Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani has been appointed Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). H.E. Sheikha Hind will assume the position in addition to her role as Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF).

As Chairperson, Her Excellency will lead HBKU’s Board of Trustees, ensuring the success of the University and its vision and mission.  

Commenting on her new role and responsibilities, H.E. Sheikha Hind said: “HBKU has witnessed tremendous growth with the development of both its integrated academic programs and its national research capabilities. The University’s new Board of Trustees will offer their invaluable insight and expertise to the research university as it continues to target its strategic objectives and tackle critical challenges facing Qatar and the region. The Board will also play a leading role as the University endeavors to create new and innovative learning opportunities that help build human capacity and further support Qatar as it moves towards building a diverse and sustainable economy.

“Each of the Board members shares HBKU’s vision, and, together, we will guide the University’s path forward as a national source of knowledge that serves government, industry, and the wider community in Qatar.”

The Board of Trustees will comprise six members in addition to its Chairperson: His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce for the State of Qatar, Vice Chairman of Qatar Petroleum, and Deputy Chairman of Qatar Financial Centre Authority; Mr. Khalid Ahmed Al Mannai, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Mannai Corporation; Dr. Moncef Slaoui, Chairman of Global Vaccines at GlaxoSmithKline PLC; Dr. Samira Omar, Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research; Dr. Kang Sung-mo, President of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); and Prof. Ikhlaq Sidhu, Chief Scientist and Founding Director of the University of California Berkeley’s Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, and Founder of the Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership. The President of HBKU, Dr. Ahmad M Hasnah, also sits on the board as an ex-officio member.

The new appointees bring to HBKU a wealth of diverse leadership experience, both in Qatar and overseas, and share a commitment to ensure HBKU succeeds in its mission to provide an exceptional level of transformative education and research in Qatar.