A group of Global Executive MBA students from Georgetown University visited the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) in Doha to see, hear and learn about Qatar's plans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ and beyond.

The delegation of 30 students and five faculty members was in Doha as part of a week-long module titled "The Politics of doing business in the Middle East and North Africa"

Upon arrival at Al Bidda Tower, the group was given a private tour of the SC's Legacy Pavilion – during which they were given progress updates on all infrastructure projects and introduced to each of the SC's legacy programmes, including Generation Amazing, Community Engagement and the Josoor Institute.

Following the tour, the delegation was given a special welcome address by Nasser Al Khater, the SC's Assistant Secretary General for Tournament Affairs, before he opened the floor for a Q&A session.

Among the topics covered were the SC's role in working towards Qatar National Vision 2030, the impact of the ongoing blockade and the SC's business contingency plans and the commitment to delivering a sustainable 2022 FIFA World Cup™ infrastructure plan that leaves a lasting legacy.

Following the day's events, Sean Fellows, Senior Vice President at National Security Technology Accelerator and member of the delegation, said he and his colleagues had been hugely impressed with what they had seen, the development plans in place and how the country is retaining its tradition despite rapid growth.

"What is unique here is that there is a difference between rapid growth and smart growth – sometimes they can be working together and sometimes they're mutually exclusive," he said. "I think seeing the way that infrastructure has been built so far, and the way the steps have been taken to ensure the growth is sustainable, it's very exciting. This city is definitely positioning itself to become a new regional centre for business and sports."

He continued: "I think there's a simplicity to this city – in a positive way. I come here from Las Vegas, Nevada, which comparatively speaking is also a new city and suffers what many such cities do, in that it feels artificial. Doha does not feel artificial – and coming here for the first time it really does feel like you can truly get the sights, sounds and tastes of this region, which is not always possible.

"At the same time it is advancing and developing on a large scale – and as we've heard, shifting to a knowledge-based economy, but doing so in a way that still allows the local traditions to be upheld and for it to retain its history and tradition. It really is a special achievement."

And on the plans for the FIFA World Cup™ in 2022, Fellows said he is sure it will act as a catalyst to propel the status of Qatar and the Middle East across the world.

He added: "I think the World Cup is really going to allow Qatar to be the jewel of the Middle East – and that is going to give an opportunity to the world to see the Middle East in a different light. The warmth and the glow that is here could truly shine a light on the entire Arab region."