Qatar Foundation Board of Directors Appreciation Event

More than fifteen years have passed since the launch of this project – which started in a portacabin as we saw in the film just a few moments ago.  As a mother wanting to provide an exceptional, quality education for her children, the portacabin was the solution to my urgent problem.  

Education is a principle rooted in a centuries-old heritage, with branches extending in all directions, drinking from the springs of knowledge, whether eastern or western. As soon as I started thinking about this, I was struck.  I was struck by the reality that the need for exceptional, quality education was not just for me and my family but it is a universal social issue which needs comprehensive solutions. 

From that point, I worked in my capacity as wife of the then Heir Apparent – and feeling like a mother to all of Qatar’s children, with everything I could aspire to for them. 

In those early days, I didn’t have the experience or the knowledge required as to how to solve my problem so I turned to my husband for assistance. He directed me to His Excellency Abdulla bin Khalifa Al-Attiya—who I believe was the director of His Highness’s Office back then—but at that time his many obligations to his occupation left him otherwise occupied. 

I again sought out my husband to ask for advice and guidance and he directed me to a very important individual whose name I was going to mention today if he was present, but unfortunately this person was unable to attend tonight’s event. After months of waiting and anticipation, I learned that this person was too busy as he was occupied with the purchase of his own school and was engaged in its development.

As they say, third time lucky.  I sought out my husband once again. He told me about and introduced me to—or introduced to me—Dr Saif Al-Hajari. And honestly, Dr Saif Al-Hajari spared no effort in providing his help and assistance.
But I had learned an  important lesson by now. I learned self-reliance and I learned to take matters into my own hands. 

We formed a working group made up of Dr Saif Al-Hajari, Mr Chai —who you will have also just seen in the film a few moments ago - and Engineer Saad Al-Muhannadi. Soon after that, Dr Sheikha Al-Misnad joined us.
We were successful in setting up a school and later established Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development in order to bring together numerous university, academic, and research projects, and many pioneering community and health projects.
This development project of Qatar Foundation is described by some as a dream, and by others as a fruitless adventure, but His Highness believed - and continues to believe  - with absolute certainty that investing in the Qatari individual always benefits both the present and the future. In the view of His Highness, Qatar Foundation is a means to bring about change as well as a way to create models embodying and leading this change. 

The standard of quality education adopted by Qatar Foundation does not only set up distinguished institutions and create partnerships with international organisations, but also aims to expand such institutions to respond to the society’s needs and aspirations.
You may be aware of how Qatar Foundation is introducing a rich national movement, seen in the improvement of our higher education system and the reshaping of Qatar University.

You may be aware of how Qatar Foundation engenders a culture of scientific research and laid down the procedural and structural framework for this to become an integral part of the plans and strategies of the nation’s institutions. 

You may be aware of how Qatar Foundation promotes a culture of excellence and accomplishment, not only in the educational sector but across all sectors. This includes even engineering specification standards—Qatar Foundation was able to take them to an altogether different level, a level on a par with international levels.

Therefore, we should not be surprised if Qatar is now known more for its Foundation, than for its petroleum and gas. The vision that His Highness put forward—and I say this quite openly—from  1995 until today, is what we are seeing as the dream has become reality. We know now that the establishment of Qatar Foundation was a race for the future.

 Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight we celebrate the group that contributed, with others, to translating that vision into goals and programmes. They all have our full gratitude and appreciation.

To start with, I would like to thank Qatar Foundation’s sponsor, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, who went out of his way to offer his continuous direction and support.  

I also want to thank all of you, the first patrons who took Qatar’s first steps in the spheres of achievements and excellence. Qatar will not forget your great contribution to establishing the foundations of its modern development. 

I know that your role, and the fire with which we worked, together over the years, is greater than any honour. You worked and you were true to your responsibilities; you were entrusted with this task and you achieved outstanding results, so thank you.
Thank you because you contributed to building a new generation of Qataris proud to continue your path. 

We have been intent to ensure that the new members of the board of trustees are from a new generation in whom we trust, and in whose abilities we are confident. They are, as I like to call them, “the Qatar Foundation generation.” 

On the basis of this trust, we want this generation to bring Qatar Foundation to a new stage of its development, consistent with the vision of the future and its requirements, and preserving the spirit of enterprise, invention, and creativity that has become one of the characteristics of Qatar Foundation. 

I thank you for what you have given and for what you will continue to give, and I wish Qatar Foundation all the best of luck and prosperity. 

Thank you.

ENDS.