doha • The Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar (CMUQ) has honoured 14 companies in recognition of their dedication in facilitating internship programmes for students.

The event, held at Four Seasons Hotel on Wednesday, was addressed by CMUQ Dean Chuck Thorpe.

“Internship programmes are important to our students in so many ways. They are a big step toward exploring careers and finding out about the workplace. Beyond that, they offer students the opportunity to apply problem solving skills and team work in a real environment", said Thorpe.

Delivering the key note address, Qatar Foundation Vice President Dr Abdulla Al Thani said the focus of the Foundation is to equip a new generation of young people to enter the workplace and lead the society and the economy forward. “Qatar Foundation’s goal is no less than to develop our society in a way that will bring its prosperity and well-being that will continue long after the revenues from our gas reserves have declined. We know that the way to achieve this is to invest in education, which will give our young people knowledge and unlock their limitless creative potential,” he said

Addressing the function, Khadra Dualeh, director of professional development, CMUQ, said internships give companies a chance to invest in the future of Qatar and the region as a whole. It’s a positive experience for both the students and the companies. “By having student interns, corporations benefit from the exuberance and fresh problem-solving approach of Carnegie Mellon students. Employers are also able to pre-screen potential employees,” Dualeh said.

Companies which were honoured at the event include Al Fardan Group, Commercialbank, ConocoPhillips, Four Seasons Hotel, General Electric, Golden Gate Securities (Dubai), HSBC Bank, Ministry of Finance, Qatar Gas, Qatar Petroleum, Q-Cert, Qtel, RasGas and Speciality Teaching Hospital.