Doha, October 15 (QNA) - Dean of HEC Paris in Doha Dr. Pablo Martin de Holan confirmed the university's programs have graduated approximately 1,500 students since signing the partnership agreement with Qatar Foundation in 2010, comprising of 53% Qatari students, 41% female, and 11% from outside Qatar.

In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of HEC Paris' 15th anniversary in Doha, Dr. de Holan said that this occasion embodies the insightful vision of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), and the dedicated efforts of both teams. He highlighted the commitment of all to providing world-class leadership education in the State of Qatar.

Dr. de Holan described the partnership between HEC Paris and QF as exceptional by all standards and praised QF's significant support, which enabled the university to achieve its accomplishments in Qatar. He added that it is clear that HEC Paris would not have achieved what they have without the support and friendship of QF. He noted Education City and QF are unique in the world, and what they achieved is simply remarkable.

He emphasized that this partnership reflects HEC Paris' long-standing commitment to developing national capabilities and advancing higher education in the region, explaining the university's mission is to continue providing world-class business education that empowers the region's leaders to achieve sustainable growth and create lasting impact.

Dean of HEC Paris explained that the most prominent milestones in the university’s journey include the launch of the first cohort of the Executive MBA (EMBA) program in 2011, the establishment of the graduate branch in Qatar in 2013, the university’s receipt of the Qatar Foundation Excellence Award and its retention of the title of Educational Institute of the Year in 2016, the launch of the EMBA specialization in Healthcare Management and Policy in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, the establishment of the Business Research Laboratory, the launch of the Emerging Leaders Track (ELT) in 2021, and the university’s move to its new campus in Msheireb in 2022.

Regarding the changes that have occurred in the nature and needs of students since the university's founding, Dr. de Holan pointed out that the most significant is the growing need for lifelong learning. He noted that HEC Paris in Doha teaches mature students who have returned to school because the world has changed and they want to learn how to adapt to those changes.

He pointed out that the university is full of inspiring success stories, including that of a graduate who faced reservations from her family before enrolling in the program. However, after graduating with honors, she achieved successive promotions until she became a vice president at a major company in Doha. He added that these stories represent a great source of pride for the university and its faculty.

Regarding the future of executive education in light of rapid economic and technological transformations, Dr. de Holan said, "If what I know is no longer useful, I need to learn something new, and that is a good thing, because learning invites us to examine who we are, what we do and why. It gives us a path to do things differently and better. Learning is an essential part of life, so it should never stop."

The Dean of HEC Paris in Doha reviewed the university's academic programs, including the Executive MBA (EMBA), launched in 2011 and offering four tracks in the region, which includes Specialized Master in Strategic Business Unit Management (SBUM), which enables professionals to develop leadership and strategic planning skills for managing business units, and corporate programs specifically designed for companies in the areas of leadership, innovation, and organizational transformation.

Concluding his remarks to QNA, Dean of HEC Paris in Doha Dr. Pablo Martin de Holan addressed HEC Paris in Doha graduates and partners by saying, "You have received the gift of education, and now you have the delightful obligation to share what you know. Teach those around you, help others learn from what you know. Be generous with your knowledge, because you are also a teacher. Let´s pay our children forward by educating others, one person at a time, every day. Because we can, and because we must. Educating the world is our beautiful responsibility." (QNA)