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HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, who is also QatarEnergy president and chief executive, joined the Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) community for a special edition of the Dean’s Lecture Series.In a departure from the traditional lecture format, the event was a conversation between the minister and CMU-Q dean Michael Trick, followed by a question-and-answer session with students.The dialogue covered the most pressing topics at the intersection of energy, technology, and the environment.HE al-Kaabi shared his perspective on the evolution of Qatar’s energy sector, the nation’s role in the global energy transition, and the critical importance of technologies in ensuring the long-term competitiveness of Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG).He said that QatarEnergy’s approach to the energy transition is to grow responsibly, emphasising that gas remains the lowest-emission fossil fuel and, when it replaces coal, emissions are immediately reduced.The minister said that QatarEnergy is pairing its LNG expansion with best-in-class emissions practices, large-scale carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, and significant solar power developments to deliver the energy the world needs in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.CMU-Q dean Trick emphasised the importance of the minister engaging with students.“The purpose of this series has always been to bridge education and real-world challenges and opportunities that await our graduates,” he said.“Today’s event is exactly in that tradition, offering our students a rare opportunity to engage directly with a pivotal figure in the global energy landscape,” Trick added.A significant portion of the event was dedicated to student questions, a format that HE al-Kaabi specifically requested to foster a genuine dialogue with the next generation of leaders.Students from across CMU-Q’s programmes engaged the minister on a wide range of subjects.A key topic was the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing sustainability and efficiency within the energy sector.Building national capacity through education remains fundamental to Qatar’s sustainable future, HE al-Kaabi noted.He said that education is paramount and that building national capability starts with equipping youth with the skills and knowledge to deliver across disciplines.By investing in their development and giving them real opportunities to grow, the minister said, QatarEnergy is empowering the next generation of leaders to drive Qatar’s sustainable future.The conversation provided students with firsthand insight into the strategic decisions that are shaping the future of energy in Qatar and around the world.

The start of a new academic year is a moment of tremendous energy. After our most selective admission round in campus history, we welcome our largest-ever incoming class. They are an impressive cohort, and will join our returning students for a busy, productive, and enriching year.This year is particularly significant for Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar as we embark on a new chapter. In May, we extended our partnership with Qatar Foundation for another decade. This partnership is based on a shared vision that education transforms lives. With this new contract, we will have a more significant impact than ever before. We look forward to enhancing the educational experience for our students, and the students of Education City.An exciting development at CMU-Q is the launch of our new Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence. Carnegie Mellon was the first to introduce the BSAI programme in the US, and now we are the first to offer this top-ranked programme in Qatar.For students interested in becoming AI leaders, this degree provides an excellent foundation. For students in the rest of our programmes, AI will continue to be part of their education, as they learn to thrive in an AI-driven world.CMU-Q opened its doors more than two decades ago, and we are proud of our network of more than 1,450 alumni who are making an impact in Qatar and around the world. As the global Carnegie Mellon community celebrates its 125th anniversary, we are filled with optimism for the year ahead and our role in contributing to a future built on knowledge and innovation.