Texas A&M University presents former Energy & Industry minister with honorary doctorate
Published May 21, 2019Texas A&M University recently presented an honorary doctorate to His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada during commencement ceremonies for Texas A&M University at Qatar at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
The honorary Doctor of Letters degree was presented to H.E. Dr. Al-Sada by Texas A&M vice provost and Chief International Officer Dr. Michael Benedik; Texas A&M University at Qatar dean Dr. César Octavio Malavé and Dr. Hassan S. Bazzi, associate dean for research at the Qatar branch campus. Texas A&M President Michael K. Young and Provost and Executive Vice President Carol A. Fierke recognized H.E. Dr. Al-Sada for his scholarly work and his numerous contributions to education in the region with a private ceremony in Doha.
“Texas A&M is a proud contributor to Qatar’s development and an enthusiastic partner in achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030,” Benedik said, “and His Excellency has been an essential part of our efforts and successes. Thanks in large part to his guidance and support, Texas A&M is able to contribute directly to the human capital required for Qatar to flourish.”
An advocate for education at every level, H.E. Dr. Al-Sada has mentored young people, supported development of primary and secondary education policy and practice and advocated for teachers through nonprofits such as Teach for Qatar.
He has been an avid supporter of Texas A&M’s Qatar campus since its earliest inception of partnership with Qatar Foundation and the renowned Education City initiative, now known as home to several leading universities and research institutes. Serving as chairman of the Texas A&M at Qatar Joint Advisory Board, H.E. Dr. Al-Sada has been instrumental in the branch campus’s emergence as the premier provider of engineering education in the region.
Malavé said, “His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada has been instrumental in the growth and development of Texas A&M at Qatar, and his work has been essential in the dynamic evolution of the energy and industry sectors in the State of Qatar. Since the earliest days of the Texas A&M branch campus in Qatar, His Excellency has been a steadfast supporter of high-quality engineering education.
He is a role model and source of inspiration for our students, and it truly is a privilege to recognize him for his tremendous support of Texas A&M at Qatar.”
Born and raised in the small rural town of Ruwais, Qatar, known for fishing and pearl diving, H.E. Dr. Al-Sada rose to a distinguished career as respected global leader for energy, engineering and education.
He graduated from Qatar University with a bachelor’s degree in marine science and geology. Later he received master’s and doctoral degrees in corrosion science and engineering from the University of Manchester in the U.K.
He began a career with Qatar Petroleum in 1983 and would go on to lead numerous of the company’s divisions and subsidiaries. As Technical Director, he oversaw major Oil & Gas and infrastructure projects which enabled Qatar’s rapid development as a global energy provider.
In 2007, he was named Minister of State for Energy and Industry Affairs and subsequently, in 2011, Minister of Energy and Industry, where he not only helped direct the economic transformation of Qatar and the world’s energy markets, but also advanced the social development of his country through education.
H.E. Dr. Al-Sada has received several awards and recognitions as a creative director for the oil and gas industry, construction, global energy policy, and energy markets. He has served in a variety of leadership positions for Qatar and the region, including membership on the Board of Directors of the Qatar Foundation and Supreme Education Council. He also chairs the Board of Trustees for College of the North Atlantic in Qatar.
In 2016, he served as President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and also President of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Ministerial meeting.
