Hans-Jorg Shmid-Trenz (on screen), CEO, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, addressing a plenary session on Education and Business during the ICC WCF 8th World Chambers Congress at the QNCC yesterday. Others seated from left are: Harold McGraw III, Vice Chairman, International Chamber of Commerce and Chairman, United States Council for International Business; Khalil Mahshi, Director, International Institute for Educational Planning, Unesco; Bart Cahir, President and General Manager, ExxonMobil Qatar; and Ilkar Baybars, Dean, Carnegie Mellon Qatar. Salim Matramkot
DOHA: Governments, NGOs and the private sector all have fundamental roles to play in education. If we need to succeed and progress in the economies of tomorrow, it is crucial that we advance in the right places today, particularly in a place such as Qatar, where a remarkable track record of economic successes has been established over a short period, Bart Cahir, President and General Manager, ExxonMobil Qatar, said yesterday.
Attending an Education & Business panel at the 8th World Chambers Congress here yesterday, Bart said: “Education is key to creating opportunity and progress around the world… and this is why education is at the forefront of our economic and social development programs at ExxonMobil.”
At ExxonMobil, we acknowledge that we share a responsibility with governments in preparing the next generation of young professionals for a highly competitive global workplace. Government is the foundation, of course. Only government has the resources and the authority to drive national efforts to ensure every student can attend school and learn from a highly qualified teacher.
Over the past several years, governments around the world have made real progress in elevating the importance of education. The good news is that literacy rates are rising, and educational opportunities for women and girls are expanding. There are few better places to highlight the positive role that government can play in advancing education than here in Qatar.
He noted Qatar has become an example of model partnerships between government, business, and society as a whole. And through the Qatar National Vision and the National Development Strategy the country has drawn up a roadmap to excellence in education. In this collaborative effort, business has a role to play, too.
Business leaders must start with an understanding of the needs of the nations and communities where they operate. Education needs differ from nation to nation, he said.
The Peninsula
