I am extremely happy to inaugurate with you today the Education City, which by your presence you join the people of Qatar on the occasion of its launching.

      Usually whenever we celebrate the opening of a new project in Qatar, people tend to think that it is related to energy or industry. Today, however, we are celebrating an event that surpasses in its significance any economic or industrial project however large it might be, because it is in fact the foundation and the pillar that will secure the success of any other future project.

      Hence our concern and keenness on developing and modernizing or educational system as being a referential framework with which our goal of comprehensive development will be fulfilled.

      As you know, there is no education without a human aim or target. I would say, here, that our intellectual and cultural heritage which is derived from our Arab-Islamic civilization is completely in line with this concept; the essence of man’s existence, in our faith, is cultivation of the earth. The pursuit of wholesome knowledge is an imperative obligation.

      When we decided some eight years ago to establish Qatar Foundation For Education, Science and Community Development, it was because of our conviction of all that and our belief in the need to cope with the plans of educational updating which have come to assume an international and global dimension and because of our appreciation for the role of private enterprise in stimulating advancement and constructive competition.

      We have become even more deeply convinced of the necessity to foster this course so as to become effective partners in what has come to be known as the new world educational system, which requires not only to address the market demands but also recognizes that education is a universal right, and hence enables students wherever they might be to have access to the means of innovation, creativity, acquisition of knowledge and expertise and the practice of responsibility.

      These are the qualifications which we expect to be acquired not only by our student sons and daughters in their Education City in various learning stages and university branches or research centers, but which we are resolved to have them extended to all public schools and the University of Qatar.

      We hope that our Education City becomes a lighthouse for learning and scientific research through its present centers or those to be opened in the near future.

      I also expect of the prestigious university institutions that have entered with Qatar Foundation For Education, Science and Community Development into strategic partnership for education, research and rehabilitation to take into consideration the development priorities of our society when drawing their educational programs.

      Last but not least, I hope that the scientific and educational output of this city will prevail in all directions to benefit all who want to make use of its bounty, and hence its data base turns into a reservoir accessible to all through non-traditional means of education.

Honourable Audience,

      I thank you for your attendance which we appreciate and consider as evidence of the significance of this occasion which we are celebrating.

May the peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.