Qatar Foundation executives commence Leadership Development Programme with Oxford University

Qatar Foundation 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 Saïd Business School, the Leadership Development Programmme has been carefully tailored to suit Qatar Foundation’s strategic goals. It will provide the Foundation’smost 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 Qatar Foundation, including science, research, education, community development, capital projects, and administration.

The programme was unveiled at a launch event, held at Qatar National Convention Centre on 21 — 22 January, where the primary objectives of the course were presented to 25 senior managers.

Hassan Al Hammadi, executive director of the Human Resources Directorate at Qatar Foundation, told participants that he was confident thesix-month programme would improve synergy between the Foundation’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 Saïd Business School was the most responsive to the needs and requirements of our organisation,” said Mr 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 Qatar Foundation. 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.

Rashid Al Naimi, Vice President of Administration at Qatar Foundation, 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 Mr Al Naimi. “If there are any shortages that you feel will benefit the next group of trainees, please let us know. 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 Mr Denton.

Jassim Telefat, technical director of Qatar Foundation’s Capital Projects, 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 Mr 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 Saïd.Since then, the Saïd 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.