Qatar University College of Business and Economics (QU-CBE) yesterday announced the establishment of a new PhD in Business Administration, the College’s first doctoral programme.
The announcement was made in a press conference led by CBE dean Dr Nitham Hindi and CBE associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies Dr Belaid Aouni who outlined details of the new programme, in the presence of CBE faculty and staff, as well as local media representatives.
The 4-year programme, is the first-of-its-kind in Qatar, and will be conducted in English. It comprises of five disciplines – Information Systems, Management, Marketing, Accounting and Finance.
It was designed to meet the needs of the labour market for high-qualified professionals in the field of business management, in line with the country’s ambitions towards a knowledge-based economy. Decision to establish the programme was based on a survey conducted by CBE that engaged working QU graduates, and leaders of various  government and private-sector organisations in Qatar, Dr Hindi said.
Admission requirements include completion of a Master’s in Business Management with a minimum GPA of 3 over 4; GMAT – the minimum score will be determined based on the applicants’ obtained score; TOEFL minimum score of 550 and IELTS 6.0 for students who graduated from a programme where English is not the language of instruction; a final thesis proposal and  successful performance in a personal interview
Priority admission will be given to QU business management graduate students, Dr Hindi said, adding that the programme will start with 6 students in Fall this year, with the admission process already started this month. Applications can be completed via QU website (http://www.qu.edu.qa/students/admission/graduate/apply.php). He further noted that graduation from the programme will require students to complete 60 credit hours – 30 credit hours for coursework and 30 credit hours for final thesis.
Dr Hindi said: “The labour market is ripe for specialists in this field as the demand of the business and finance sector in Qatar increases. In establishing the new PhD programme, CBE is committed to providing intellectual and professional development opportunities to ensure graduates’ achievement of excellence and preparation for their chosen specialisations. We are positioned to offer this new PhD programme that will graduate business scientists  who will contribute to the country’s burgeoning economic development and progress. I expect that it will attract wide interest from students from diverse disciplines.”
Dr Aouni said: “This programme prepares professionals who will add value to the fast-growing business and finance professions on the local and international level. It also aligns with the college’s ongoing efforts to provide students with opportunities to explore existing and emerging developments and changes in the sector and get a better insight into the roles and responsibilities they will encounter in the labour market in Qatar and beyond.”