HEC Paris, ranked number three worldwide for Executive Education and first for the International Executive MBA by the Financial Times in 2019, has welcomed the first cohort of the Specialised Master’s Degree in Strategic Business Unit Management (SBUM) class of 2021, at its Doha premises in Tornado Tower. 
A total of 33 participants were welcomed during an orientation session presented by HEC Paris in Qatar dean Dr Pablo Martin de Holan, and director of programmes Abdallah Abdel-Daem. 
The new cohort includes participants from nine nationalities who come from diverse professional backgrounds and various sectors, which will enhance shared learning, a key component of the programme.
The panel which delivered presentations on the Specialised Master’s Degree during the event also included Dr Wolfgang C Amann, academic director, SBUM, HEC Paris in Qatar; and Laura Misola, senior project co-ordinator, HEC Paris in Qatar. 
The gathering was also addressed by SBUM alumni guest speakers: Bahig Georgi – SBUM 2018 C 2 – GM Informatica Qatar, and Nisreen al-Malek – SBUM 2018 C1 – institutional programme manager, Qatar Leadership Centre.
Welcoming the new cohort, Dr Martin de Holan said: “This programme reflects HEC Paris’ commitment to the development of a knowledge-based economy in Qatar and we want it to be a transformational moment in our participants’ careers. The performance of our participants over the course of the next year is aligned with the world class standards of HEC, which are aimed at developing a leadership mindset, qualities, and practices, and of course a never-ending passion for excellence.  We wish each and every one of the participants the very best in their programme, and we are thankful for accepting to provide the effort and discipline they will need to complete it.”
The HEC Paris in Qatar Specialised Master’s Degree comprises three stages, starting with the core curriculum focused on Strategy, Finance, and Leadership and Change. Participants will also personalise their learning journey further with a choice of one of three tracks: General Management, Marketing & Sales, and Entrepreneurship & Business Development. Further, the professional thesis enables participants to focus on a specific challenge related to their industry and provide detailed solutions.