Carnegie Mellon Qatar's new building officially inaugurated benefiting students from UAE

Already home to numerous students from the United Arab Emirates, these world class facilities are set to attract even more students from the UAE.

H.H. Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, chairperson of Qatar Foundation, was joined on stage by the entire Carnegie Mellon Qatar student body, to cut the ceremonial ribbon on stage.

"It was one of the most memorable days of my life. Sheikha Mozah has been my role model and it was a great honor to be by her side celebrating one of her latest contributions to the society and particularly the building that symbolizes the best days of my life,"

said Laith Algaz, junior business administration major at Carnegie Mellon Qatar.

"As an Emirati student studying in Qatar, I would say I am lucky to be a part of the legacy that is being created every moment here." Laith added.

In the Scottish tradition of Carnegie Mellon, a bagpiper clad in full Scottish regalia led a procession into the ceremonial court. The whole community of Carnegie Mellon Qatar, along with guests from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, distinguished guests from Doha and Qatar Foundation representatives enjoyed an evening of emotive videos featuring students, keynote remarks and the virtual ribbon cutting.

The highlight of the evening was when Her Highness cut the ribbon and officially opened the building. Joining her were Carnegie Mellon Qatar students, Dean Chuck Thorpe, Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon and Qatar Foundation President Dr. Mohamed Fathy Saoud.

"Carnegie Mellon is very proud to be part of Education City. With the opening of this magnificent building, Qatar Foundation has added in a dramatic way to the physical manifestation of the vision and leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned. This is a great moment for the nation of Qatar and its people, and for Carnegie Mellon," said Cohon.

Carnegie Mellon Qatar presented Her Highness with a gift thanking her for her visionary leadership that laid the foundation for the rich partnership between Qatar Foundation and Carnegie Mellon Qatar. The gift is a mural that depicts the history of Qatar as well as the evolution of Doha into the modern day city it has become. The mural is installed in the Carnegie Mellon building so that it can be viewed by anyone who visits Education City.

Qatar Foundation provided this teaching and learning facility to Carnegie Mellon Qatar so that the university can deliver its world-class programs in a state-of-the-art setting. Designed by renowned Mexican architects Legorreta+Legorreta, the building revolves around a three-story atrium and walkway.

The building is located on Education City's East-West Walkway, a purposeful design that encourages everyone in Education City to come to Carnegie Mellon. This was done in hopes of fostering a greater sense of community and collaboration among students, staff and faculty throughout Education City.

The new Carnegie Mellon building covers 460,000 square feet, including 149 offices and workstations, a library, five lecture halls, 11 classrooms, five labs, five computer classrooms and both an interdisciplinary and robotics lab.

Carnegie Mellon Qatar's new permanent building is a source of pride in Qatar and amongst the university community around the world. The inauguration celebrates a new era for Carnegie Mellon and underlines the university's commitment to provide world-class education in Qatar.

"In Education City, Carnegie Mellon University has already made a substantial contribution through its teaching programs,"

said Mohammed Fathy Saoud, President, Qatar Foundation.

"Its first graduates are now participating in building Qatar's new knowledge based economy. Carnegie Mellon has shown itself to be an important partner in Qatar Foundation's mission to lead the country into the ranks of the world's most advanced societies."