Qatargas executives wrap up first cycle of Executive Education initiative with Carnegie Mellon

The Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar created the Qatargas Leadership Program curriculum tailored to the unique needs of Qatargas.

The Qatargas program was specifically designed to support the realization and achievement of leadership excellence for the company. The modules were built around the Qatargas leadership framework and high-growth business context according to the company's fast-changing business.

"Qatargas has committed to a vision of becoming the world's premier LNG company. We have the resources and the will to make this a reality. In the next three to four years we will have four times our current operating capacity exporting gas to three continents. During the same period, it is also becoming clear that the world economy will experience unprecedented stresses and strains,"

says Faisal Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatargas.

The Executive Education program for Qatargas consisted of seven modules that ran during 2008. They included sessions on a variety of topics including global competitiveness, smart value creation, team collaboration, strategic cost management, leadership networks and international business building.

"To negotiate the obstacles and seize the opportunities that exist in such periods of major change, we understand the importance of building leadership capability throughout our organization. Leadership for me is the ability to energize people and build relationships of value both within the company and outside it, with our business partners, our suppliers, our communities and our customers. To enhance our business position in the current economic situation and deal successfully with the challenges ahead, our company's leaders need to be exposed to cutting-edge thinking and best business practices. We value our relationship with Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business in helping Qatargas achieve that level of readiness." says Al Suwaidi.

Carnegie Mellon University provides Executive Education programs to corporations and organizations all over the world. The mission of Executive Education is to disseminate practical, research-based management knowledge and create a collaborative loop between Carnegie Mellon faculty and business leaders. Executive Education programs also are a vital component in Carnegie Mellon Qatar's role in shaping Qatar into a knowledge-based society.

"Qatargas is such an important part of what drives the nation of Qatar. That makes it a particular privilege for us to work with them on executive education, tailored to its corporate needs. We hope this is just the beginning of a long partnership between Carnegie Mellon and Qatargas, in research, education and roles for our alumni,"

says Charles E. Thorpe, Ph.D., Dean of Carnegie Mellon Qatar.

The second cycle of the Qatargas Leadership Program will commence in January 2009, expanding knowledge to a new class of corporate leaders.