HH Sheikha Moza opens new Georgetown building

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HH Sheikha Moza opens new Georgetown building


Doha, Qatar, 13 February 2011

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, opened the new building of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Q) on Sunday. Before the inauguration ceremony, Her Highness and other dignitaries toured the facilities at the new building. She was presented with a memento depicting Sumerian art with a slogan ‘Both into one’ by Jeane Ruch, board member of Georgetown University, and Abdul Rahman Nasser, a senior student. 

The university also honored Eng Saad al Mohannadi, vice-chairman of Capitol Projects and Facilities Management at Qatar Foundation, for completing the construction work on time without causing injury to any worker. Addressing the august gathering, the deputy prime minister said that Georgetown University’s inaugural ceremony is an occasion to celebrate our future together. “Education and youngsters will have to go hand-in hand to transform Qatar into a powerful knowledge-based economy. This will help the country in realising its dreams and moving forward with greater determination.” Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani said that the inauguration of the new building is a beginning of a new chapter in the history of Georgetown University. He said “Both the campuses in Qatar and the US have come of age. They have forged a strong relationship which has not only enhanced the quality of education but has also extended to areas of research and specialisation. The bond has provided opportunities to the youngsters to get a feel of diverse cultures and interact with numerous communities.” President of Georgetown University Dr DeGioia said that the decision of the parent university in the US to set up its branch in Qatar is bearing fruits. 
“Started about 22 years ago, the Doha campus has emerged as beacon of light in the field of education. The kind of synergy that has been developed between the two campuses will grow in the future,” he added. 

The new building, which is worth QR600 million, has been designed by renowned Mexican architects Legorreta+Legorreta. It spent almost 8.6 million man hours to complete the project. Talking about the construction work, Eng al Mohannadi said that the project began in 2008. “We completed the building using the latest green building technology,” he added. 

Georgetown University’s Interim Dean Mehran Kamrava said that the new building spread over an area of 360,000 square feet features a three-story high atrium, an auditorium with a seating capacity for 350 people, 14 classrooms and lecture halls. 

“It will have latest facilities for 450 students and 200 faculties. Currently, we have 180 students and 35 faculties". 

The new building includes a public library which houses one of the country’s most extensive collections of books and reading materials,” he added. The university also organised a special photo exhibition depicting the beauty of the building and its various facilities.