Qatar Foundation
Encyclopedia
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a government-funded, charter
ed, non-profit organization
in the state of Qatar
, founded in 1995 by decree of Sheikh
Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and chaired by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned. Qatar Foundation's aim is to 'support Qatar on its journey from a carbon economy to a knowledge economy by unlocking human potential'.
Qatar Foundation carries out this mission through three strategic 'pillars': education, science and research, and community development. QF’s work in the education field has brought a number of international universities to Qatar to help develop an education sector in which young people can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge economy.
Its main science and research agenda is to build Qatar's innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercializing solutions through key sciences. Its community development programs aim to help foster a progressive society, while also enhancing the cultural landscape, protecting Qatar’s heritage and addressing immediate social needs in the community.
Joint venture
partnerships in the areas of design, ICT, telecommunications, policy studies and event management also contribute to fulfilling the objectives of Qatar Foundation.
and Qatar Academy Al Khor which are K-12 schools that offer internationally accepted and comprehensive academic programs.
There are branch campuses of eight strategically selected elite international universities at Education City
(the education campus of Qatar Foundation):
These international establishments sit alongside QF's home-grown higher education center:
Roughly half of university students are Qatari. Around 90 different nationalities are represented by the students, faculty and staff at Education City.
World Innovation Summit for Education
- WISE - is a global forum that brings together education stakeholders, opinion leaders and decision makers from all over the world to discuss educational issues. The first edition was held in Doha
, Qatar from November 16th to 18th 2009, the second from December 7th to 9th 2010. The third edition will be held from November 1st to 3rd 2011, during which the $500,000 WISE Prize for Education will be awarded to an individual or group.
A research division was established at Qatar Foundation in 2007 to manage developing a scientific community in Qatar. It has hosted several international conferences in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology and stem cell research.
Qatar Foundation's science and research projects include:
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute
- Qatar Environmental and Energy Research Institute
- Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) which conducts world-class, multidisciplinary, applied computing research that is relevant to the needs of Qatar, the wider Arab region and the world, leveraging Qatar’s unique historical, linguistic and cultural heritage.
Other science and research initiatives include:
In June 2011 Qatar Foundation hosted the seventh edition of the World Conference of Science Journalists, which had been scheduled to be held in Cairo
but was moved to Doha as a result of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution
.
Fostering a progressive society appropriate to the knowledge economy:
Enhancing cultural life and protecting Qatar's heritage:
Addressing immediate social needs in the community:
A need for certain specialized skills has been identified within Qatar's economy. While Qatar Foundation can procure services from outside the region to meet short-term needs, it believes that the future lies in building local expertise so that Qatar can achieve sustainability.
Qatar Foundation has therefore established a number of commercial joint ventures with global partners. Profits generated are shared by both parties, with Qatar Foundation's share being ploughed back into its core not-for-profit activities.
announced it had agreed a shirt sponsorship deal with the Qatar Foundation worth up to €170 million over 5 years, ending Barcelona's tradition of not accepting payment for sponsors displayed on their jersey.
On October 4th, 2011 the Wikimedia Foundation announced that they will be working with the Qatar Foundation to support the growth of the Arabic Wikipedia
.
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
ed, non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
in the state of Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
, founded in 1995 by decree of Sheikh
Sheikh
Not to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"...
Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and chaired by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned. Qatar Foundation's aim is to 'support Qatar on its journey from a carbon economy to a knowledge economy by unlocking human potential'.
Qatar Foundation carries out this mission through three strategic 'pillars': education, science and research, and community development. QF’s work in the education field has brought a number of international universities to Qatar to help develop an education sector in which young people can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge economy.
Its main science and research agenda is to build Qatar's innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercializing solutions through key sciences. Its community development programs aim to help foster a progressive society, while also enhancing the cultural landscape, protecting Qatar’s heritage and addressing immediate social needs in the community.
Joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
partnerships in the areas of design, ICT, telecommunications, policy studies and event management also contribute to fulfilling the objectives of Qatar Foundation.
Education
The Qatar Foundation is a non-governmental organization that consists of Qatar AcademyQatar Academy
Qatar Academy is a private, co-educational school in Doha, Qatar. It is an international school located in Qatar Foundation's Education City. It was founded in 1996 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar. The school offers the International Baccalaureate...
and Qatar Academy Al Khor which are K-12 schools that offer internationally accepted and comprehensive academic programs.
