Details of the 2-day conference (April 24-25) were outlined by CBE Dean Dr Khalid Shams M A Al-Abdulqader, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development Mr Hamad Al Kubaisi, and CBE Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) Director and Assistant Professor of Economics Dr Mahmoud Abdullatif, in the presence of CBE faculty and staff and representatives of the local media.
Organized in collaboration with QDB, the conference aims to identify the experiences of developed countries in the field of entrepreneurship education, and to evaluate the efforts made in the State of Qatar and the region to teach entrepreneurship in schools, universities or for individuals interested in entrepreneurship. It will provide a platform to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship education for youth and to highlight its role in equipping students with the necessary skills and abilities to become future entrepreneurs.
Keynote speakers International Council of Small Business (ICSB) Executive Director Dr Ayman El Tarabishy, Author of the book “On Innovation” Terry Jones, TOP Institute - Australia Senior Director of Research Prof Brian Gibson, Australian Center for Entrepreneurship Research Director Prof Per Davidsson, and MIT Sociotechnical Systems Research Center Professor Emeritus and Former Director Prof Deborah Nightingale will discuss a wide range of issues related to entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurship education in education system, educating innovation and creativity, and industrial collaboration and innovation.
The program agenda includes four (4) panel discussions entitled “Economic Changes and Entrepreneurship Education”, “Embedding Entrepreneurship in National Education Systems”, “Educating Innovation and Creativity”, and “Practical Education and Effective Industrial Collaboration”.
Commenting on the conference, Dr Khalid Shams M A Al-Abdulqader said: “This is the fourth conference to be held on entrepreneurship in economic development. Entrepreneurship education is a key factor in changing the behavior of individuals and in encouraging them to innovate. It is also essential to build the capabilities and skills of entrepreneurs, and to enable them to better understand the concept of entrepreneurship and deal with the environment surrounding them. Entrepreneurship education has become increasingly important in recent years in developing countries, especially in the Gulf countries. There are a number of initiatives being implemented in the Gulf countries in general and Qatar in particular to develop the culture and skills of entrepreneurs.”
He added: “The College of Business and Economics at Qatar University provides two tracks to support entrepreneurship education. The first track is studying entrepreneurship as a minor specialization for undergraduate students. MBA students may opt to an MBA concentration in entrepreneurship. The second track is the applicable programs offered by the Center for Entrepreneurship to boost the students’ capabilities and skills in the field of entrepreneurship. This conference is an opportunity to showcase our experience in the field of entrepreneurship and to introduce new and innovative programs in this area.”
Mr Hamad Al Kubaisi said: “Qatar Development Bank (QDB) is participating in the 4th International Conference on Entrepreneurship in Economic Development in Qatar. QDB is committed to supporting and promoting entrepreneurship in Qatar in line with its vision to develop Qatari entrepreneurs who contribute to diversifying the national economy through their small and medium enterprises. We are proud to be participating in this year’s Entrepreneurship Forum, which is important in providing opportunities for small and medium-sized Qatari companies to identify existing businesses and share experiences, promote entrepreneurship for private sector development, and empower Qatari youth to launch their own businesses in line with the pillars of economic development defined by Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Dr Mahmoud Abdullatif said: “The theme of the conference highlights the importance of education in building the abilities and skills of entrepreneurs. The conference will draw the participation of experts from all over the world. It will address various topics such as the importance of teaching entrepreneurship in the light of economic changes, the incorporation of entrepreneurship into courses, and teaching innovation and creativity to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs.”
Notes to Editors:
Media enquiries to Murielle El Hajj Nahas, +974 4403 5790; [email protected]
About Qatar University:
Qatar University is one of the leading institutions of academic and research excellence in the GCC region. It provides high quality undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare competent graduates, primed to shape the future of Qatar. The organization's strong relationship with Qatari society is reflected in its community service efforts and in its vibrant research portfolio that addresses relevant local and regional challenges, advances national goals towards a knowledge-based economy, and contributes actively to the needs and aspirations of the society.
