Launch event for QU taxation minor held
QATAR University’s (QU) College of Business and Economics hosted a launching event for the minor in taxation, in cooperation with the General Tax Authority (GTA) and Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).
In his opening statement on the occasion, QU President, Dr. Hassan Al-Derham said: “The launch of this minor reflects the university’s keenness to respond quickly to the changes in the labour market and its ability to provide new programmes that meet the needs of the state and the business community. The development of this programme came in response to the tax policies and legislation in the countries of the region that have been approved in recent years, to achieve further comprehensive economic diversification, which includes diversifying government revenue sources and reducing dependence on oil and gas as a main source of government revenue.
“This calls for reconsidering and developing other educational programmes in line with the new financial and economic policies in the Gulf countries. We expect that graduates of this programme will have a major role in making and formulating economic and tax policies that reflect the direction of the countries of this region towards tax reform.”
General Tax Authority President Ahmed bin Issa Al Mohannadi said in his speech: “We have been keen to cooperate with Qatar University to introduce the new minor, which will prepare the national academic competencies, enhance efforts to localise jobs, and support the country’s capabilities of qualified cadres in the tax sector, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Qatar Financial Centre Chief Financial and Tax Officer Hamed Al-Saadi said: “The QFC has always sought to strengthen partnerships with many universities and scientific research institutions, and to support programmes and initiatives aimed at creating qualified national cadres to meet the requirements and challenges of the labour market, believing in the importance of advancing the education and scientific research sectors in achieving economic development goals.”
He added, “The launch of this minor is the culmination of the joint efforts between the QFC and Qatar University, and as another testament to the country’s leadership in the field of education, as this program is the first of its kind in the region, which will contribute to enhancing the business environment and diversifying the national economy.”
College of Business and Economics Dean Prof. Rana Sobh also spoke at the event noting that the establishment of the minor could not have been implemented without the support of the efforts of the General Tax Authority and the Qatar Financial Centre. “In the College of Business and Economics and in Qatar University in general, we do not celebrate new programmes or majors, as this happens regularly. We are today not celebrating the new minor but rather celebrating a success story, an example and a model for a partnership between the College and government bodies and business entities.”