Taking a step towards a long-term collaboration to support entrepreneurship and business development in Qatar and the Middle East, Al Faisal Holding’s (AFH) Chairman and CEO Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani has signed an agreement with DePaul University.

DePaul plans to launch The Sheikh Faisal Centre for Entrepreneurship in the Middle East at Driehaus College of Business later this year.

Sheikh Faisal said, “We are proud to sign the agreement with DePaul, one of the world’s leading educational institutions.

“The government of Qatar has launched initiatives to support entrepreneurs and is investing heavily to enhance the educational system, providing many first-class educational facilities to build a generation that can lead the nation and achieve its vision.”

Rev. Dennis H Holtschneider, C.M., President, DePaul University, said, “We will use this opportunity to strengthen DePaul’s investment in globally- minded business programmes for our students and graduates.”

The centre will work through DePaul’s nationally-recognised Coleman Entrepreneurship Centre. It will facilitate a Young Entrepreneur Academy that develops new generations of Qatari and US entrepreneurs and business leaders through student exchange programmes.

DePaul plans to host Qatari students each summer on its Chicago campus where they will work with business college faculty and alumni entrepreneurs to apply entrepreneurship theory and practice in developing their businesses plans.

A group of Driehaus College of Business students enrolled in programmes related to business development in the Middle East will have the opportunity to participate in a study abroad programme in Qatar.

“Our faculty and successful alumni entrepreneurs look forward to working with emerging entrepreneurs from Qatar and the Middle East to support their continued development into a thriving, professional class,” said Ray Whittington, Dean, Driehaus College of Business.

“We also see the centre as a great opportunity for DePaul students to gain real-world experience on an international stage.”

The proposed centre will hold an annual conference in Chicago for business leaders. It will serve as a source of professional knowledge for Qatar entrepreneurs and those who do business in the Middle East.

Sheikh Faisal will also host a business competition in Qatar for emerging entrepreneurs.