The Qatar Foundation Alumni Chapter for the UK – launched at a London gathering – is a platform aimed at helping its members support each other as their journeys continue to unfold, as well as to retain their ties with Qatar.
It is the second international Alumni Chapter to be established by Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Alumni Program, following the launch of its US and Canada equivalent in 2024.
Reflecting the global reach and impact of QF’s ecosystem of education, 137 of its alumni are currently working or pursuing further advanced studies in the UK, in fields including Artificial Intelligence, healthcare and medical research, policy, sustainability, communications, and humanitarianism.
“The true legacy of Qatar Foundation – and its schools, partner universities, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University – lies not in rankings or research output, but in the lives of our alumni,” said Francisco Marmolejo, President of Higher Education and Education Advisor, QF.
“Graduates of Qatar Foundation-supported institutions are now driving positive change in over 120 countries – living proof of our mission to unlock human potential.”
Speaking at the launch of the Chapter, diplomat and economic strategist Sheikha Alanoud H. Al-Thani, who currently serves as the Counselor for Economic Affairs at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the UK and is a graduate of QF’s Qatar Academy Doha and QF partner university HEC Paris, Doha, said: “This Chapter deepens the longstanding Qatar-UK partnership in education and innovation – not just through institutions, but through the living bridge of our alumni.”
Across the UK, graduates of QF schools and universities are now harnessing the skills, knowledge, and values they gained through their years of study and discovery at Education City in Doha, as government economists, data scientists, software engineers, doctors, neuroscientists, climate strategists, and legal experts, among other roles. Others are pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies in fields such as AI, public health, cancer research, and global affairs.
Among them is Dr. Basil Mahfouz, a data scientist at University College London and a graduate of QF partner university Georgetown University in Qatar. His projects focus on harnessing Artificial Intelligence to unlock knowledge and drive inclusive innovation, and he co-founded SynSapien, an open science platform that united global researchers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ulan Seitkaliyev, an alumnus of QF partner university Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and now a London-based software engineer for Bloomberg, said: “What stood out most for me during my time at QF was the incredible support we received, as well as the wide range of projects and opportunities available to explore our interests and pursue our own initiatives – it was an environment that truly encouraged creativity, independence, and innovation.”
Asmaa Alkuwari, Alumni Engagement Manager, QF, said: “This Chapter represents more than just a gathering, it’s part of a broader strategic effort by the QF Alumni Engagement Office to foster lasting, global connections among QF graduates.
“We are proud of the distinguished alumni based in the UK who hold influential roles across sectors and continue to carry QF’s values into the world through their work, leadership, and impact.”
