Doha, February 17 (QNA) - Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with Qatar Shell, announced the launch of the third cohort of the "Shell Intilaaqah - Qatar" program. The program is one of the country's leading initiatives dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets and empowering university students to shape their future with confidence and purpose.
The third edition brings together 210 students representing colleges and disciplines across QU, marking the program's largest cohort since its launch. This milestone reflects the growing interest in entrepreneurship among young people and the program's reputation as a meaningful, hands-on learning journey.
Commenting on the launch, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of Business and Economics at QU Dr. Khalid Al Hashimi, said, "The continued growth in the number of participants reflects the maturity of the Shell Intilaaqah - Qatar program and the strong confidence it has earned among Qatar University students. This motivates us to further develop the program's content and delivery methods in line with youth aspirations. It also enhances the Qatar University community's ability to excel both intellectually and practically in addressing various challenges, thereby positively contributing to the entrepreneurial ecosystem we aspire to foster within our university community."
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Qatar Shell Zhuldyz Galiakpar, stated, "Shell's ambition is to help enable progress by building capabilities that matter for the future. Through Shell Intilaaqah - Qatar, we are investing in practical skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and personal leadership that equip young people to navigate change and create value in their communities."
She adds, "This program supports our commitment to Qatar's human development priorities by preparing a generation that can contribute meaningfully to innovation, economic diversification, and long-term national resilience."
The current launch builds on the positive outcomes achieved in previous cohorts. According to the program's annual report, participants demonstrated notable improvement in core entrepreneurial competencies, alongside increased self-confidence, stronger decision-making abilities, and greater clarity around career and business pathways. Many participants also expressed a strong interest in starting their own ventures or continuing to develop their entrepreneurial ideas beyond the program.
The program offers an intensive eight-week experience that blends practical workshops, professional coaching, and experiential learning. Throughout the journey, students move from self-discovery and awareness to defining their personal and professional future and developing viable entrepreneurial project ideas. Shell Intilaaqah - Qatar also emphasizes essential life skills including creativity, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, that are critical for success across all career paths.
With the launch of its third cohort, the program continues to strengthen its position as a national platform for youth empowerment; helping students turn ideas into action, ambition into impact, and potential into lasting contribution towards a knowledge-based economy.
Shell Intilaaqah - Qatar is part of the global Shell LiveWIRE initiative, which supports young entrepreneurs around the world through mentorship and local and international networking opportunities, helping participants grow and expand their horizons. (QNA)