- The Academic Bridge Program is a post-secondary school program that helps students transition from high school to university.
- Awsaj Institute of Education is an educational program providing assistance and interventions to students who experience academic difficulties.
- Qatar Leadership Academy is a partnership between Qatar Foundation and Qatar's Armed Forces, which aims to encourage not only the academic but also the athletic, social and character development of its students.
There are branch campuses of eight strategically selected elite international universities at Education City
Education City
Education City is an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Located on the outskirts of Doha, the capital of Qatar, Education City covers 14 square kilometers and houses educational facilities from school age to research level and branch campi of some of...
(the education campus of Qatar Foundation):
- 1998 Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968...
in Qatar opened, offering programs in art and design. - 2002 Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar opened, offering a two year Pre-Medical Program and a four year Medical Program leading to an MD degree.
- 2003 Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
at Qatar opened, offering programs in chemical, electrical, petroleum and mechanical engineering. - 2004 Carnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
in Qatar opened, offering programs in computer science, business and information systems. - 2005 Georgetown School of Foreign Service in Qatar opened, offering programs in international affairs.
- 2008 Northwestern UniversityNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in Qatar opened, offering programs in journalism and communication. - 2011 HEC Paris in Qatar opened, offering executive education programs for mid-career and senior executives.
- 2011 UCLUCLUCL may refer to refer to:In education:* University College London, a public research university in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London* Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve and Brussels, Belgium...
Qatar opened, offering postgraduate qualifications in museum studies, conservation and archaeology in partnership with Qatar Museums AuthorityQatar Museums AuthorityThe Qatar Museums Authority is the peak body of museums in Qatar. The QMA was founded in late 2005, its CEO is Abdullah Al-Najjar. and since 2008 its director is Roger Mandle. The QMA was the bid leader for Qatar's successful candidature to join the UNESCO heritage panel in 2011...
. The first intake of students will be in August 2012.
These international establishments sit alongside QF's home-grown higher education center:
- Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies began its first graduate classes in the 2007-2008 academic year. An international center for Islamic thinking and dialogue, it aims to produce scholars who are grounded in Islamic faith, practice and civilization. It offers Masters degrees in Islamic Finance, Contemporary Islamic Studies and Islamic Public Policy.
Roughly half of university students are Qatari. Around 90 different nationalities are represented by the students, faculty and staff at Education City.
World Innovation Summit for Education
World Innovation Summit for Education
The World Innovation Summit for Education aims to transform education by fostering innovation and linking education to global issues and leading fields of development....
- WISE - is a global forum that brings together education stakeholders, opinion leaders and decision makers from all over the world to discuss educational issues. The first edition was held in Doha
Doha
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar...
, Qatar from November 16th to 18th 2009, the second from December 7th to 9th 2010. The third edition will be held from November 1st to 3rd 2011, during which the $500,000 WISE Prize for Education will be awarded to an individual or group.
Science and research
Qatar Foundation's main aim in this field is to help build Qatar’s innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercializing solutions in key sciences. QF is also developing a research strategy built on complementing Qatar-based research efforts with expertise from abroad, to build networks that provide home-grown solutions for Qatar and the region.A research division was established at Qatar Foundation in 2007 to manage developing a scientific community in Qatar. It has hosted several international conferences in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology and stem cell research.
Qatar Foundation's science and research projects include:
- Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) funds and supports original, competitively selected research by both local and international researchers for projects that fit with Qatar's national research strategy, and that incorporate a Qatar-based partner.
- Qatar Science & Technology ParkQatar Science & Technology ParkQatar Science & Technology Park is a home for international technology companies in Qatar, and an incubator of start-up technology businesses...
(QSTP) is a research and development hub and Qatar’s first free trade zone, and was inaugurated in March 2009. Over $300 million has been invested to create a world class facility. Tenants include: ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxon Mobil Corporation or ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company, and was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas...
, Royal Dutch ShellRoyal Dutch ShellRoyal Dutch Shell plc , commonly known as Shell, is a global oil and gas company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands and with its registered office in London, United Kingdom. It is the fifth-largest company in the world according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine and one of the six...
