The program marks the first partnership between INJAZ Qatar and an international university Doha, Qatar, 22nd October 2012 - As part of its ongoing commitment to motivating, inspiring and developing Qatar’s youth, INJAZ Qatar, a non-profit organization and member of Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide has partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University – Qatar to launch the Company Program™. The Company Program™ is a module which has been incorporated into the Business of Design class, a key component of the Senior year undergraduate design program taught by Roger Griffiths, Director of Entrepreneurship and is expected to run from September to December 2012. This is not only the first time the Company Program™ is being taught at a University in Qatar, but also the first time it is being incorporated into a degree program, marking a significant milestone for INJAZ Qatar. The program will be taught at 12 schools and universities across Qatar this academic year. The Company Program™ provides students with the unique opportunity to establish and run a real company by developing a business idea, raising capital, producing and selling products/services. At the end of the program, students will also be able to liquidate the company with balance sheets and profit/loss statements and present their business to a panel of judges at the national competition. Aysha Al-Mudehki, INJAZ Qatar Executive Director commented: “The Company Program™ provides students with a creative environment to learn about the challenge of setting up a business, while providing them with a better understanding of the financial and managerial implications. I am truly looking forward to seeing all the exciting products and services that will result from the business’ the students set up, and I have no doubt it will be creative and different to anything we’ve seen in past years.” The program is typically delivered by senior level professionals from the banking and financial sector, with participating companies for this year including, Qatar Development Bank, Qtel, Standard Chartered, SEIB Insurance, State Street, MetLife Alico and Four and One Group who voluntarily run the courses. The Company Program™ at VCUQatar is being delivered by Bilal Saber, Director at Q- Solutions, and corporate volunteer with INJAZ Qatar since 2011. Allyson Vanstone, Dean of VCUQatar said, “At VCUQatar, we strongly believe in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset amongst our students, a key to developing a knowledge-based economy. We are honored to partner with INJAZ Qatar, as initiatives like this will help our region continue its transformation into a talent-rich destination and a powerful incubator for entrepreneurs,” Students taking part in the Company Program™ are expected to compete in Mubadara, INJAZ Qatar’s annual Young Enterprise of the Year competition at the end of the school year. The competition which was first organized in Doha in 2008, will see student-led enterprises established through the program compete for several awards including ‘Best Student Company of the Year’. The winning team will then take part in a regional competition against another 13 Arab countries in 2013. Roger Griffiths, Director of Entrepreneurship, VCUQatar states: “The INJAZ Qatar program combines the notion of a diversified economy for Qatar with the creativity of VCUQatar's design students. This program is an excellent vehicle to promote student-led creativity and entrepreneurship in the curriculum, enabling our students to develop innovative business models and go on to be leaders in their chosen field of design. Virtual business simulation games can only achieve so much, the INJAZ Company Program™ has brought real-life business challenges into the classroom – there is no better learning experience.” INJAZ Qatar is also partnering with 20 middle and secondary schools as well as Qatar University. Other unique programs offered by INJAZ Qatar at the secondary and university level include Banks in Action, Success Skills, Be Entrepreneurial and Innovation Camp. ILQ NEWS

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