Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is engaged in the fields of formal and informal
education. She is Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Doha Film Institute, Reach Out to Asia, and
Qatar Leadership Centre. In having the privilege to serve her country in multiple fields – among
them culture, leadership, education, and philanthropy – she has been able to facilitate
conversations across borders and fields. As a public servant, her objective is to invest in Qatar’s
local community and celebrate the country’s diversity using the visual arts as a vehicle for
communication. Her current interests are in human development, cultural regionalism,
environmental stewardship and sustainability, and economic growth using culture as a catalyst
for education, dialogue, and exchange. Through her public work and support of the Qatar Vision
2030, she is building an exciting creative future for the country that will connect artistic
communities in all areas of culture.
Qatar Museums
Through her work as Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Sheikha Al Mayassa connects and amplifies
the nation's growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and
programmes. Qatar Museums provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences, spearheads
innovative research and environmental education through exhibitions and programing, and
preserves and expands the nation’s cultural offerings, sharing art and culture from the Middle
East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of
citizens, residents, and visitors. QM also initiates and supports projects that nurture artistic talent
and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Doha Film Institute
Sheikha Al Mayassa founded the Doha Film Institute (DFI) with the aim of building a dynamic film
industry in Qatar and nurturing regional storytellers. DFI is dedicated to film appreciation,
financing, and education. Recognizing the importance of film as a form of creative expression and
community solidarity, Sheikha Al Mayassa has conceived of the Doha Film Institute as an all-
encompassing hub for the art of cinema. DFI hosts the annual Ajyal Film Festival in Katara Cultural
Village, the mentorship program Qumra, and workshops for both professionals and amateurs,
while serving as a resource that is global in scope.
Qatar Leadership Centre
H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa is Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Qatar Leadership Centre
(QLC). Established in 2010 by Amiri Decree as a national platform for leadership excellence, its
mandate is to advance the achievement of development goals by providing customized executive
education to Qatari professionals from a range of public institutions and private sector enterprises
across Qatar. More than 700 alumni have completed QLC’s National Leadership Program,
conducted in partnership with leading universities. Its Institutional Programs have provided
specialized managerial training for major governmental organizations since 2014. An executive
master’s degree in leadership completes the offerings.
Reach Out to Asia
In addition to her domestic focus, Sheikha Al Mayassa works to provide quality education to those
in need farther afield. She serves as the chairperson of Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), which envisions
a world where all young people have access to the resources they require to realize their potential.
With its partners, ROTA works to ensure that people affected by crisis across Asia have continuous
access to high-quality primary and secondary education.
Among her other leadership roles, Sheikha Al Mayassa is Co-Chairperson of the Joint Advisory
Board of Georgetown University Qatar, Co-Chairperson of Fashion Trust Arabia, Vice-Chairperson
of Education Above All, and a Member of the Qatar Foundation Board of Trustees. She is also a
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Rhode Island School of Design; a Founding Member of
the Environmental Council of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; a Member of the
Collections Council of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; and a Member of the Board of
Advisors of Common Sense Media.
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