Sheikha Moza sponsors UCL Qatar's inauguration

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) sponsored the inauguration of the University College London Qatar (UCL Qatar)  the first ever campus to be set up at Education City, Doha by a UK university. The formal inauguration ceremony held at Qatar National Convention Centre, today was attended by a number of  distinguished guests including Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, the Chairperson of Qatar Museums Authority, HRH the Duke of York, KG , the outgoing UCL Provost and President, Professor Sir Malcolm Grant and His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Than Ph.D, President of Hamad bin Khalifa University and Vice-President of Education at Qatar Foundation.  The ceremony brought together UCL staff and students with key stakeholders from the community who have played an important role in establishing the UCL Qatar campus. Among the guests were senior representatives from Qatar Foundation, Hamad bin Khalifa University and Qatar Museums Authority. Qatari nationals who have previously graduated from UCL also attended the ceremony, which showcased UCL Qatars facilities, students, achievements and objectives. The creation of a Consultation Committee was also announced at the ceremony. Addressing the opening ceremony, Professor Sir Malcolm Grant expressed pride for the UCL Qatar's presence in Qatar in partnership with Hamad Bin Khalifa University at the Education City . Such a project represents a long trip of cooperation which effects would be reflected on several areas including Qatar, he told the audience. Sir Malcolm Grant highly lauded the great support HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser has offered for bring the UCL Qatar here in Qatar , praising the vision of HH Sheikha Moza for attracting and bringing in the most prominent educational institutions and universities in Qatar. At the end of the opening ceremony , HH Sheikha Moza Bin Nasser has received a commemorative gift from the doyen of the University College London Qatar (UCL Qatar) . The gift is a photograph of the ancient Greek style of UCL which was built in the 19th century.   Addressing the opening ceremony of UCL-Qatar as well was Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums Authority, who said: "UCL is a key strategic partner in terms of building capacity for QMAs museums and for our work in archaeology and cultural heritage, both through their Masters programmes and through their Short Course programme. "We share the same vision of establishing Qatar first of all as a regional and later as a global leader in cultural heritage, and our partnership work towards this end is extremely productive - and also enjoyable," said HE  Sheikha Al-Mayassa. Created in collaboration with Qatar Foundation and Qatar Museums Authority, UCL Qatar is a leading centre of excellence for the study of cultural heritage at postgraduate level. A partner of Hamad bin Khalifa University, the campus draws upon UCLs  world-renowned academic expertise, with leading academic scholars, teachers and scientists implementing UCLs unique curriculum and research. Having welcomed its first intake of 29 Masters students in August 2012, UCL Qatar has already seen further growth with the arrival of an additional 39 students in August 2013. In addition, five PhD students from the UCLs Institute of Archaeology are based at UCL Qatar to conduct high-level research into heritage issues of relevance to the Arab and Islamic world.  The Masters programmes offered at UCL Qatar in Museum Studies, Archaeology and Conservation have a significant focus on Qatar and the wider region, providing students with the practical skills required to pursue career as leaders in the cultural heritage sector. For his part, His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani Ph.D, President of HBKU and Vice-President of Education at Qatar Foundation, also made a similar address before the inaugural ceremony in which he said, "UCL Qatar has shown itself to be an enthusiastic partner of Hamad bin Khalifa University and I look forward to its participation in our new graduate programs. Elaborating His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani said," UCL has always been a pioneer in higher education and I believe it has much to contribute to our emerging research university. The globally recognized quality of its scholarship in many areas will enrich our collaborative, interdisciplinary model of teaching and research."  Professor Michael Worton (UCL Vice-Provost), also addressed the opening ceremony and said: "We are delighted that UCL Qatar has now been formally opened. Later this year our first cohort of Masters students will complete their studies and by December 2013, we will have delivered more than 50 short courses for professionals working in the local museum and cultural sector." "We are also working closely with a range of sectors within the community, such as schools, explaining the personal and social importance of cultural heritage to everyone. UCL Qatars published research is already having significant impact in the region, and we are working in close partnership with Hamad bin Khalifa University to develop new postgraduate programmes, such as a Masters in Library and Information Studies that fit specific needs of the local population." Professor Worton added. "UCL Qatar is young, but we are committed to fulfilling the educational, research, social and ethical visions of both UCL and its key partners Qatar Foundation, Hamad bin Khalifa University and Qatar Museums Authority," he added. Addressing the ceremony was Professor Thilo Rehren, Director of UCL Qatar, who said: "Within the next five years we intend for UCL Qatar to be a global leader in cultural heritage studies, thanks to the outstanding academic calibre and dedication of our staff and students, and the continued support of Qatar Foundation and Qatar Museums Authority. Their backing allows us to develop an exciting programme of research, training, education and public outreach exploring why culture matters, particularly in a region so culturally rich and diverse as the Arab and Islamic World, with Qatar at the very heart of it." UCL was established in 1826 in order to open up education in England for the first time to students of any race, class or religion. Its founding principles of academic excellence and research aimed at addressing real-world problems inform the university’s ethos to this day. In establishing UCL Qatar, UCL seeks not only to create the leading centre of excellence in the Gulf region for the study of archaeology, conservation, museology and librarianship, but also to strive with the community to bring cultural heritage to the forefront. UCL Qatar’s outreach programmes, school activities and public lectures are allowing the community to learn more about Qatar’s rich cultural past, as well as archaeological and historical issues within the wider region.