Qatar University’s (QU) Foundation Program Department of English (FPDE) held two panel discussions with local Qatari entrepreneurs. The English for Business course instructors organized this event in collaboration with the Bedaya Center for Entrepreneurship and Mr. Ahmed Al Saygh, who provided the local entrepreneurs from their networks for this event.
This online event is the first step in the English for Business course’s Entrepreneurship Project and reflects QU’s drive in promoting entrepreneurial thinking among students. It also represents Dr. Hezam Al-Awah, the Director of the Foundation Program, and FPDE leadership’s ongoing support and guidance in this regard.
The panel discussion for male students was held on October 11 which included three panelists, all local entrepreneurs in Qatar. Ghanim Al-Sulaiti is a young Qatari entrepreneur passionate about promoting a plant-based lifestyle. Dr. Abdulmohsin Alyafei is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Cwallet which offers digital financial solutions to low-income and unbanked migrant workers. Bader Al-Saadi is the founder and current CEO of Quake Sportswear, the first Qatari athleisure wear brand in Qatar.
The panel discussion for female students was held on October 13 included another three panelists. Two were graduates from the QU College of Business and Economics. Fatima AlQaedi is the founder of Ello and Head of Media and PR at Lusail Circuit Sports Club. Khadeja Ahmed Albuhaliqa, who started her first business when she was 18, is the founder of several businesses. Maryam Abdulla is the founder of Rebalance Lifestyle Development Consultancy.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and before the move to online teaching, this event would have been held on campus. However, the event shifted to an online platform during the past three semesters as a result of restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
Over two days, around 190 students attended both events. All students in the course, however, will be required to watch the recording of the panel discussion. Learning from the experience and advice of local entrepreneurs is important to the Entrepreneurship Project and to achieving the FPDE and Qatar University’s to create more Qatari entrepreneurs and startups in the near future.
Source: Qatar University