As one of the strategic priorities of the Public Health Strategy (PHS 2017-2022), the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Qatar has mandated Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), through its Executive Education Center (EEC), and the Graduate Institute Geneva (IHEID) to build the leadership capacity of selected public health professionals in Qatar. With that goal, a customized executive training program was delivered in two batches from September 4–15, at HBKU’s Minaretein building in Education City.

The main focus of the course revolved around the theme “Connecting Innovation and Quality Improvement”, with the primary goal of developing and implementing innovative practices to transform and improve public health performance in Qatar. Public health and healthcare professionals who completed the program were able to develop advanced competencies in strategic planning, leadership, and organizational effectiveness in the context of public health.

“It is our privilege to collaborate with HBKU’s Executive Education Center to support MOPH in implementing this initiative through this custom-made executive education program. The COVID-19 pandemic the world has witnessed has highlighted the importance of public health policies and programs in responding efficiently to such a crisis. The Geneva Graduate Institute can rely on its world-renowned academics and experts to deliver a relevant program combining academic rigor and professional relevance,” said Eliane Ballouhey, Executive Director of Executive Education at IHEID.

Mr. Ghanim Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, Director of the Human Resources Department at MOPH Qatar, said: “MOPH has a comprehensive approach in the Workforce Development Plan, aligned with the PHS 2017-2022 and the National Health Strategy 2018-2022, to provide opportunities for professional career development for all staff and to implement leadership and management development activities with the collaboration of our key partners.”

Mr. Issa Al-Suwaidi, Head of the Learning and Development Section at MOPH, also stressed that the timing of this program ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar is an invaluable opportunity for public health leaders from various authorities in the country to meet together to share experiences and joint projects as part of preparations for this event.

Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of Public Health at MOPH stated: “We are proud to collaborate with IHEID and HBKU-EEC on this important course, as leadership is necessary, relevant, and important in public health practice. The course will enable the engagement, management, and transformation of the challenges we are facing at the national level. Moreover, it will also empower our capabilities to work and collaborate internationally to address global public health issues and threats.”

For more information on HBKU’s Executive Education Center, please visit https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/eec