HEC Paris Middle East cohort celebrated at main campus commencement ceremony
Tribune News Network
Doha
HEC Paris, one of the world's top-ranked business schools, recently hosted its annual graduation ceremony at the institution's main campus in near Paris. The commencement celebrated the achievements of 148 graduates from the Executive MBA (EMBA) and the Specialized Master's in Strategic Business Unit Management (SBUM) programs, marking the largest and most diverse graduating cohorts in the history of HEC Paris in the Gulf.
The Class of 2025 reflects the growing regional footprint of HEC Paris, which has operated in the Middle East for over 15 years. Of the graduates, 73% were Gulf nationals and 40% were women. The diversity of the graduating class underscores the school's continued commitment to inclusive excellence and to developing globally minded leaders in the region.
Ahead of the official ceremony, HEC Paris, Doha hosted a dedicated GCC reception to celebrate the Class of 2025 and to foster cross-cohort networking and community-building among alumni, faculty, and regional stakeholders. Held at the HEC Alumni Association building, the reception was hosted by Dr. Pablo Martin de Holan, Dean of HEC Paris, Doha and attended by their excellencies, the ambassadors of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with other distinguished guests. The event highlighted the institution's ongoing commitment to strengthening ties between Paris and the Gulf through purpose-driven leadership, lifelong learning, and impactful business education.
The gathering marked the beginning of a new tradition - celebrating the growing legacy of HEC Paris in the Middle East while reinforcing the bonds within its global alumni network of over 83,000 professionals. This dynamic community continues to offer graduates access to knowledge, opportunity, and support as they pursue lasting impact in their organisations and societies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
World Bank projects Qatar's growth to accelerate to 6.5%
QNA DOHA The World Bank projected that the economic growth in the State of Qatar is to remain stable at 2.4% in 2025, before accelerating to an average of 6.5% in 2026-2027 due to the expansion of LNG capacity. These improved prospects are supported by strong non-hydrocarbon growth, particularly in education, tourism, and services, the World Bank said in its report 'Gulf Economic Update.' The hydrocarbon sector is expected to growth timidly in 2025 (0.9%), before undergoing a significant boost in 2026 thanks to the North Field LNG expansion coming online, supporting a 40% rise in LNG output. Non-hydrocarbon growth is expected to remain robust thanks to infrastructure upgrades and international investments, the report said. 'Economic growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is projected to increase in the medium-term to 3.2% in 2025 and 4.50% in 2026. This growth is likely to be driven by the expected rollback of OPEC+ oil production cuts and robust expansion of non-oil sectors,' according to the to the latest edition of the report, regional growth was 1.7% in 2024 – an improvement from 0.3% in 2023. The non-hydrocarbon sector remained resilient, expanding by 3.7% — largely fueled by private consumption, investment, and structural reforms across the GCC. At the same time, global trade uncertainty presents challenges, as a global economic slowdown remains a key downside risk for the region. To mitigate these risks, GCC countries need to accelerate economic diversification reforms and strengthen regional trade. 'The resilience of GCC countries in navigating global uncertainties while advancing economic diversification underscores their strong commitment to long-term prosperity,' Division Director for the GCC countries at the World Bank Safaa El Tayeb El-Kogali said. 'Strategic fiscal policies, targeted investments, and a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation for youth are essential to sustaining growth and stability,' she added.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
QF's Mehnaty and Al Meydan programmes create pathways to purposeful careers for students
Tribune News Network Doha At Qatar Foundation (QF), education doesn't start and finish at the classroom door. Through internship programmes like Mehnaty and Al Meydan, university students are gaining practical, hands-on experience that complements their academic journeys – and prepares them for an ever-evolving job market. Available to QF university students, Mehnaty is a work-study programme offering part-time, paid opportunities for students to contribute to QF centres and departments, while Al Meydan is an internship programme that places students in hands-on roles related to their fields of study, giving them valuable professional experience. Ahmad Kareem, head of Student Support and Outreach, Higher Education Division, QF, said: 'What makes these programmes so powerful is Qatar Foundation's unique ecosystem, which consists of a shared campus bringing together several world-class universities, leading research institutes, startup incubators, and corporate entities. This close proximity has created an environment students can seamlessly connect with a diverse range of internship and work-study opportunities, without ever leaving campus. 