Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie founded the university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in 1900. His vision was to educate the sons and daughters of the immigrant steelworkers in the Pittsburgh region.
In Qatar
Today, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned shares a similar vision of education for Qatar that Andrew Carnegie had for Pittsburgh. Realizing that vision, she founded Education City as a way to provide the best educational and research opportunities to young people in Qatar and the surrounding region.
At the invitation of Qatar Foundation, Carnegie Mellon joined Education City in 2004. Here, Qatar Foundation has created a world-class center for scholarship and research that is the ideal complement to Carnegie Mellon's tradition of innovation through collaboration.
Education City is a 2,500-acre multiversity on the outskirts of Doha, Qatar. In addition to Carnegie Mellon, Education City is home to branch campuses of prestigious universities including Northwestern University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Georgetown School of Foreign Services, Virginia Commonwealth University and Texas A&M University.
Each university was hand picked to offer some of their most renowned programs. Through a unique agreement, students enrolled at any Education City universities may cross register for classes at all of the others. This partnership creates a collegiate environment where students, faculty, staff and community members come together in the joint pursuit of learning. Education City also houses Qatar Science and Technology Park, the Faculty of Islamic Studies, RAND-Qatar Policy Institute, Academic Bridge Program, Sidra Medical & Research Center, Al Jazeera Children’s Channel, Doha Debates, and Al Shaqab Equestrian Center.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Since its founding in 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, Carnegie Mellon University has been a pragmatic institution, adapting rapidly to change. In fewer than 100 years it has changed its name three times - each transition marking a milestone in the institution's 20th century evolution.
Whether it was Carnegie Technical Schools, as it was in its first 12 years; Carnegie Institute of Technology, its name from 1912 to 1967; or Carnegie Mellon University, three primary purposes formed its foundation.
- Delivering distinctive and first-quality education
- Fostering research, creativity and discovery
- Using the new knowledge created on campus to serve our larger society.
In its earliest years, the institution served primarily part-time and undergraduate students. The faculty, many of whom did not have doctor's degrees, focused on teaching and curriculum development. But research efforts began as early as 1916 when the Division of Applied Psychology of the Carnegie Institute of Technology developed rating scales for job placement. This rating system was used to classify two million men for placement in the armed forces during World War I. Research bureaus were organized in coal mining, nuclear physics, applied chemistry and metallurgy.
Over the years Carnegie Mellon's leaders have reflected Andrew Carnegie's original dedication and commitment to this institution. In his 1900 letter to the mayor of Pittsburgh establishing Carnegie Technical Schools, Andrew Carnegie wrote, "My heart is in the work."
Read Carnegie Mellon University History for more information.
