Advisor to the Emir speaks about Qatar’s future

DOHA, QATAR – Dr. Ibrahim Ibrahim, Secretary General of the General Secretariat for Development Planning and Economic Advisor to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, addressed a 200 strong audience of students, faculty and staff from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and its compatriot universities at Qatar Foundation’s Education City about the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the implementation of the National Development Strategy. Carnegie Mellon Qatar had organized the lecture as part of its commitment to support the implementation of the country’s national vision.

“Carnegie Mellon University is fully committed to the country’s vision and mission,” said G. Richard Tucker, Dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar in his opening remarks. “Through the programs that we offer and through the work of our dedicated faculty in Qatar, our objectives are to respond to the country’s demands and growth positioning ourselves to contribute maximally to the implementation of QNV 2030 and to provide maximal impact on the implementation and sustainability of the Four Pillars through our teaching, our research and our community service.”

According to Mark Kamlet, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Provost of Carnegie Mellon University, the university has made significant achievements since its establishment at Education City in 2004. “Through the vision of His Highness the Emir and Her Highness Sheikha Moza, Qatar has chosen to invest in a path of education to drive the development of its people. Carnegie Mellon University is honored to be a part of this exciting journey. We have been a great source of excellence in education, innovation and research, and our contributions to the country’s development in educating the country’s youth have been impactful.”

“For the past few years, Carnegie Mellon has been expanding and working hard on achieving its goals. What we have done is only the beginning and the best is yet to come, in terms of what Carnegie Mellon in Qatar is planning for the nation’s next generation,” he added.

After the opening remarks, Dr. Ibrahim took the stage and delivered a presentation on the Qatar National Development Strategy and its pathway to the Qatar National Vision 2030. In his presentation, Dr. Ibrahim discussed the implementation of the plans, their importance in developing the country, and their contributions to the human, economic, social and environmental development of the country.

“Qatar is in the spotlight now more than ever,” said Dr. Ibrahim. “Our small yet progressive nation has made significant developments in so many fields both locally and regionally – medicine, business, sports, research and education – many of these developments having global impact. By winning the bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the doors have opened wide to many more opportunities for our country’s development and the impact we can have on the world. And here is where the role of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 can be called upon. QNV 2030 defines the long-term outcomes for the country rather than the process for reaching these outcomes. The vision provides a framework within which national strategies can carefully and wisely be developed, seizing every opportunity to benefit our country’s future.”

Dr. Ibrahim continued: “Qatar’s strategic planning aims to provide high standards of living for its people and the future of our country, while preserving the country’s traditions and culture. In line with Qatar’s senior leadership’s resolve to see the country continue on its path of development and growth, the Qatar National Vision 2030 was formulated in 2008 to set the foundation for sustainable economic, social, cultural and environmental development.”

In his presentation, Dr. Ibrahim described the importance of Qatar planning its economic and social progress based on the key development pillars of the National Vision and what is important to the welfare of the nation’s youth – human, social, environmental and economic.

To achieve the ambitious objectives of the QNV 2030, the GSDP with 13 ministers and more than 200 Qatari officials, together with National and international experts led the development of the first National Development Strategy 2011-2016.

“The National Development Strategy will define the priorities, directions, and processes to reach the ambitious development outcomes highlighted in the QNV 2030,” said Dr. Ibrahim.

“The National Development Strategy will provide the medium-term framework for aligned sector and enterprise strategies containing various plans, programs and projects.” The Strategy will identify programs and projects – including regulatory and institutional reforms – that will nurture a thriving and vibrant society.

“Education will be a big focus of the National Development Strategy. Providing universal access to high quality education, creating opportunities to foster talent outside the standard academic curriculum, leveraging technology to secure a better learning environment, developing a modern monitoring and support system for students, incorporating training and continuous education opportunities – these are all critical to developing our country’s youth and ensuring a successful implementation of the plan,” added Dr. Ibrahim. The session ended with a question and answer session.