Where in the World is Carnegie Mellon?

By: Carrie Chisholm

When you think about Carnegie Mellon, you might picture the distinctive tower of Hamerschlag Hall or the long green lawn of the Cut.

But you could also picture the Great Wall of China or the Parthenon in Greece or many other famous landmarks around the globe. Through pioneering initiatives worldwide, the university continues to spread far beyond its campus in Pittsburgh.

Paul Goodman, the Richard M. Cyert Professor of Organizational Psychology and director of the Institute for Strategic Development, believes that internationalization is imperative for Carnegie Mellon.

“The complex set of global economic, political, technological and social forces creates great opportunities for a unique university such as Carnegie Mellon to enhance its leadership in technology, the arts, research and innovations in learning,” says Goodman.

The university is responding to these opportunities by creating international programs and partnerships, all characterized by the university’s commitment to collaboration and interdisciplinary problem-solving and innovation.

These initiatives benefit not only the Carnegie Mellon community but also the Pittsburgh region. According to David Ruppersberger, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Collaborative, “Carnegie Mellon’s international ‘outposts’ provide a platform for economic development organizations to begin meaningful discussions with companies outside the Pittsburgh region.”

The initiatives highlighted here are just a few of Carnegie Mellon’s many international endeavors, which are as varied as the many countries and cultures they bridge.

Inauguration of first international campus

Inaugural celebrations were held on March 9 and 10, 2005, to honor the opening of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, the university’s first international campus offering undergraduate degrees in business and computer science following a curriculum program parallel to that in Pittsburgh.

Hosted by the Qatar Foundation, the celebrations included a leadership symposium on “The Future of I.T.” and “Managing in a Global Market,” featuring a panel of experts from Carnegie Mellon’s computer science and business schools, Qatari government officials and international business leaders.

The symposium was followed by an evening gala attended by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, chairperson of Qatar Foundation and a tireless promoter of progressive education in the region.

According to President Jared L. Cohon, “Carnegie Mellon shares with Qatar Foundation the firm belief that knowledge can bridge cultures and promote peace and prosperity.”

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