Date : 03 July 2014

The first 35 students to attend the Serco-operated Joaan Bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College (JBJJCSC), graduated from their one year post graduate defence course on Saturday 28 June in the presence of HH The Emir of the State of Qatar. 

Qatar's Minister of State for Defence Affairs, the Armed Forces' Chief of Staff, many senior military officers and over 400 newly trained national service troops were also in attendance. Each student marched onto the stage in the College's large auditorium to receive a graduation scroll from HH The Emir.

Speaking after the ceremony, Serco's Acting Director of Services, Mr Mark Tomany, said: "It has been an extraordinary year for everyone involved in this landmark contract.  We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Qatari Armed Forces and are very proud to have seen the first cohort graduate. Each student now understands the rigours of working at the operational level of warfare in a coalition headquarters on operations anywhere in the world.  They have come a long way and HH The Emir's presence reflects the importance of the course to the future of the Qatari Armed Forces."

Serco's three year £26M contract with the Qatari Armed Forces to provide Staff College training has seen JBJJCSC quickly become an established military college in Qatar.  The main course, delivered in partnership with Kings College London and the UK Ministry of Defence, is modelled on the highly successful UK Defence Academy equivalent course.  In addition to the main course, Serco runs a shorter foundation course to prepare Majors and Lieutenant Colonels from the three branches of the Armed Forces and the Emiri Guard for the demands of the main course.


For more information, please contact:
Charlie Mayo, Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07738 896562 and Email: Charlie.mayo1@serco.com

Notes to editors

1. Photo caption:  Lt Col Hetmi Al Hetmi, Emiri Guard, receiving his graduation certificate from HH The Emir, supported by (left to right) the Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Major-General Hamad bin Ali Al-Attiyah and the Commandant of the Joaan Bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College, Brigadier Nasser Al Sulaiti.

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