Summary
Originally published in The Business Year Qatar 2026, this interview features Michael Trick, dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q). Dean Trick reflects on CMU-Q's achievements, noting its growing alumni network and their contributions to Qatar's knowledge economy. He discusses the campus's strategic enrollment expansion, an extended 10-year partnership with Qatar Foundation, and the unique multiversity model of Education City. He also highlights CMU-Q's regional leadership in campus sustainability, as well as community-facing initiatives like the Hamad bin Jassim Center for Computer Science Education.
Originally published May 5, 2026 in The Business Year Qatar 2026.
How do you measure the impact the campus has had on Qatar’s educational journey?
Our success can be measured first and foremost through our alumni. We now have more than 1,400 graduates, and as the earliest cohorts have passed the 15-year mark in their careers, many are rising into influential roles across government and industry. Their Carnegie Mellon education is directly shaping Qatar’s domestic capabilities and competitiveness. While our primary mission is to educate Qataris and residents, around 25% of our students are international. They are not simply good students; they are often the best in their entire country. This mix creates a unique, high-performance learning environment, and 93% of our graduates who enter the job market secure their first role in Qatar. That means immediate and sustained impact on the knowledge economy.
Research excellence is another key pillar. Our 55 faculty members are deeply involved in applied research that responds to national and regional needs. For example, we are advancing the use of drones in agriculture, and developing improved pedagogy models. Finally, Education City has evolved significantly. What began as a group of individual branch campuses has progressed into Her Highness Sheikha Moza’s vision of a unified multiversity. We work closely with our partner universities, including Georgetown, Northwestern, VCUarts, and Weill Cornell Medicine, as well as Hamad Bin Khalifa University, to offer joint minors, cross-registration, and collaborative research.
CMU and Qatar Foundation (QF) just signed a new contract to extend a long-standing partnership. How do you see the campus growing and evolving over the next decade?
One of the most important changes is controlled enrollment growth. In 2025, we received more than 3,000 applications for just 115 places. We are now expanding to welcome 140 students annually. It may sound modest, but 25 additional students translate to 100 more people on campus, increased energy, and greater impact. This growth brings additional faculty, staff, and student support services, enhancing the entire learning ecosystem.
We are also receiving increased research funding, enabling us to expand in areas where we have proven strength, especially in undergraduate-driven research. While we do not offer local graduate programs, our faculty actively integrate undergraduates into research pathways with high real-world relevance. We are adding clarity and focus around priorities that matter to QF and the country, such as strengthening Arabic language capabilities. Even as an English-language institution, we offer targeted Arabic learning opportunities, including professional Arabic courses for Qataris who have not used the language in business settings.
The new contract also encourages stronger external engagement. We have built an exceptional internal learning environment, and increasing professional education offerings and industry partnerships will extend our reach into the broader economy and public sector.
What’s CMU-Q contribution to sustainability and community engagement in Qatar?
Within our community, we aim to model responsible behavior. We were the first institution in the Middle East region to receive the international Green Flag Award. We maintain a community garden, continuously strengthen recycling efforts, and implement campus-wide sustainability practices.
Externally, sustainability themes guide our educational outreach. Competitions such as hackathons are increasingly centered on environmental problem-solving. Our Lifelines initiative, for example, challenges students to develop digital tools that improve community well-being, sustainability, and humanitarian outcomes. Select faculty focus their research in these areas as well.
Community engagement more broadly is a growing focus. Our Dean’s Lecture Series brings senior government and business leaders to speak with public audiences. Faculty- led workshops are now offered both on campus and at the Civil Service Bureau, often drawing more than 200 participants. Our Hamad bin Jassim Center for K-12 Computer Science Education has introduced more than 10,000 young learners to computational thinking.
