First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama Visits Qatar Foundation

DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama today visited Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), an organisation of world-class universities and institutes dedicated to realising human potential, where she was welcomed by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation.

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The First Lady visited Qatar Foundation's flagship project, Education City, which is a sprawling campus based in Qatar's capital of Doha covering 14 square kilometres.  Education City houses educational facilities from pre-school to postgraduate level, including branch campuses of some of the world's top universities; internationally renowned research centres and superior sport and community facilities.

During her visit to Qatar Foundation Mrs. Obama met with Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. Her Highness and the First Lady discussed ways to help more children, particularly adolescent girls, in communities across the globe make that critical transition from primary to secondary education. They also explored potential areas of collaboration between the Education Above All foundation, established by Her Highness in 2012, and the First Lady's initiative Let Girls Learn.

During the visit Mrs. Obama toured the QF Visitors Centre, where she  met with Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, QF Vice-Chairperson and Engineer Saad Ebrahim Al Muhannadi QF President. 

On 4 November, Mrs. Obama will deliver remarks at the 2015 World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), addressing an audience of education leaders from the region and around the world about global girls' education and the Let Girls Learn initiative.

At the opening ceremony of WISE on Wednesday, Her Highness Sheikha Moza will speak on how education has come under attack, both regionally and globally. She will also officially inaugurate the WISE Summit and announce the 2015 WISE Prize for Education Laureate.

Education City is home to Qatar Foundation's Hamad bin Khalifa University and QF's partner universities, Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar (VCUQ), Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q), Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMUQ), Georgetown University in Qatar (GUQ), Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), HEC Paris Qatar (HEC-PQ) and University College London Qatar (UCL-Q).

The Foundation's aim is to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030), which provides a clear roadmap for Qatar's future based on an overarching mission to move the country away from its heavy dependence on its oil and gas and transform it into a knowledge-based economy by investing in its people's potential. 

About Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF) is a private, non-profit organisation that is supporting Qatar on its journey from carbon economy to knowledge economy by unlocking human potential, for the benefit of not only Qatar, but the world. QF was co-founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Qatar Foundation's Chairperson. QF's work encompasses education, research and community development. World-class universities are brought to Qatar to help create an education sector in which young people can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge economy. At the same time, QF builds Qatar's innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercialising solutions through key sciences. The Foundation also works to foster a progressive society while enhancing cultural life, protecting Qatar's heritage and addressing immediate social needs in the community.

For a complete list of QF's initiatives and projects, visit http://www.qf.org.qa

About the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE)

Qatar Foundation, under the leadership of its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser established the World Innovation Summit for Education in 2009. WISE is an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative thinking, debate and purposeful action. WISE has established itself as a global reference in new approaches to education. Through both the Summit and a range of ongoing programs WISE is promoting innovation and building the future of education through collaboration.

SOURCE Qatar Foundation

Related Links

http://www.qf.org.qa