Qatar University (QU)'s Foundation Program (FP), in collaboration with the College of Business and Economics (CBE) and Qatar Development Bank (QDB), successfully orchestrated the Foundation Program Showcase Event on 22 November 2023. This event spotlighted the inventive ideas of 275 students—comprising 55 female teams and 15 male teams from the Business English course ENGL 252, who presented a range of innovative business concepts. The event was a vibrant display of entrepreneurial talent and forward-thinking ideas, attended by a diverse audience that included university students and business professionals.

This showcase marked the culmination of the Business English Entrepreneurship Project, where students were tasked with applying their business acumen and refining their English communication skills specifically for the Qatari market. The students' remarkable enthusiasm throughout the entire endeavor was what really made this event stand out.

Distinguished attendees included Dr. Rana Sobh, Dean of CBE; Dr. Saeed Al-Bana, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship; Dr. Hala Hadba, FP Acting Associate Director; Dr. Abir Ahmed, the Acting Head of Department of the English Foundation Program; and a QDB representative. Faculty members from CBE and FP commended students for their passion and confidence during the event, which spanned three hours and featured meticulous evaluations by a panel of judges from FP, the Center for Entrepreneurship, and QDB.

The showcase event was followed by the Foundation Program Entrepreneurial Excellence Award Ceremony on November 27th. Together with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Organizational Excellence (CEOE) of the College of Business and Economics, Qatar Development Bank (QDB), the Foundation Program hosted the Award Ceremony to commemorate the outstanding achievements of female student teams from the Showcase Event, particularly those who earned first place for their innovative business concepts.

At the Showcase Event, instructors nominated teams, which underwent comprehensive evaluations across various categories, including innovation, entrepreneurship, social impact, creative thinking, technology influence, community engagement, sustainability, growth potential, an outstanding English pitch, and exceptional hospitality and networking.

The joint initiative with the College of Business and Economics brought together representatives from all stakeholders. Notable attendees included Dr. Hezam Al-Awah, FP Program Director; Dr. Mohammed El-Gammal, Section Head of Case Study and Community Engagement for CEOE; Dr. Hala Hadba, Dr. Abir Ahmed, Ahmad Al-Saygh, a representative from QDB; Ms. Roula Raid, owner of Roula Art, who provided gifts to the winning teams; and several local entrepreneurs.

On this occasion, Dr. Hezam Al-Awah, FP Director, highlighted that this exhibition embodies the ongoing efforts within the Foundation Program to cultivate students’ skills and enhance the entrepreneurial spirit in university life. Supporting these initiatives reflects the university’s commitment to developing and enhancing leadership and innovation skills among its students. Dr. Hazem said, “We extend our gratitude to all participating male and female students and faculty members. Their involvement signifies a commitment to the future of entrepreneurship in Qatar, and we eagerly anticipate the development and contribution of their projects.”

It is worth mentioning that the Award Ceremony served as a platform to honor students' diligent efforts, celebrate collaborative contributions, and inspire future entrepreneurial pursuits. Through the Showcase Event and the subsequent Award ceremony, the ENGL 252 course team aims to nurture a conducive learning environment, fostering motivation for excellence in both coursework at Qatar University and entrepreneurial endeavors.