Ribbon-Cutting in Qatar Celebrates New WCMC-Q Building

	The new WCMC-Q building features lecture halls, laboratory facilities, and an electronic library.

The new building of Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q), a remarkable structure that houses state-of-the-art facilities and resources, was celebrated during a unique ribbon-cutting ceremony held in Qatar's Education City on Oct. 12, and also marked the first of three inauguration ceremonies for Cornell University's 11th president, Jeffrey Lehman.

The new building, commissioned by the Qatar Foundation, was designed by world-renowned architect Arata Isozaki and was completed in time for the 2003-2004 academic year. It was inspired by traditional Arab-Islamic architecture and includes lecture halls designed to optimize the teaching and learning experience, extensive laboratory facilities, and an innovative electronic library. The opening of the new WCMC-Q building was made complete by the formal cutting of a ribbon by President Lehman and Sanford Weill, chairman of Weill Cornell's Board of Overseers.

Many guests came from throughout the world to witness the official launch of Education City—a multi-institutional campus situated on the outskirts of Doha, Qatar's capital city, which is set to include the world's top universities. Participants included Dr. Antonio Gotto, dean of the Medical College ( Click here to read Dr. Gotto's full speech); Sanford Weill; His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the state of Qatar; Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned, chairperson of the Qatar Foundation; Peter Meinig, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University; Dr. Daniel Alonso, dean of WCMC-Q; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney; Arata Isozaki, the architect who headed the group of the WCMC-Q building designers; and many other affiliates of Cornell and leaders of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development.

	The opening of the new WCMC-Q building was made complete by the formal cutting of a ribbon by President Lehman (right) and Mr. Weill.

The event also signaled an era of unprecedented happenings: no inauguration celebration for a Cornell president has ever been held outside the U.S. In addition, WCMC-Q is the first branch of an American medical school ever established overseas to offer an M.D. degree and is the first coeducational institution of higher learning in Qatar. The six-year integrated program at WCMC-Q is divided into a two-year, non-degree pre-medical program, followed by a four-year medical program, leading to the M.D. degree. The branch was established by Cornell University following the signing in New York of an agreement with the Qatar Foundation in April 2001. WCMC-Q will graduate its first class in 2008.

Other highlights included in the ceremonies were a plaque presentation dedicating the new building; a special luncheon held in North Hall as well as a "One Thousand and One Nights" dinner at the Ritz-Carlton; a press conference, in which several international news agencies were represented; a panel discussion focusing on the changing roles of Qatari women; and a night at the opera.

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