Last Wednesday, CBE hosted Siemens WLL Qatar CEO Mr Martin A Portà who was named as this month’s Executive-in-Residence (EIR) at the college. The EIR program is an interactive business forum at the College which hosts business leaders in Qatar to engage and update its students on developments in the field of business and finance.

Accompanied by CBE members Dean Dr Nitham Hindi, Head of Department of Marketing and Management Dr Rana Sobh, and External Relations Director Ms Fatima Al Emadi, Mr Portà visited with QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al-Misnad who highlighted the organization’s successes and achievements in a number of areas. Prof Al-Misnad extended her appreciation to Siemens who she said, like other partners, has stepped up efforts to strengthen the bonds between academia and the business and industrial sectors.

 Commenting on the visit, Dr Hindi said: "This was a great opportunity for our students to know more about Siemens as one of the most remarkable industrial and construction companies in the region. No doubt, hosting such forums is an example of our continuous efforts to produce resourceful and responsible graduates who can serve Qatar locally, regionally and globally”.

In his remarks, Mr Portà applauded the role of the Program in providing an interactive platform between students and business representatives. “This Program gives us as business officials a great opportunity to hear directly from students and helps us to establish a strong plan for the future by offering training, internship and job opportunities”, he said.

 Mr Portà outlined Siemens’ relationship with Qatar, and highlighted the company’s achievements and accomplishments in the country. Today, 80% of the high end diagnostics equipment in Qatar is supplied and maintained by Siemens, and as a pioneer in green infrastructure, the company is the leading partner in solving issues associated with large infrastructure projects, he said, noting that in 2010, the company generated revenues of approximately €28 billion from the products and solutions in its environmental portfolio, positioning it to contribute to overcoming the challenges of Qatar Vision 2030 in terms of sustainability.

He added further: “Siemens has had a number of 'firsts' in Qatar which include the first Magnetic Resonance Imaging system installed at Hamad General Hospital in 1991, equipment installed at the first oncology center in Al Amal Hospital in 2003, as well as the region’s first multi-axis Angio system to aid in cardio-thoracic procedures at the Heart Hospital”.