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HISTORY
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development was founded in 1995 by decree of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar. This was one of his early initiatives, a testament to the importance attached to Qatar Foundation's mission of creating human capital and building a knowledge-based society.
Chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, consort, Qatar Foundation has grown to more than 30 member organizations that are committed to excellence in aspects of education, scientific research and community development.
The Qatar Diabetes Association and the Social Development Center, created in 1995, were the first initiatives targeted at improving the quality of life of particular social groups. The Learning Center and Qatar Academy were the first educational organizations to open in 1996.
In 1998, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar was the first universities to begin delivering its world-class degree programs. Since then, five additional universities have joined and the far-reaching vision of an entire Education City has become a reality.
Qatar Foundation's commitment to improving people's well-being is shown in its investment in healthcare. Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar began training doctors in 2002, the first cohort of which was qualified in May 2008.
In Qatar Foundation's second decade its important research mission is coming to the fore. The creation of new knowledge is central to the overriding mission of building a knowledge-based society.
The Qatar National Research Fund, created at Education City in 2007, dispenses financing to worthy projects that will expand the frontiers of knowledge and benefit the people of Qatar.
Much of the research will find its way to commercialization, and the Qatar Science and Technology Park, opening in 2008, is aimed at promoting this process and helping diversify the country's economy.
Education City is also a major construction site, and work on its 2,500-acre campus continues apace. In the coming years a series of impressive, futuristic buildings and open spaces will complete the built environment of this hub of scholarship and research.