Carnegie Mellon grads reflect on rich learning opportunities within Qatar

At CMU-Q forum, alumni discuss learning in, and outside of, the classroom

Four Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) alumni returned to campus to share their experiences in the years since graduation. Hailing from four different degree programs, and now in vastly different fields, the graduates agreed that seizing learning opportunities throughout Qatar enhanced their education and helped shaped their careers.

Saleh Al Khulaifi, a 2010 graduate from the Business Administration Program, now works as executive director of intelligence and localization at Qatar Development Bank. He emphasized the importance of internships: “The most important piece of advice I can give students is to seek internships both throughout the academic year and in the summer. They are very useful in putting your knowledge to work.”

Umm Kulthum Umlai, a 2016 graduate from the Biological Sciences Program, is pursuing a PhD in genomics and microbiology at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. She urged students to “seek internships that will enrich your knowledge and experience, whether you want to pursue a career in an academic or industrial field.”

For his part, Hasan Al-Jawaheri, a 2016 alumnus from the Computer Science Program, noted that graduates often end up pursuing career paths outside their fields of study. “I studied computer science, but I am now working in business,” Al-Jawaheri said, who is the co-founder and CEO of Verboze, a tech startup that is being incubated at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). “Academic and career guidance is key, and we can benefit from the experience of our faculty mentors.”

Omar Shamiyeh graduated from the Information Systems Program in 2015, and now is CEO at Cosette Solutions. For him, building relationships is essential for a successful career in business. He noted that the many internships available within Qatar are key to launching a career: “Building relationships is necessary in the business world, and you should start doing it from now until retirement.”

Tartan Talks was moderated by Gloria Khoury, assistant dean for student affairs.

CMU-Q offers undergraduate degree programs in the fields of biological sciences, business administration, computational biology, computer science and information systems, programs which support Qatar’s long-term development and growth.