Qatar Foundation (QF)’s Education City, with Qatar University (QU) and the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), co-hosted the third edition of the Leadership Development Seminar for New Rectors and Emerging Leaders of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP).The QF, together with Santander Universities, collaborated with the IAUP, QU, and UDST for the three-day event, which saw new university presidents and leaders from 22 countries turn the spotlight on topics such as the digital transformation of higher education, internationalisation, equality, and inclusion.The seminar was designed to support them in facing current and future challenges and trends in higher education, with experts sharing their experiences and best practices."The IAUP’s leadership development programme is a premier executive programme which, for the first time, has offered in the Gulf region an opportunity to current and emerging higher education leaders from around the world – the opportunity to share perspectives, learn approaches, and gain peer mentorship, as they experienced the unique, innovative higher education landscape of Qatar,” said QF president of higher education and education Francisco Marmolejo."By hosting higher education leaders at Education City, we have had a unique opportunity to share the success story of Qatar Foundation with participants,” he said. "Our approach – the array of top-level universities in one place, the development of innovative joint academic offerings, and the variety of initiatives at the QF working toward unlocking human potential – are among the key features that current and future university leaders have been able to see first-hand.”The QF’s education ecosystem is home to seven international partner universities as well as the QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University, 13 schools, research and innovation hubs, and community programmes and facilitiesMarmolejo highlighted its cross-registration system – which allows students at Education City to take courses at different universities on the same campus – and the "connectedness” of the QF’s universities and schools, as being among the "distinctive characteristics” of the Education City model that he hoped other education leaders can take inspiration from."The fact that we have partnered with the IAUP and with other universities in Qatar speaks volumes for our instrumental role in fostering conversations that are needed among leaders who are willing to experiment with new ideas aimed at reshaping higher education across the globe,” he said. "I am sure the story of Qatar Foundation will serve as a tangible reference of what can be achieved when an inspiring vision, committed leadership, and community involvement are in place.”
December 05, 2023 | 12:31 AM