspiration.
HBKU plays a key role in helping shape Qatar’s future by, not only providing interdisciplinary education and training to leaders from the nation’s varied sectors, but by also motivating its students, faculty, and staff to target challenges faced by the country.