Quick Facts

Overview:

• Founded by decree of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar in1995 and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned
  
• Qatar Foundation projects focus on education, scientific research and community development.  It is also engaged in several corporate joint ventures
  
• Education City is Qatar Foundation's flagship project and covers over 14 million square meters

Education:

• Qatar Academy is K-12 school that offers internationally accepted and comprehensive academic programs
  
• The Academic Bridge Program is post secondary school program that helps students transition from high school to university
  
• QatarDebate offers debate workshops and competitions to raise the standards of open discussion among students in Qatar.  It will host the World Schools Debating Championship in 2010
  
• There are 6 world-renowned universities at Education City:
  
• 1998    Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar opened offering programs in    
  arts and design
  2002    Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar opened
  2003    Texas A&M University at Qatar opened offering programs in engineering
  2004    Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar opened offering programs in   
  computer science, business and information systems
  2005    Georgetown School of Foreign Service in Qatar opened offering
  programs in international affairs
  2008    Northwestern University in Qatar opened offering programs in journalism
  and communication
  
• The Faculty of Islamic Studies began its first graduate classes in the 2007-2008 academic year 2008 also witnessed the first classes taught in the new Texas A&M at Qatar Engineering Building and the first graduates from Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Texas A&M at Qatar and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar
  
• Roughly half of university students are Qatari. More than  45 different nationalities are represented by the students, faculty and staff at Education City

Research:

• Research division at Qatar Foundation was established to manage developing a scientific community in Qatar.  It has hosted several international conferences in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology and stem cell research
  
• Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) was established in 2006 to support research efforts and advance scientific exploration
  
• RAND Qatar Policy Institute offers analysis of public policy problems and helps implement long-term solutions for clients across the region
  
• Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) is a research and development hub and Qatar's first free trade zone it will be inaugurated in March 2009. Over $300 million has been invested to create a world class facility. Tenants include ExxonMobil, Shell, Total, Rolls-Royce, EADS and Microsoft
  
• Construction of Sidra Medical and Research Center; a new specialty teaching hospital endowed with $7.9 billion; begun in 2008. Sidra will encompass clinical care, medical education and biomedical research
  

Community Development:

• Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) is a charity initiative focused on assisting community development projects in Asian countries.  It has responded to crises in places such as: Pakistan, Indonesia, Lebanon and Gaza
  
• Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 2008 and consists of 101 musicians.  It aims to enhance musical culture in Qatar and beyond
  
• Al Jazeera Children's Channel is part of Qatar Foundation and is broadcast from Education City
  
• The Doha Debates, a Qatar Foundation initiative, are filmed at Education City and broadcast by BBC World
  
• Stars of Science is a reality show featuring young Arab innovators who compete to transform their ideas to marketable products
  
• Another broadcasting venture is Lakom Al Karar ('the decision is yours') a national televised discussion program with politicians in the country
  
• Other Qatar Foundation community development centers include: Qatar Diabetes Society, Social Development Center, Cultural Development Center, Al Shaqab and Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development
  

Joint Ventures:

• Fitch Qatar is a joint venture design company that creates brands and develops corporate identities for businesses and other organizations
  
• Qatar MICE Development Institute (QMDI) is a joint venture with Singex Global bringing excellence in managing conferences, conventions and other events
  
• Qatar National Convention Centre is currently under construction and is expected to be inaugurated in 2011 and will provide world-class convention facilities including a 2300-seat auditorium
  
• Vodafone Qatar will be the second mobile operator in Qatar by March 2009
  
• MEEZA is an IT service provider catering to businesses that seek quality and agile driven solutions
  
• Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing will publish books in Arabic and English to promote literacy culture throughout the region