, TotalTotal-Mathematics:*Total, the summation of a set of numbers* Total function, a type of partial function in mathematics* Total order, a common total relation in mathematics* Total relation, a type of binary relation in mathematics-Business and enterprise:...
, Rolls-RoyceRolls-Royce plcRolls-Royce Group plc is a global power systems company headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines , and also has major businesses in the marine propulsion and energy sectors. Through its defence-related activities...
, EADSEADSThe European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. is a global pan-European aerospace and defence corporation and a leading defence and military contractor worldwide...
, and MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
. - Qatar Research Institutes – established in partnership with different national stakeholders to form a network of centers addressing the national needs of the state of Qatar. The three Research Institutes are:
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute
- Qatar Environmental and Energy Research Institute
- Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) which conducts world-class, multidisciplinary, applied computing research that is relevant to the needs of Qatar, the wider Arab region and the world, leveraging Qatar’s unique historical, linguistic and cultural heritage.
- Sidra Medical and Research Center', a new academic health science center endowed with $7.9 billion, due to open in 2012. Sidra will encompass clinical care, medical education and biomedical research.
Other science and research initiatives include:
- RANDRANDRAND Corporation is a nonprofit global policy think tank first formed to offer research and analysis to the United States armed forces by Douglas Aircraft Company. It is currently financed by the U.S. government and private endowment, corporations including the healthcare industry, universities...
Qatar Policy Institute which offers analysis of public policy problems and helps implement long-term solutions for clients across the region. - Qatar Science Leadership Program which aims to develop promising Qatari science graduates to become future research leaders by arranging internships.
- University research programs - the majority of the universities on the Qatar Foundation campus run their own research programs, often collaborating with QF's own applied research bodies to bring new ideas to commercialization.
- QF research programs - in addition to the university programs, QF has formed international partnerships, including with the James Baker InstituteJames Baker InstituteThe James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, often shortened to Baker Institute, is a think tank on the campus of Rice University in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1993, it has become a notable center of public policy research. It is named for James Baker, former United States Secretary of State...
for Public Policy (part of Rice UniversityRice UniversityWilliam Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
) and with the Royal SocietyRoyal SocietyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
. - Distinguished Lecture Series introduces Qatari students, researchers and the public to world-class science and scientists.
- Qscience.com publishes high quality, open-access, peer-reviewed research articles.
- Stars of Science is a reality show featuring young Arab innovators who compete to transform their ideas to marketable products.
In June 2011 Qatar Foundation hosted the seventh edition of the World Conference of Science Journalists, which had been scheduled to be held in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
but was moved to Doha as a result of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution
2011 Egyptian revolution
The 2011 Egyptian revolution took place following a popular uprising that began on Tuesday, 25 January 2011 and is still continuing as of November 2011. The uprising was mainly a campaign of non-violent civil resistance, which featured a series of demonstrations, marches, acts of civil...
.
Community Development
Qatar Foundation's community development initiatives fall into three categories - fostering a progressive society; enhancing our cultural life and protecting Qatar’s heritage; and addressing immediate social needs in the community.Fostering a progressive society appropriate to the knowledge economy:
- The Doha Debates, a Qatar Foundation initiative, are filmed at Education City and broadcast by BBC World.
- Lakom Al Karar (‘the decision is yours’) a national televised discussion program with politicians.
- QatarDebateQatardebateQatarDebate, a member of Qatar Foundation and the National Debating Organisation for Qatar, is a civic engagement initiative which aims to develop and support the standard of open discussion and debate among students and young people in Qatar and the broader Arab world.- Founding :QatarDebate was...
offers debate workshops and competitions to raise the standards of open discussion among students in Qatar. It hosted the World Schools Debating Championship in 2010. - Qatar Career Fair, an annual event showcasing the range of career orientation, education, employment, training and development opportunities available to Qatari students and graduates.
