Australian Ambassador to Qatar H E Shane Flanagan and Vice-Chairman of BUC Dr. Hassan Al-Derham with other officials during the event.
Doha, Qatar: In a landmark initiative to foster future-ready talent and deepen bilateral ties, the Australian Ambassador to Qatar in collaboration with Barzan University College (BUC) and Swinburne University of Technology, hosted an exclusive Industry Breakfast Briefing at The Westin Doha.
Titled “Future-Focused: Advancing Talent through Industry–Education Engagement,” the event brought together 50 senior leaders from Qatar’s energy, technology, infrastructure, education and finance sectors. The gathering served as a platform for strategic dialogue on workforce development, applied learning, and collaborative innovation between academia and industry.
Swinburne University of Technology, renowned for its industry-integrated approach to education, showcased how its model bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world application. With a strong emphasis on employability, innovation, and co-designed programmes, Swinburne’s success in Australia offers a compelling blueprint for Qatar. BUC is actively working to adapt and apply this model to support the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030—particularly in cultivating a knowledge-based economy and empowering a highly skilled, future-ready workforce.
“We believe that meaningful partnerships between industry and education are essential to achieving Qatar’s national development goals,” said Dr. Hassan Al-Derham, Vice-Chairman of BUC. “Our mission is to cultivate a future-ready workforce by embedding real-world relevance into every aspect of learning. This collaboration with Swinburne is a strategic step toward developing talent that meets the evolving needs of our economy.”
The event opened with remarks from Australian Ambassador to Qatar H E Shane Flanagan, who emphasized the importance of education diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.
“This initiative reflects the deepening ties between Australia and Qatar, built on a shared commitment to innovation, education, and economic resilience,” said Ambassador Flanagan. “By championing collaborative efforts that empower emerging talent, we are investing in a resilient, future-ready workforce that will drive sustainable growth across both nations.”
Justin Kerr-Stevens, Chairman of the Australia Qatar Business Association, highlighted the role of cross-sector collaboration in shaping the future workforce.
