General Secretariat for Development Planning Signs MoU with HEC Paris in Qatar

Doha, May 06 (QNA) - The General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP) announced Sunday the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Paris (HEC) in Qatar, a school specialized in management education and research, with the goal of setting up a framework for partnership and cooperation between the two signatories. The Memorandum identified an agreement to cooperate in support of national skills through teaching and training, and further in the field of scientific research in addition to conducting strategic studies that are in accordance with the requirements of the National Development Strategy 2011-2016. It also highlights the need for both parties to present the necessary technical support to the programs and projects included in the strategy. Upon the signing, GSDP Secretary-General HE Dr. Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabet and Dean of HEC Paris Professor Bernard Ramanantsoa expressed pride in the partnership's role which follows and supports Qatar's growth and development. "This Memorandum of Understanding falls within the policy pursued by the GSDP to build strategic partnerships with specialized institutions of training and development, including universities, to contribute to the achievement of the aspirations and goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030," said Al Nabet. Such partnerships contribute to the provision of technical support and develop the necessary skills to implement the various projects and programs of the National Development Strategy 2011-2016, he underlined. Al Nabet described the MoU as a major achievement which will contribute to the betterment of the country and its community, adding that HEC Paris in Qatar is known for its practical research, and for its educational and training programs, especially in executive education. These programs enable Qatari business and management professionals to compete in the international labor market, keeping them abreast with the growth and development in Qatar, he indicated. HEC Paris, which has launched Qatar s first international Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) in February 2011, is one of the most prominent universities in the field of executive education specialized in business and sciences administration, offering unique educational curricula and training programs designed to combine theory and practice with the latest executive training methodology, HE the Secretary-General said. The Memorandum will come into effect upon signing, the GSDP's role is to coordinate with universities to understand their training and practical capabilities and benefit in the skillset and strategy building fields observing the best means of implementing them, Al Nabet explained. From his part, Ramanantsoa added, "On behalf of HEC Paris I would like to praise the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development for their unflinching support of education in Qatar that makes this signing possible." The HEC Dean expressed his pride to partner with the Qatar Foundation and participate in the renaissance witnessed by the State of Qatar. "I and my colleagues are very pleased to be here for this signing. A number of us have flown in from France as we appreciate the importance of this event and because we are very keen, as an institution, to actively participate in the execution of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the national development strategy through its four pillars of human development, economic development, social development and environmental development," he said. The GSDP is a governmental agency mandated to draw a national development vision for Qatar, what became the Qatar National Vision 2030. It is responsible for the analysis of important topics related to Qatar s National Development priorities and monitors regional and international progress that can influence Qatar s National Development efforts. (QNA)