QF Launches Leadership Training With Oxford University

Doha, January 22 (QNA) - Qatar Foundation (QF) for Education, Science and Community Development has launched an exclusive training programme, designed to further enhance the expertise of top tier managers and improve efficiency across the organisation. In partnership with the University of Oxford's prestigious Said Business School, the Leadership Development Programmme has been adapted to suit QF's strategic goals, the Foundation said in a media statement Tuesday. The programme will provide the QF's most experienced managers with a new approach and way of thinking that can help them tackle complex challenges and implement positive change. Participants come from various sectors across QF, including science, research, education, community development, capital projects, and administration. The programme was unveiled today at a launch event, held at Qatar National Convention Centre, where the primary objectives of the course were presented to 25 senior managers. QF Human Resources Executive Director Hassan Al Hammadi told participants that he was confident the six-month programme would improve synergy between the QF's numerous departments and provide plenty of opportunities for individuals to work together. "We chose Oxford University after evaluating four other executive development programmes and found that Said Business School was the most responsive to the needs and requirements of our organisation," said Al Hammadi. "Our aim was to bring senior management together so they could speak one language, have one vision, and deliver towards the strategic objectives of QF. We developed a course that suits the needs of all participants and is primarily activity-based with group projects and discussions being the main focus. "Trainees will also receive support through extensive one-to-one coaching.Participants will be required to attend four module sessions that are split between the UK and Doha. Each segment will last four to five days, giving trainees sufficient time to attend to their busy work schedules." QF Vice President of Administration Rashid Al Naimi highlighted the importance of this project and urged participants to share their feedback by identifying challenges and proposing solutions to implement best practice. "We are bringing you here today with a unified strategy in mind that will help us minimise any present gaps. I encourage you to make the most of this experience and give us your feedback on how to improve, because there is always room for improvement," said Al Naimi. "We need to start preparing our leaders today or else we may not meet our future objectives." During the orientation session, trainees were divided into groups of five and each team was assigned a coach from the business school. John Denton, lead coach and co-programme director, explained that the format of the modules would not involve tutors giving long lectures, but rather working alongside every member of the group to help them find their own solutions. "We will raise questions and we will think about the challenges that you will face, then we will work together to find the answers. It is very much us working alongside you as your guides, as your coaches, as your tutors because it is together that we have to make this pioneering journey," said Denton. QF's Capital Projects Technical Director Jassim Telefat expressed his pleasure at being part of such an engaging executive programme. "What I feel is especially exciting and unique about this programme is that we are working together as one organisation to achieve our common goals and targets this is what makes it very unique," said Telefat. The first Qatar Foundation Leadership Development Programme will end in June, and the following one is expected to start in September 2013. In 1996, Oxford's vision for a business school became reality with a founding donation from businessman Wafic Said. Since then, the Said Business School has quickly established itself as one of the foremost business schools in the world. It ranked first for executive education in the UK and seventh globally in the latest Financial Times rankings. (END)