The development falls in line with QLC’s aim to develop and empower the country’s human capital as qualified leaders that redefine the market sectors through superior research and managerial experience.
Established in 2010 by a directive of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, QLC provides valuable opportunities to Qatari talents to enhance leadership skills and prepare for key positions across private, public and governmental institutions in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. As such, the Centre’s elite, graduate-level programme EML-Q was launched in May 2018 as the first of its kind in the region. It is open exclusively to alumni of QLC’s three National Leadership Programmes – the Executive Leaders, Government Leaders, and Rising Leaders programmes.
Undoubtedly, this year’s academic experience has been defined by the ongoing blockade on Qatar. From a pedagogic perspective, the socio-political circumstances deepened the EML-Q participants’ understanding of leadership through first-hand accounts of national crisis management. As challenges turned into opportunities, they also bore witness to Qatar’s unwavering resilience. Guided by the progressive policies of the Qatari state, the national economy continued to realise remarkable growth rates. Renowned financial advisory bodies, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), affirmed that Qatar’s economy overcame the direct economic and financial impacts of the blockade, thereby recognising the effectiveness and efficiency of the nation’s siege management approach. Within these unique conditions, the inaugural EML-Q programme participants is presently undergoing nine months of intensive study to obtain their Master’s degree, which will be conferred by QLC’s partner institute and one of the world’s most prestigious universities in due course of time – Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in Washington, DC. Participants who successfully complete the programme and fulfil the degree requirements will also become members of Georgetown University’s growing global network of more than 178,000 alumni.
Student Reflections
In light of Qatar’s positive market conditions, it is important to invest in the development of national leadership talents and incorporate them within the growing knowledge-based economy. EML-Q programme participant, Faisal Abdulla al-Kuwari, noted: “The Executive Master’s programme is a highly specialised degree that aims to achieve two primary goals.
Firstly, the programme works towards the realisation of the National Development Strategy 2018-2022, which was announced by the Prime Minister and Interior Minister HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani on March 15, 2018. Secondly, the programme produces an accomplished cadre of alumni that embody our great nation’s leadership excellence and serve to realise Qatar National Vision 2030.
“Personally, I have gained innumerable skills throughout the progression of the programme. Modern and effective leadership is based on scientific research and development that is conscious of the multitude of cultures, customs and global management practices,” al-Kuwari said.
“Most notably, I became versed in the promotion of leadership based on the principles of ethics and communication within today’s rapidly-changing and highly-competitive market conditions,” he said. “As professionals, we have acquired best practices for economic and financial success in order to stimulate and support Qatar’s economy on local, regional and international levels.”
“Expanding on the programme’s assorted module offering, Buthaina Abdulrahman al-Derham, another programme participant who will graduate later this year, said: “During my time with the EML-Q programme, I gained a variety of management skills, while learning about recognised decision-making practices and their long-term implications within the global economic landscape.” “Developing institutional policies, the art of advanced negotiation, crisis management and other competencies, have redefined by personal and professional development,” al-Derham added.
“I am confident that through these skills, all participants will contribute to advancing a diversified and sustainable national economy. Qatar is continuously prospering and with the nation’s visionary leadership, every citizen has the resources they need to advance in their careers and benefit their institutions and Qatar,” she said.
Innovative Policy-Making
Inspired by the programme’s policy-in-action principle, EML-Q programme participant, Eng Abdulla Hassan al-Mehshadi expressed his enthusiasm for the future of the programme saying: “The EML-Q programme addresses leadership as an intersection between policy and innovation, providing Qatari professionals and executives with a unique opportunity to hone their management skills and expand their knowledge on global business.”
“Today’s QLC alumni from the three National Leadership Programmes are encouraged to continue their academic journey and obtain this exclusive graduate degree. I am delighted about the varied programme modules, which approached leadership decisions from a multi-angular perspective to ensure our well-rounded comprehension of the competitive global business model,” he added.
“QLC’s leadership programmes are working to support the Qatari market across all industry sectors, including private, public to government institutions. The highest cadre of Qatari executives are expert leaders, who are able to professionally navigate both political and economic challenges,” al-Mehshadi noted. Illustrating the programme’s unparalleled international exposure, EML-Q programme participant, Dr Khalid Abdulla Alyafei, said: “As part of the EML-Q programme, we attended eight four-day training courses in Qatar and participated in a week-long residency at Georgetown University in Washington DC to deepen our practical understanding of global leadership concepts.”
“Walking the corridors of this prestigious university at the policy-making centre of the US was an enriching learning experience. We listened to the world’s most renowned academics and political decision-makers as they explained their perspectives on local, regional and international developments at this very seat of political and economic power,” he added.
Explaining another noteworthy national implication of the one-week residency in Washington, DC, he continued: “My invaluable insights into both the regional and global political climate as well as strategic policy-making will aid towards the service of my community and Qatar’s dynamic economy.”
As a community of scholars, researchers and corporate leaders, QLC upholds the covenants of inclusivity and respect for diversity.
Lauding the programme’s intrinsic commitment to unbiased collaboration, Eng AlJazzi Hamad Fetais said: “Since joining the National Leadership Development programme, I have experienced the immense respect and spirit of inclusivity amongst all members of the QLC community.”
“This also motivated my decision to continue on and join the EML-Q programme,” Fetais noted.
“I encourage my fellow colleagues and alumni of the three National Leadership Programmes to draw on these same benefits and further cultivate their leadership potential as part of the EML-Q experience,” Fetais added. “Moreover, it is our innate responsibility as the sons and daughters of the State of Qatar to embrace the opportunities for learning in order to better serve the common objective of our nation’s development.”
Today, the number of QLC alumni reaches 620 male and female graduates. Hailing from the three National Leadership Programmes and the Executive Master’s in Leadership, they go on to assume their place within the development of Qatar’s vital market sectors, effectively contributing to the national aspiration of establishing a strong knowledge-based economy.
QLC will continue to support future Qatari leaders, who in turn go on to enhance our country’s ability to stay abreast of regional and global developments. Qatar can draw on a strong basis of human capital wealth that is both capable and responsive towards a global economic environment defined by rapid transformation.