'Through this setting, both programmes aim to equip students with practical experience and professional readiness, foster initiative and a strong work ethic, and develop local talent across a wide range of sectors.' Roles available through Mehnaty and Al Meydan span a wide range of fields, including administrative support, research assistance, communications, event coordination, IT and digital innovation, creative design, library services, and sustainability-focused projects. Maryam Mostafawi, a student at QF partner university Northwestern University in Qatar, participated in the Al Meydan initiative and spent three months working in the Multimedia Department within QF's communications team. 'It was like the first time I'd ever worked in a formal setting, so it really helped me build the confidence I needed. I obviously need confidence to work, but I also needed it at university. Now, I'm more comfortable sharing my opinions and speaking in public,' said Mostafawi. 'I also learned how a department operates and how a creative team functions. Beyond that, I gained real, practical skills – like conducting in-depth research, using Excel, and carrying out interviews.' Mostafawi explained that the internship also played a pivotal role in shaping her future path, reaffirming her desire to pursue a career in a creative field with the goal of eventually teaching – inspired by the influence of her advisor. Abdullah Alokar, a student at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, participated in the Mehnaty programme, working in the Outreach and Initiatives Department within QF's communications team. 'My internship was transformative in developing my professional capabilities. The experience enhanced my ability to work effectively under pressure and thrive in team-based environments, while the communication-focused nature of the role strengthened my interpersonal skills,' Alokar said. 'Under the exceptional mentorship of Leena, I discovered my passion for this career path and gained valuable insights from her expertise. The constant interaction with diverse individuals prepared me perfectly for my current position, where relationship-building and communication remain central to my daily responsibilities. This internship laid the foundation for my professional growth and continues to influence my approach to work.' According to Kareem, Mehnaty and Al Meydan play a key role in QF's vision of producing graduates who are capable, confident, and ready to contribute meaningfully to Qatar's development and the wider world. 'In essence, the QF ecosystem is not just a place of learning - it's a dynamic launchpad where students become professionals, innovators, and leaders,' he said.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
World Bank projects Qatar's economy to grow at 6.5% in 2026-2027
RIYADH: The World Bank has projected that the economic growth in the State of Qatar is to remain stable at 2.4% in 2025, before accelerating to an average of 6.5% in 2026-2027 due to the expansion of LNG capacity. These improved prospects are supported by strong non-hydrocarbon growth, particularly in education, tourism, and services, the World Bank said in its report"Gulf Economic Update." The hydrocarbon sector is expected to growth timidly in 2025 (0.9%), before undergoing a significant boost in 2026 thanks to the North Field LNG expansion coming online, supporting a 40% rise in LNG output. Non-hydrocarbon growth is expected to remain robust thanks to infrastructure upgrades and international investments, the report said. "Economic growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is projected to increase in the medium-term to 3.2% in 2025 and 4.50% in 2026. This growth is likely to be driven by the expected rollback of OPEC+ oil production cuts and robust expansion of non-oil sectors," according to the report. According to the latest edition of the report, regional growth was 1.7% in 2024 – an improvement from 0.3% in 2023. The non-hydrocarbon sector remained resilient, expanding by 3.7% — largely fueled by private consumption, investment, and structural reforms across the GCC. At the same time, global trade uncertainty presents challenges, as a global economic slowdown remains a key downside risk for the region. To mitigate these risks, GCC countries need to accelerate economic diversification reforms and strengthen regional trade. "The resilience of GCC countries in navigating global uncertainties while advancing economic diversification underscores their strong commitment to long-term prosperity,"Division Director for the GCC countries at the World Bank Safaa El Tayeb El-Kogali said. "Strategic fiscal policies, targeted investments, and a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation for youth are essential to sustaining growth and stability," she added.
