CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Doha, Qatar Information

 Qatar also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is an Arab emirate, in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Qatar has been ruled as a monarchy by the Al Thani family since the mid-19th century. Noted mainly for pearling, Qatar became independent in 1971, and has become one of the region's wealthiest states due to its enormous oil and natural gas revenues. Qatar was the venue of the 2006 Asian Games and the host country of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

 

His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, who assumed power in 1995, played a major role in modernizing the country. Qatar has the world's largest per capita production and proven reserves of both oil and natural gas. In 2010, Qatar had the world's highest GDP per capita, while the economy grew by 19.40%, the fastest in the world. The main drivers for this rapid growth are attributed to ongoing increases in production and exports of liquefied natural gas, oil, petrochemicals and related industries.

 

The capital of Qatar, Doha, is the hub of all commercial, cultural, and financial institutions.  Famous for its iron, steel, and oil refining industries Mesaieed was the first industrial city to develop following the discovery of oil in the country. Considered one of the biggest industrial cities in the world, Ras Laffan has the largest gas exportation seaport and gas liquefaction plants in the Gulf region.

 

Qatar Today

In 2001 Qatar hosted the World Trade Organization Conference and major development in the form of hotels and infrastructure was undertaken for the 15th Asian Games in 2006. Qatar is a member of the UN, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Arab League, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). As such, within the space of 70 years, Qatar has emerged from the virtual anonymity of its past to become a regional force to be reckoned with. Monuments to that achievement are found symbolically in the country’s modern infrastructure and its social welfare programs. But also, perhaps for the first time in its history, they’re also found in a tangible, physical sense, by the growing ring of magnificent buildings that grace Doha’s corniche, and in the high-profile events that the country hosts, such as the Asian Games of 2006. [Adapted from Lonely Planet]

 

Read more about Qatari Culture here http://www.qatartourism.gov.qa/pillars/index/1/culture/225

 

Qatar Foundation

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) aims to support Qatar on its journey from a carbon economy to a knowledge economy by unlocking human potential.

QF was established in 1995 by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. His wife, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, is the organization’s chairperson and driving force.

 

Branch Campus Information

With “unlocking human potential” as its core message, Qatar Foundation has assembled six leading universities to educate students who are destined to be leaders in the workplace, community, and the world: Virginia Commonwealth University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Texas A&M University, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, and Northwestern University.

 Additional information about the Branch Campuses can be found via the links below.

Virginia Commonwealth University http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/

Weill Cornell Medical College http://qatar-weill.cornell.edu/

Texas A&M University http://www.qatar.tamu.edu/

Carnegie Mellon University http://www.qatar.cmu.edu/

Georgetown University http://qatar.sfs.georgetown.edu/

Northwestern University http://www.qatar.northwestern.edu/