DOHA, Qatar -- Dr. Elsa Murano, president of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, recently made her first visit to Texas A&M University at Qatar in Doha, Qatar.

Dr. Murano began her tenure as president of Texas A&M's main campus in January 2008. Her recent professional positions include vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M from 2005 until her appointment as president and undersecretary for food safety at the United States Department of Agriculture from 2001 to 2004.

She is the first Hispanic-American and first woman to serve as Texas A&M's president in the university's 131-year history. Dr. Murano earned her bachelor's degree from Florida International University and both her master's and doctoral degrees from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

While on the Doha campus, Dr. Murano met with TAMUQ students including May 2008 graduates, Student Body Government and other undergraduates. The Aggie Ambassadors escorted the president on a tour of the Texas A&M Engineering building, a state-of-the-art facility providing over 55,000 square meters for academic teaching and research. Lulwa Al-Maslamani, a TAMUQ student, commented on the president's visit, "I was proud to see that Texas A&M University's president is a [woman]. [She] just gives me hope that one day I might be a president or CEO of a company."

Dr. Murano participated in a meeting with Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, chairperson of Qatar Foundation. Dr. Fathy Saoud, president of Qatar Foundation, Dr. Abdulla Al-Thani, vice president for education, Qatar Foundation and other Qatar Foundation senior management conferred with the Texas A&M president as well. Additional stakeholders in the success of Texas A&M University at Qatar including the TAMUQ Engineering Advisory Board, industry and research partners, and faculty also met with Dr. Murano. Texas A&M University at Qatar's research program was the focus of a discussion between the president, Qatar Foundation officials, representatives from the main campus and TAMUQ, and board members from Qatar Scientific and Technology Park. At present, TAMUQ faculty has been awarded over $15 million in research funding.

"We were pleased to host Dr. Murano and have her observe firsthand the unique partnership between Texas A&M and Qatar Foundation," commented Dr. Mark Weichold, dean and CEO of Texas A&M University at Qatar. "Her visit also afforded our students an opportunity to interact with a distinguished researcher and academician. Dr. Murano is exactly the type of professional role model we envision our students emulating."

Several members of Dr. Murano's executive staff traveled with her to Doha. Cabinet members included Michael O'Quinn, vice president for institutional and federal affairs, Mary Pletzer, executive personal assistant to President Murano, Dr. Karan Watson, dean of faculties, Dr. Bob Webb, associate dean for undergraduate research, and Chad Wooton, vice president for development and strategic outreach. For an introduction to the local culture, the delegation toured Souq Waqif, Doha's recently restored traditional marketplace.

Dr. Murano participated in a joint meeting with Her Highness Sheikha Mozah and the presidents from other Education City universities. During a reception held at Sharq Village & Spa, the Qatar A&M Club presented the president and Dr. Weichold with a 15,000QR ($4,100) check to be used for student scholarships. Attendance at the Education City Senior Convocation ceremony concluded Dr. Murano's stay in Doha.

President Murano summed up her visit with a message about the graduating class.  "I am so proud of our graduating students! They represent the best and the brightest. Our faculty and staff at Texas A&M at Qatar have done an outstanding job in preparing them for the many opportunities before them, and I could not be more excited for these new graduates!" Murano said.

Texas A&M University at Qatar offers degrees in four disciplines: chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering. TAMUQ will honor a class of thirty students at a graduation ceremony May 15, 2008 to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel.