Summary
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar's recent Future's Fair was the largest in the university's history, featuring a record 70+ employers. The event connected top organizations like Qatar Airways, Avey, and QCRI with skilled CMU-Q students and alumni for networking and interviews. Employers and alumni praised the rigorous, real-world education that makes CMU-Q graduates highly sought-after in the job market.
DOHA, QATAR: Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), a partner university of Qatar Foundation, hosted its largest-ever Future’s Fair, providing an unparalleled opportunity for employers to connect with Qatar’s most promising students and recent graduates. A record number of more than 70 leading local and international organizations attended to recruit from CMU-Q’s exceptional talent pool.
This year’s fair introduced individualized company booths to support networking and on-the-spot interviews. The exclusive event provided employers with a direct pipeline to CMU-Q students and alumni, who are trained to be skilled team players, problem solvers, and creative thinkers.
“The sheer scale of this year’s Future’s Fair is a testament to the incredible demand for our graduates,” said Michael Trick, dean of CMU-Q. “We provide an education that is rigorous, analytical, and collaborative. For employers in Qatar and the region, this event is the single best opportunity to meet the next generation of leaders and innovators who will drive their organizations forward.”
The Future’s Fair included representatives from the top employers of CMU-Q students. One third of the employed graduates of the Class of 2024 were hired by one of these seven organizations: QatarEnergy, Qatar Airways, Avey, Qatar Computing Research Institute, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, KPMG and PwC.
One of those employers, Qatar Airways, highlighted the real-world impact of hiring CMU-Q graduates.
“CMU-Q graduates stand out for their readiness to transition seamlessly into the workplace,” said Arwa Al Mesallam, Talent Acquisition Business Partner at Qatar Airways. “They demonstrate strong research abilities, data-driven decision-making, and a mindset oriented toward innovation. Whether it’s advancing digital transformation, contributing to sustainability goals, or designing new solutions for aviation, they bring both creativity and practicality. Their ability to bridge theory with practice makes them natural contributors to Qatar Airways’ vision of excellence and innovation.”
Avey, another major employer of CMU-Q graduates, also spoke to the caliber of the university’s talent.
“CMU-Q students have shown that they are some of the highest-caliber talents the country has to offer,” said Moussa Zekak, COO of Avey. “Their commitment to work, honesty, and rigor is unmatched. We have a long-standing relationship with CMU-Q, from our Founder and CEO being a Computer Science professor at the university to a large percentage of our employees being CMU-Q graduates.”
For many employers, it’s not just technical skill but also mindset that sets CMU-Q students apart.
“CMU-Q students stand out for their technical depth, adaptability, and genuine interest in research and innovation,” said Keivin Isufaj, Software Engineer at Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI). “What impresses us most is their curiosity, passion, and the way they confidently present themselves while staying at the forefront of emerging technologies.”
