The National Planning Council has been a strong supporter of CMU-Q students for more than a decade.
The National Planning Council has been a strong supporter of CMU-Q students for more than a decade.

CMU-Q hosts secretary general to discuss Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy

Qatar National Planning Council focuses on a future-ready workforce

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, a partner university of Qatar Foundation, hosted His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the Qatar National Planning Council, to discuss the third stage of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The lecture, titled, “Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy,” marked the first installment of the CMU-Q Dean’s Lecture Series this year.

The dean of CMU-Q, Michael Trick, welcomed His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz and remarked on the long-term support provided by His Excellency and the Qatar National Planning Council. The very first CMU-Q Dean’s Lecture, in 2011 was delivered by then-secretary general of the National Planning Council, Dr. Ibrahim Ibrahim, to discuss the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016. Later that year, CMU-Q signed its first memorandum of understanding with the Planning Council.

“For nearly 15 years, the National Planning Council has been an integral part of the annual CMU-Q research symposium, Meeting of the Minds,” he said. “Each year, they sponsor a special category at Meeting of the Minds for projects that contribute to the Qatar National Vision 2030. This adds an important dimension to Meeting of the Minds, showing students how their work could have a national impact.” 

Dean Michael Trick thanks His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa after the lecture.

Dean Michael Trick thanks His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa after the lecture.

“National Development Strategies are all about trade-offs, what options we take, and what decisions we make,” began His Excellency, as he outlined the ambitious development path designed to provide a high standard of living for current and future generations living in Qatar. 

During his lecture, His Excellency explained the four developmental pillars – human, social, economic, and environmental – alongside the three key stages: ‘building the oil and gas sector and creating national leaders’, ‘building world-class infrastructure’ and ‘building a knowledge-based society and economy’. The latter stage has been the focus of the National Planning Council since 2024 and is built around seven national priorities, including a future ready workforce. 

This priority was discussed further during a question-and-answer session, where CMU-Q students were given the opportunity to gain further insights from His Excellency. One student asked how the National Planning Council plans to grow the private sector and attract skilled workers to Qatar. 

In response, His Excellency highlighted the importance of the private sector in the Third National Development Strategy, which works to enhance innovation and open the market for a suitably skilled workforce to join Qatar. He explained that the council is, “empowering the right workforce to exist and flourish, not only to serve Qatar, but to serve the region.”

His Excellency closed the lecture by emphasizing the importance of collaborating and encouraging each other to achieve this vision. “The power of a group is much more impactful, bigger, and better,” he concluded.  

The CMU-Q Dean’s Lecture Series provides a space for business leaders and representatives of government, the private sector, and academia, to discuss pressing issues that affect Qatar, the region and the world. .

CMU-Q offers undergraduate programs in biological sciences, business administration, computer science, and information systems.

 

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