HEC Paris Partners with Emirates Global Aluminum to Deliver Transformational Leadership Program
Doha, 4 March 2025 – HEC Paris, the world’s top-ranked business school for Executive Education, is delivering a custom leadership program for Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA). Ascend is a bespoke leadership program for high-potential leaders from non-supervisory to Directors. The program supports leaders to cultivate a forward-thinking mindset through immersive experiences and masterclasses to drive innovation. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Developing our people has been a key foundation of our global competitiveness for decades, and is an important priority at EGA to achieve our bold aspiration to become a talent-driven organisation. Our goal with Ascend programme is to equip our top talent with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in their roles and accelerate their growth.” Led by Professor Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Academic Director and Associate Professor of Entrepreneurial Leadership and Diversity at HEC Paris, Doha, the program provides participants with high-impact strategies that can immediately be applied within EGA. The recent module, delivered in Doha, focused on essential leadership competencies for managing large-scale organizational change. Participants explored proven frameworks to diagnose challenges, manage disruption, and implement transformation strategies with confidence and precision. Professor Shaheena emphasized the significance of the program, stating, “Leading transformation requires more than technical expertise; it demands vision, adaptability, and the ability to inspire action across an organization. This program equips participants with the strategic tools and leadership insights needed to drive innovation and transformation and create meaningful impact.” To complement in-class learning, participants engaged in a site visit to Microsoft’s Digital Center of Excellence and headquarters in Doha, where they explored cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and sustainable technology. The visit also showcased the launch of Qatar’s first data center, a pivotal milestone in digital transformation, local data residency, and cybersecurity. Participants gained insights into the Microsoft AI for Good initiative, which promotes responsible AI applications across industries, including transportation, sports, and tourism. The Ascend Level 3 program unfolds across three modules. The first module, ‘Innovation & Sustainability’, took place in Dubai in November, and focused on sustainable business strategies. The final module will take place in Dubai this April, where participants will engage in a business simulation – a high-pressure strategic exercise requiring real-time decision-making in investment, marketing, procurement, and finance. Building on its legacy of excellence in executive education, HEC Paris continues to partner with leading organizations across the GCC, including Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Through its custom-designed programs, HEC Paris empowers senior executives to drive innovation, create lasting impact, and lead with confidence in an increasingly complex business landscape.
HEC Paris, Doha Reveals New Insights into Qatar’s Startup Ecosystem at Web Summit 2025
HEC Paris, Doha Partners as Academic Collaborator on Pioneering Report Eight Country-Specific Reports on Qatar Set for Release Later This Year Doha, 2 March 2025 – The Qatar Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 2024: Structural and Configurational Analysis report was officially launched at Web Summit Qatar 2025, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s entrepreneurial development. This new study provides a data-driven roadmap for fostering innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable economic growth in the region. A collaboration between HEC Paris, Doha, and the Observatory for Support of Entrepreneurship (OSE) in Africa, the research introduces a proven analytical framework – already implemented in 33 countries – to the GCC region. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has been confirmed as a key partner in this initiative. Mr. Faraj Jassem Abdulla, Director of the Digital Economy Department at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, stated, “We are committed to driving Qatar’s digital transformation and fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. This report offers insights that will contribute to our efforts in creating an environment where innovation can flourish. By leveraging cutting-edge research and collaborative partnerships, we aim to empower entrepreneurs, accelerate sustainable economic growth, and ensure alignment with the objectives of Qatar Digital Agenda 2030 and National Vision 2030.” Led by Dr. Allan Villegas-Mateos, Senior Research Fellow and Entrepreneur in Residence at HEC Paris, Doha, the comprehensive 120-page study analyzes Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem from 2018 to 2023. It offers policymakers, investors, and industry leaders actionable insights to accelerate innovation and business growth. The findings highlight underdeveloped sectors such as FinTech, AgriTech, and DeepTech, which present high-growth investment opportunities. Lusail and Al-Khor are identified as emerging hubs requiring targeted support. Strengthening ties between universities and venture capitalists is essential for commercializing research and fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Digital platforms must be leveraged to enhance knowledge exchange, connectivity, and access to funding. “This report represents a paradigm shift in how we understand and nurture entrepreneurship in Qatar,” said Dr. Allan Villegas-Mateos. “Using network analysis, natural language processing, and ecosystem mapping, we have developed a unique methodology that not only diagnoses challenges but also offers concrete pathways for growth. Our collaboration with MCIT and the Observatory enables us to deliver actionable insights that will shape Qatar’s economic future.” Dr. Pablo Martin de Holan, Dean of HEC Paris, Doha emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Qatar has shown exceptional leadership in fostering innovation within the framework of the National Vision 2030, and this report is an essential tool for policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs interested in innovation and change. The report findings highlight the need for close collaboration between academia, entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors, as well as the need for enhanced support structures and a commitment to inclusivity – key elements for ensuring long-term growth and sustainability.” This initiative leverages the work of the Observatory for Support of Entrepreneurship, established in 2023, in Casablanca, Marocco, by a scientific council of leading scholars in the field from Adalia Institute, Utrecht University, IAE Paris Sorbonne Business School, and IAE Lyon School of Management. Furthermore, the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) will play an important role in ensuring global awareness of this report through its extensive network, amplifying its impact and facilitating knowledge exchange among international entrepreneurial ecosystems. “This approach is already attracting interest from regional stakeholders eager to contribute to the GCC’s entrepreneurship narrative,” added Dr. Villegas-Mateos. To sustain this momentum, eight additional reports are scheduled for release throughout 2025, covering investment trends, capital flow analysis, sector-specific innovation strategies, the impact of regulatory reforms on entrepreneurship, talent development and workforce readiness, and global competitiveness benchmarking. The full 2024 report is available for download at https://www.ose.africa/gcc/qatar/, and stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the findings to help shape Qatar’s entrepreneurial landscape.
