October 12, 2003 was a day unique in the annals of Cornell University. Not only was the new building for its branch campus, the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, (WCMC–Q) officially opened, but the first celebration in the inauguration of Jeffrey S. Lehman as the new president of the University took place there as well – the first time that such a ceremony had ever been held outside the United States.

From the moment that members of staff arrived at the new building early on the bright and sunny mid–October morning, thousands of miles from Ithaca and New York, there was a buzz of excitement and an air of expectation among all who were present at this third campus of the University.

The project to establish WCMC–Q is often described as groundbreaking, even visionary, and the opening ceremony and inauguration of President Lehman were planned to make optimal use of its innovative facilities. While the ceremonies unfolded in one of the ovoid lecture halls, guests seated in the remaining three auditoria were able to enjoy all the proceedings by following them simulcast on huge screens. Technology brought each and every detail into the halls simultaneously, a reminder that technology also is the means of bringing lectures and conferences via streaming video from Cornell University in the U.S. to the students at the Qatar campus.

Among the guests attending the ceremony were leading figures from Cornell University and its Weill Cornell Medical College in New York; the leadership of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, our partners in the venture to set up WCMC–Q; members of the Joint Advisory Board for WCMC–Q; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who helped initiate the partnership, following a visit to Qatar in 1999; Ministers of the government of Qatar; senior figures from the medical and educational professions in the region; diplomats, and prominent members of the community.

Also in the audience was Arata Isozaki, the renowned Japanese architect and leader of the team that designed the WCMC–Q building.

Upon arrival at the building, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned, wife of the Emir of Qatar and chairperson of the Qatar Foundation, was met by President Lehman and Sanford I. Weill, chairman of the Board of Overseers of WCMC–NY. They were joined by Peter C. Meinig, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University, Antonio M. Gotto Jr., Dean of WCMC–NY, and Daniel R. Alonso, Dean of WCMC–Q, along with leaders of the Qatar Foundation.

Sheikha Mozah proceeded to unveil a plaque commemorating the official opening of the building at the east entrance of the North Hall, before moving on to lecture hall two, accompanied by President Lehman and Mr. Weill.

Film gives the students’ view of WCMC–Q
With Dr. Alonso as master of ceremonies, the main program began with the showing of a film specially made for the occasion, in which WCMC–Q students gave their perspective on life at WCMC–Q, and beyond.

Seated informally on the steps of the student lounge, they were filmed as they discussed what it’s like to be a student at the WCMC–Q, the opportunities that opened up for young people in the region with the founding of the College, the importance that Islam attaches to educating both boys and girls, and why they chose medicine as a career, among other subjects. They paid tribute to Sheikha Mozah’s vision in founding Education City, of which WCMC–Q is a part, and drew a parallel between this far–reaching project in Qatar and the pioneering nature of Ezra Cornell’s achievement in setting up Cornell University in the U.S.

Speakers highlight the importance of WCMC–Q in the region
In her address, Sheikha Mozah spoke of the dedication and effort of all those at WCMC–Q during its first year of operation: “we have witnessed the creative and energetic efforts of faculty, administration and students as they cooperated to give credence to the well deserved reputation of Cornell as a leader in medical research and community development.”

Sheikha Mozah paid tribute to the work of Hunter R. Rawlings in establishing relations between Cornell and the Qatar Foundation, and congratulated Mr. Lehman on becoming president of the University. Welcoming the Medical College to Education City, she looked forward to its future contribution: “we anticipate that Cornell will continue to play a leading role in realizing the vision of Education City by applying sound research to community-related problems.”

Sanford I. Weill spoke of the importance of opening up educational opportunities for young people, and of the significance of education as a bridge between nations. Noting the outstanding quality of the technological infrastructure in the new building, he paid tribute to the efforts of all who had worked on the project, and congratulated the young people of the region “for whom this great venture has been undertaken.”

For his part, Dean Gotto began by looking back to October 2002, and the inauguration ceremony for the new program, which he described as “a defining moment in the history of our institutions, and of the relationship between our institutions.”

He reflected on both the ambitious scope of the project to found WCMC–Q, and the Ëextraordinary teamworkÓ that enabled the Medical College to take shape so rapidly. He commented that the first year had been Ëa tremendous success.Ó

Dean Gotto looked forward confidently to the future: “I have every confidence that our partnership will succeed and will lead to a generation of superb physicians, medical advances and better health care for the people of Qatar and this region. Health and education know no boundaries, know no politics, and form the basis for a lasting relationship which can benefit all the people of this region.”

The opening of the new building for Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar was completed by the formal cutting of a ribbon at the entrance to the North Hall by President Lehman and Sanford I. Weill.

Inauguration of President Lehman
The second part of the morning’s ceremonies comprised the initial celebration in the inauguration week of Jeffrey S. Lehman as president of Cornell University. The first time that such a ceremony had ever been held overseas, it was followed later in the week by the second ceremony at Weill Cornell in New York, culminating with his official installation at Ithaca on Friday, October 17.

In his introductory remarks, Peter C. Meinig, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University, paid tribute to the visionary nature of Education City in Qatar, and drew a comparison with the “revolutionary” principles that formed the foundation of Cornell University in the nineteenth century.

“It is therefore fitting that we begin the inaugural ceremonies for Cornell’s eleventh president, Jeffrey Sean Lehman, here in Qatar. There is no better way to remember and renew Cornell’s commitment to global outreach and to education as the necessary condition for peace, justice, prosperity and progress for all people,” he said.

Towards a transnational perspective
President Lehman took up the theme of international partnerships in education in a wide-ranging inaugural speech that touched on aspects of history, culture, philosophy, religion, and scientific and technological advance. He spoke of Cornell University’s innovative role in meeting the needs of a rapidly changing society when it was founded in the late nineteenth century. He also examined its long record in promoting international exchange both by welcoming overseas students to its campuses and by establishing programs that take Cornell’s presence to “every corner of our planet.”

“I believe that these activities have made a difference to the quality of life around the world. I know that they have made a difference to Cornell, bringing us exposure to cultural insights and perspectives from other nations that have enabled us to understand our world and our own lives in new ways.”

In examining the theme of developing a “transnational perspective on the human condition”, President Lehman cited the philosopher Martha Nussbaum, who has written of the importance of educating students to prepare them for world citizenship, with a perspective that transcends membership of national or group communities in favor of a shared identity as members of the human species.

He argued for an approach that is both open and engaged, rising above a narrow outlook, and staying true to Cornell University’s founding principles: “Open to new ideas, new ways of thinking, new ways of feeling. A transnational perspective must recognize the world’s radically varied texture without rushing to presume some variants superior and others inferior. A transnational perspective is different from a global perspective because it transcends nationalism without insisting on a unitary global substitute. It embodies the Quranic vision of universalism that reinforces and is reinforced by pluralism.”

President Lehman also recalled a recent appearance as guest speaker at a meeting of the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum in Detroit, where he spoke about the Weill Cornell campus in Qatar as “ a shining and hopeful example of the future of higher education worldwide.”

Following the inaugural address, President Lehman and the audience watched as Dean Alonso read out the roll call for the class of 2008 and the class of 2009, and the students descended the steps of the auditorium to present themselves to the assembled guests.

The program was rounded off by the Cornell Alma Mater, relayed over the sound system, and with an invitation from Dr. Alonso for all to join in. The ovoid auditorium rang with the sound of baritone and soprano voices: it was a uniquely moving experience for many, a touch of Ithaca in Doha.