[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATION OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BUILDING OF WEILL CORNELL 
                        MEDICAL COLLEGE IN QATAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, on October 12, 2003, Weill Cornell Medical 
College and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community 
Development embarked on an historical venture that brings the best of 
American medical education to the Middle East. I was privileged to 
participate in this extraordinary event along with Qatar Foundation 
Leadership: Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad; Saif Ali Al-
Hajari, Vice Chairperson; H.E. Yousef Hussein Kamal, Member Board of 
Directors; H.E. Hajar Ahmed Hajar, Member, Board of Directors; Sheikha 
bint Abdullah Al-Misnad, Member, Board of Directors; Mohammed Fathy 
Saoud, Member, Board of Directors; and, Cornell University Leadership: 
Peter C. Meinig, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Sanford I. Weill, 
Chairman, Board of Overseers Weill Cornell Medical College; Jeffrey S. 
Lehman, President; Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., Provost for Medical Affairs 
and Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean, Weill Cornell Medical College; 
Daniel R. Alonso, Dean, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. 
Together with these esteemed colleagues, we marked the opening of a 
model institution that I hope will be replicated throughout the region.
  I first visited Doha, Qatar in 1999 for the historic municipal 
elections where women were first granted the right to vote. At that 
time, I met with Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad who 
requested help in bringing a U.S. medical school to Qatar. I did not 
have to look far to find an extraordinary medical institution that is 
located in my Congressional district. As a result, I took a small part 
in working to forge the relationship between Her Highness and Dean 
Gotto, Provost for Medical Affairs at Cornell University. Just a few 
short weeks ago, the Qatar branch of the Weill Cornell Medical College 
celebrated its inauguration.
  In a very short period of time, Doha has been transformed into an 
academic hub of the Middle East and has become a strategic ally of the 
United States. Under the leadership of Her Highness, Qatar has made 
significant advancements in education, medicine, and science with the 
opening of the Education City. I strongly believe that the opening of 
WCMC-Q marks the beginning of an important exchange between the West 
and the East . . . at a time when the value of mutual understanding is 
at a premium. Qatar offers a superb environment and facilities for both 
teaching and studying, backed by an outstanding technological center. 
It has been an honor to be involved in the development of the Weill 
Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and I look forward to marking the 
evolution of the entire Education City.

  Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar is a pioneer in medical 
education as well as in diplomatic exchange. The College offers a 
complete medical education, leading to a Cornell University Doctor of 
Medicine (M.D.) degree, with teaching by Cornell faculty. It is the 
first American university to offer its M.D. degree overseas, and the 
first higher education institution in Qatar to be coeducational; women 
made up 70 percent of the inaugural class for the Pre-medical Program. 
These points are very important. Prospective students are subject to 
the same entrance requirements as in the United States and are awarded 
the same degree as students in the U.S. While WCMC-Q teaches in a 
coeducational forum, the students and faculty are learning together 
about cultural differences that only serve to enhance the learning 
environment. WCMC-Q aims to further the University's commitment of 
education, research, patient care and the advancement of the art and 
science of medicine while supporting the work of the Qatar Foundation 
in serving the community. WCMC-Q trains the physicians of the future 
and will research medical problems of concern in the region.
  His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Her 
Highness Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad have made an ambitious and 
visionary investment in their people and their economy by creating the 
Education City. Recognizing that development and advancement will only 
come with an upgrade to the educational system, they have succeeded in 
fostering the interaction of various disciplines, cultures, and ideas 
through the Education City. The Qatar Foundation logo, the Sidra tree, 
represents nourishment for these ideals and serves as a reminder that 
Qatar is forging the way for democracy, freedom, and human rights in 
the region.
  I feel privileged to have participated in this revolutionary event 
and I would like to reiterate my praise for both the Qatar Foundation 
and for Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. You have built a bridge 
that will have a far-reaching impact into the future and will serve as 
a model of achievement for many to follow.

                          ____________________