Enhancing cultural life and protecting Qatar's heritage:
- Al Jazeera Children's ChannelAl Jazeera Children's ChannelAl Jazeera Children's Channel is a Pan-Arab edutainment channel addressing an audience between 7 and 15 years old. With the mission to encourage the love of learning and discovery, JCC is dedicated to create & provide quality programs that enlighten the child’s mind.This goal is realized by...
is part of Qatar Foundation and is broadcast from Education City along with its pre-school sister Arabic channel, Baraem. - Al ShaqabAl ShaqabAl Shaqab is Qatar Foundation’s visionary equestrian center in the State of Qatar, where world-class facilities combine with the rich traditions of Arabian horses. Founded in 1992 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, Al Shaqab joined QF in 2004...
is an equine education resource centre. Among its many equestrian amenities are a riding academy, an endurance training complex and a centre for the breeding and showing of world-class Arabian horses - Arab and Islamic Heritage Library holds a prized collection of books, periodicals, manuscripts, maps and scientific instruments dating back to the 15th century
- Mathaf - the Arab Museum of Modern Art was opened in 2010 in association with Qatar Museum Authority and is host to exhibitions, programs and events that explore and celebrate art by Arab artists
- Msheireb is a commercial development south of the Diwan area, showcasing best practice architecture in rebuilding a new heart for the city. This project, originally called "Heart of Doha" was renamed "Msheireb" in reference to the historical name of the area.
- Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 2008 and consists of 101 musicians. It aims to enhance musical culture in Qatar and beyond.
Addressing immediate social needs in the community:
- Reach Out To AsiaReach Out To AsiaReach Out To Asia is a Qatari-based non-profit organization that empowers local communities by providing access to quality primary and secondary education to children affected by crisis across Asia...
(ROTA) is a charity initiative focused on assisting community development projects in Asian countries. It has responded to crises in places such as: PakistanPakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, LebanonLebanonLebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, and GazaGazaGaza , also referred to as Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, with a population of about 450,000, making it the largest city in the Palestinian territories.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,...
. - Qatar Diabetes Association offers programs and services to people coping with diabetes, a prominent problem in the Middle East region.
- Social Development Center runs targeted community programs to help Qatari families achieve self-reliance. It promotes the building of stable and self-sufficient families by offering workplace training and engendering a positive work ethic in low-income families, women and young people.
- The Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development conducts research and promotes scholarship on the legal, sociological, and scientific basis of the natural family as the fundamental unit of society.
Joint Ventures
QF Link is lameA need for certain specialized skills has been identified within Qatar's economy. While Qatar Foundation can procure services from outside the region to meet short-term needs, it believes that the future lies in building local expertise so that Qatar can achieve sustainability.
Qatar Foundation has therefore established a number of commercial joint ventures with global partners. Profits generated are shared by both parties, with Qatar Foundation's share being ploughed back into its core not-for-profit activities.
- Fitch Qatar is a joint venture design company that creates brands and develops corporate identities for businesses and other organizations.
- Qatar MICE Development Institute (QMDI) is a joint venture with Singex Global bringing excellence in managing conferences, conventions and other events.
- Qatar National Convention Centre (under construction) is expected to be inaugurated in 2011. It will provide world-class convention facilities including a 2300-seat auditorium.
- Vodafone Qatar the second mobile operator in Qatar launched March 2009.
- MEEZA is an IT service provider catering to businesses that seek quality and agile driven solutions.
- Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) is building a production plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City that will produce an initial 4,000 metric tons of polysilicon every year.
- Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation PublishingBloomsbury Qatar Foundation PublishingBloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing is a joint venture owned by Qatar Foundation and managed by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Established in October 2008 and headquartered in Doha, BQFP is Qatar’s first publishing house...
publishes books in ArabicArabic languageArabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
and English to promote literacy culture throughout the region. - Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Journals is an Open AccessOpen accessOpen access refers to unrestricted access via the Internet to articles published in scholarly journals, and also increasingly to book chapters or monographs....
Peer ReviewPeer reviewPeer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
academic publisher that will make research from the region available to the rest of the world.
Sponsorship
On 10 December 2010 FC BarcelonaFC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
announced it had agreed a shirt sponsorship deal with the Qatar Foundation worth up to €170 million over 5 years, ending Barcelona's tradition of not accepting payment for sponsors displayed on their jersey.
On October 4th, 2011 the Wikimedia Foundation announced that they will be working with the Qatar Foundation to support the growth of the Arabic Wikipedia
Arabic Wikipedia
The Arabic Wikipedia is the Arabic language version of Wikipedia. It started on 9 July 2003. As of September 2011, it has over 150,000 articles, 400,000 registered users and over 11,000 images...
.