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The 21st-century economy is transforming faster than ever. As nations work to diversify and sustain growth beyond traditional sectors, one thing has become clear: effective and efficient resource management lies at the heart of lasting prosperity. From trade and finance to sustainability and technology, the modern economy demands leaders who not only understand how markets function but can shape them toward a more resilient and inclusive future.
At Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), the new Master of Science (MSc) in Economics equips students with the knowledge and analytical skills to meet that challenge. Designed for an era defined by change, the program builds a strong foundation in economic theory and policy analysis, while emphasizing the real-world applications that drive growth in a diversified economy. Students graduate ready to make data-driven decisions, design impactful economic policies, and lead organizations that use resources strategically and sustainably.
The MSc in Economics offers an up-to-date, comprehensive curriculum broad in scope and depth of speciality that bridges classical and modern economic thought. Students engage with both core and elective modules, exploring themes from monetarism and Keynesianism to advanced topics in analysis such as quantitative methods, economic forecasting, artificial intelligence (AI) in economics, and sustainability analytics. A suite of specialized electives including financial economics, public policy, global political economy, health economics, human capital economics, and the geopolitics of global energy markets, allows students to tailor their learning to emerging global priorities. This forward-looking program empowers graduates to think critically, act strategically, and manage resources wisely - skills essential for fuelling innovation, ensuring stability, and driving sustainable growth in tomorrow’s interconnected economy.
Dr. Omneya Hassan Abdelsalam, Professor of Ethical Finance & Sustainable Development at HBKU’s School of Economics and Management, underscores the urgency of understanding emerging international regulatory frameworks:
“The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and related economic substance regulations are reshaping global business accountability. Here in Qatar, it is vital that our graduates understand how evolving sustainability and financial disclosure standards influence local and regional enterprises.”
“HBKU’s economics curriculum integrates these critical themes, offering students practical exposure to global databases such as Morningstar’s Sustainalytics, Bloomberg and the London Stock Exchange Group’s Data & Analytics,” she added. “Our programs are deliberately interdisciplinary bridging technology, ethics, and policy, to ensure our graduates remain globally relevant and future-ready.”
Dr. Laoucine Kerbache, Acting Dean for the School of Economics & Management, highlights the importance of embedding AI into economics curriculum: “Beyond geopolitics, the global economy is being transformed by forces such as AI, environmental change, and rapid urbanization. AI is not merely disrupting industries -it is redefining economic models, labor markets, and productivity paradigms. Its integration into finance, trade, and production is enhancing efficiency but also raising complex questions around ethics, governance, and workforce adaptation.”
“Similarly, the escalating climate crisis demands new economic frameworks that prioritize sustainability, green finance, and renewable investment strategies. HBKU’s programs emphasize these intersections, enabling students to analyse the economics of climate policy, carbon markets, and sustainable enterprise investment while developing balanced approaches to growth and environmental preservation.”
Urbanization presents yet another critical challenge and opportunity for economic innovation. Rapidly expanding cities require advanced economic planning and sustainable resource management to maintain stability and equity. HBKU’s programs address these realities by equipping students with the analytical and policy tools needed to design resilient urban economies capable of managing infrastructure, housing, and transport demands sustainably.
Moreover, as the global financial system evolves, Islamic finance is emerging as a vital framework for ethical and socially responsible investment. HBKU’s specialized MSc and PhD programs in Islamic Finance respond directly to this need, integrating principles such as risk-sharing, interest-free financing, and ethical governance into modern financial contexts. By blending traditional Islamic economic principles with contemporary analytical and policy approaches, HBKU prepares graduates to lead in sectors where profitability, ethics, and sustainability align.
Dr. Ala Al-Fuqaha, Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning, HBKU, emphasizes the university's commitment to national development: "At HBKU, we play a pivotal role in building local capacity by producing future-ready graduates equipped with essential skills and knowledge. This aligns perfectly with Qatar’s knowledge-based economy ambitions, central to the Qatar National Vision 2030 and Third National Development Strategy."
Ultimately, robust academic foundations in economics are vital to understanding, responding to, and leading through contemporary global challenges. HBKU’s economics programs emerge not only as educational offerings but as strategic pathways for future economists and policy leaders to shape sustainable and resilient economic futures. By fostering a deeper and more nuanced understanding of economics, HBKU positions its graduates to become pivotal figures capable of navigating and influencing the complex dynamics of the global economy.
Dr. Omneya Hassan Abdelsalam is Professor of Ethical Finance & Sustainable Development in Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) School of Economics & Management and the Founding director of the Sustainable Development Goals Implementation Network funded by Newton Fund. She is also Subject Editor in the Journal of International Financial Markets, Institution & Money and Emerging Markets Review.