UDC and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar Sign MoU to Advance Education and Research

Signing Ceremony and Participants

In Doha, Qatar, United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), a Qatar Foundation partner university. Both organisations are headquartered in Doha, Qatar. The ceremony took place at the Oyster Building on The Pearl Island, with senior representatives from both organisations present. President and Chief Executive Officer of UDC, Yasser Salah Al Jaidah, and Dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Professor Michael Trick, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.

Areas of Cooperation

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in education, scientific research, strategic studies and community development. Specific fields highlighted include Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Business Administration and Information Systems. The agreement aims to link UDC’s experience in developing integrated destinations with CMU‑Q’s academic and research capabilities, creating opportunities to apply specialised knowledge to UDC’s projects, programmes and the wider community.

Statements from Leaders

Yasser Salah Al Jaidah said, “At UDC, we recognise that the development of successful destinations is driven not only by the quality of the places we create, but also by the knowledge, capabilities and innovation that support them. This MoU therefore provides UDC with a valuable platform to engage with Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar across areas that are increasingly relevant to the future of our business and communities. Through collaboration in research, education, knowledge exchange and student engagement, we can connect academic expertise with real-world opportunities and translate shared knowledge into practical value for UDC, CMU‑Q and the wider community.”

Professor Michael Trick remarked, “Strategic partnerships bring together the deep knowledge of a university and the real-world expertise of industry, a combination that sparks innovation and shapes how we approach problem solving with our students. We are very pleased to work with UDC, and for our students to have opportunities to learn about the complex strategy behind building communities.”

Broader Implications

Beyond research and education, the MoU provides for the exchange of professional expertise and researchers, as well as joint conferences, seminars and specialised workshops. It also opens pathways for CMU‑Q students to gain practical experience through internships, employment opportunities and participation in UDC community initiatives across The Pearl and Gewan Islands. The collaboration may draw on the wider academic resources of Carnegie Mellon University, including selected schools and research institutes in the United States. For UDC, the link supports its approach to destination development, where residential, commercial, educational, social and community experiences form a wider ecosystem, allowing academic thinking and practical experience to move ideas from the classroom into the places and communities they are intended to serve.