EDUCATION WITHOUT BORDERS
How have career opportunities changed for women in Qatar and the surrounding region in recent years? “Women in Qatar have seen remarkable progress in career opportunities across various industries, reflecting the country’s strong commitment to gender equity and talent development. The business landscape has evolved significantly, with women increasingly taking on executive roles and leading major initiatives in both the public and private sectors. Several Qatari women now serve as ministers, university leaders and executives, demonstrating the country’s commitment to fostering female leadership. “At Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics, the majority of students are female and many go on to build successful careers in diverse fields, including finance, entrepreneurship, consulting and government leadership. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been growing support for women in STEM and entrepreneurship. National programmes and initiatives actively encourage women to enter these high-impact fields, providing funding, mentorship and incubators to help female entrepreneurs and innovators succeed. In addition, the rise of fintech, AI and digital transformation have created new career pathways and women in Qatar are seizing these opportunities with confidence. “Qatar is also strengthening its position as a regional leader in women’s empowerment and career advancement. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly in ensuring greater female representation in leadership roles within traditionally male-dominated industries, such as energy and high- level finance. Continued efforts are needed to break barriers and create inclusive workplaces that support career advancement for women in these sectors.” Do you think opportunities for women to reach the highest leadership positions in business education have improved? “Opportunities have certainly improved in recent years, particularly in Qatar, where women are highly empowered and play a significant role in shaping the nation’s future. In business education, more women are stepping into senior roles, contributing to strategic decision-making and institutional development. However, challenges remain, including the need for greater representation in leadership
responsibilities and continued efforts to balance these duties with societal expectations.” Are you involved with any initiatives with regards to increasing female representation in the higher education industry? “I am actively involved in initiatives that promote leadership development for women in higher education. Through mentorship programmes and professional networks, we advocate for greater female representation and fostering an inclusive academic leadership landscape. One initiative our college has been involved with is the Virtual Female Student Leadership Expedition. Organised by the University of Connecticut in collaboration with Women Emerging and the Global Business Schools Network, this fellowship programme seeks to foster long-term impact and positive change in female leadership development.” How healthy is the current market for business education in your country and the surrounding region and what are the main challenges? “The business education market in Qatar and the broader MENA region is dynamic and evolving, shaped by economic diversification efforts, technological advancements and the growing emphasis on sustainability. In Qatar, demand for business education remains strong, driven by national initiatives such as Qatar National Vision 2030, which prioritises human capital development and innovation. The rise of fintech, entrepreneurship and digital transformation, meanwhile, has fuelled further interest in specialised business programmes. “However, challenges persist and key among these is ensuring that business education keeps pace with rapidly evolving industry demands. Public universities, in particular, often struggle to respond effectively due to their size, scope and structural complexities, impacting on their ability to achieve three central success factors in modern education: responsiveness, agility and flexibility. “Moreover, while universities are making strides in integrating experiential learning, digital tools and interdisciplinary approaches, a gap remains between academic theory and real-world application. At the same time, business schools in the region face increasing competition, pressure to attain
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Business Impact • ISSUE 3 • 2025
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