Qatar Petroleum and Shell sign MOU with HBKU to become the permanent home of ‘TAFAWOQ’ in Qatar

In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Shell to provide a permanent home for ‘TAFAWOQ’, a regionally recognized Project Management Centre of Excellence for competence development in Qatar.

The signing was also witnessed by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry of the State of Qatar and Chairman & Managing Director of QP, and Peter Voser, Chief Executive Officer of Shell.
The MOU was signed by His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, Ph.D., President of HBKU and Vice President of Education at QF, Saad Rashid Al-Muhannadi, Chairman of the TAFAWOQ Joint Steering Committee and Director Technical of QP, and Wael Sawan, Qatar Shell’s Executive Vice President.

The MOU signing took place at the Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam (STCA), a world-class research facility which Her Highness visited together with Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands. Her Highness witnessed cutting-edge research in progress in the laboratories of STCA where a significant part of Shell’s global R&D budget ($1.1 billion in 2011) is spent.
 
Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani said: "HBKU is based on mutually enriching collaboration. I am very proud that HBKU will be the base of TAFAWOQ, and I welcome Shell and QP to our international community.  This partnership will increase the range of opportunities available to our students, helping them acquire the skills and knowledge needed by leaders who operate at a global level. This will bring considerable benefits to Qatar's society and economy. The presence of Her Highness Sheikha Moza today shows the significance of this new partnership for Qatar and our National Vision 2030."
 
Saad Al-Muhannadi said: “We are honored to receive the support of Her Highness Sheikha Moza on this initiative. We are delighted to be working with Shell on this unique learning partnership 'TAFAWOQ'.  We have made a big step today by partnering with HBKU as it is providing TAFAWOQ with its permanent home which will contribute to our success in this regard.  The fact that we all are committed to the transfer of knowledge to the young generation will significantly promote project management capabilities in the State of Qatar in support of the Qatar’s National Vision 2030 under  the wise direction of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.’
I believe this Project Management Centre of Excellence will provide Qataris with the opportunity to acquire the leadership and project management competencies to contribute to the sustainable growth of the country,” added Al-Muhannadi.

Wael Sawan said: ‘“As long-standing strategic partners, Shell and QP have launched this Centre of Excellence in 2011. Today, we are extremely honoured that Her Highness is witnessing the expansion of this partnership with Hamad bin Khalifa University as we believe in its invaluable contribution to the long-term sustainability of TAFAWOQ.’
‘TAFAWOQ will enable Shell to support Qatar in the delivery of its National Vision 2030, through sharing relevant skills and experience to build competence in project management to deliver Qatar’s extraordinary capital investment programme. Shell’s project management expertise has been demonstrated by the successful construction and commissioning of Pearl GTL,’ added Sawan.

In November 2011, H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada and Peter Voser signed a Letter of Intent that established a unique partnership between QP and Shell to launch and assist in the operation of a regionally recognised Project Management Centre of Excellence in Qatar.

This Centre focuses on competence development in project management of capital projects and associated supply chain. This initiative forms part of QP’s and Shell’s support for the Qatar National Vision 2030. The name selected for the Project Management Centre is ‘TAFAWOQ’ which means “EXCELLENCE” in English.

In addition to providing a permanent home for TAFAWOQ, this new partnership between HBKU, QP and Qatar Shell, will provide the opportunity for HBKU students to receive executive educational learning and training opportunities through this Centre of Excellence.

TAFAWOQ has already launched its courses, comprised of virtual learning, work based activities and face-to-face training from the Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre located at Qatar Science & Technology Park.  A total of 23 project professionals have successfully completed TAFAWOQ's first learning programme “Essentials of Project Management” last June.

TAFAWOQ will soon run a series of additional events for the project management professionals.  Participants will also work through real life case studies based on existing projects to gain a deeper insight into the industry and global project management best practices.

This new partnership reinforces HBKU’s ongoing commitment for collaboration with partners as it continues to enhance the education and professional training opportunities available in Qatar.