(1888PressRelease)
May 29, 2009 - Johannesburg, South Africa – Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker has praised the State of Qatar’s leadership in helping shape today’s youth to become leaders of tomorrow through strong education and building strong values.
Addressing graduates of the Qatar Leadership Academy (QLA), Al Baker said education was by far the single biggest asset in developing and guiding today’s youth.
“Leadership involves being disciplined, being focused and having drive and determination to succeed,” he said, reinforcing the guiding principles and vision of His Highness, The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.
“Teaching others of your experience helps build leaders of tomorrow. Passing on what you have learnt is by far the biggest personal honour of mine,” he added, speaking of his experiences of his education years.
“I adopted these philosophies well through my education years – many of which I spent away from home. Like you all, I have learnt the hard way in a college environment away from family and friends. But this taught me to be a tougher and stronger individual, standing head and shoulders above my peers and giving me the strength to be the person I am today.”
Delivering the keynote speech at the annual graduation ceremony, Al Baker’s words were not only poignant for the 12 graduating cadets but for youth on the whole as he went onto to say that graduates should demonstrate hard work, determination and dedication to their studies.
“That hard work over the years has paid off. You have all learned through rough and tough, through ups and downs…but these are all qualities today’s leaders need to survive in today’s challenging environment,” he said.
“Leadership means taking charge and being responsible for the people you lead; taking ownership and influencing others to understand you and your thoughts; and taking control and being in the driving seat.
“Leadership also means learning to be at the centre of attention – in good and bad times; representing the establishment on the national, regional and global stage; and having targets and vision.”
Added Al Baker: “And, most of all, striving to be the best to scale the heights to international success and being looked upon by your peers and to be able to strike long-lasting partnerships.
“Those of you graduating are entering a new path in life. By competing with oneself, you aim to be the best and strive to be better than what you were.
“By competing with others in your class, you set yourselves clear benchmarks to be ahead of the rest.”
Al Baker spoke of his leadership skills helping create a national airline with the strong vision and backing of The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.
“Qatar Airways has achieved the best of the best on the global stage and yet strives to win even more accolades. Our decision to continue growth stem from a strong management team dedicated to building the airline.”
Qatar Airways is the only 5-star rated Gulf airline, and from its hub in Doha, flies to over 80 destinations covering Africa, Europe, Middle East, Indian subcontinents, Far East and America. The carrier flies one of the youngest and most modern fleet of aircraft in the skies today and offers South Africans daily flights to Doha. Their commitment is to provide travellers with the highest quality of service both in the air and on the ground and this new service offering expands on their outstanding 5 star offering.
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