Sohair Wastawy

Dr. Wastawy was appointed as the Executive Director of Qatar National Library in October 2016. Before arriving to Qatar, Dr. Wastawy was the Dean of Libraries at Florida Institute of Technology in Florida, USA. She also served as the Dean of the University Libraries at Illinois State University. From 2004 to 2010, Dr. Wastawy provided leadership for a full range of library and cultural activities as the first chief librarian of the new Library of Alexandria in Egypt where she was instrumental in founding and building the programs the Library of Alexandria offers today. From 1992 to 2004 Dr. Wastawy was the Dean of Libraries at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and was affiliated with IIT since 1988 where she was as a researcher and library director for the Center of the Study of Professional Ethics until 1992. Prior to her work with IIT, Dr. Wastawy worked as a lecturer in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, respectively. Dr. Wastawy serves as member of professional associations boards and is the recipient of many awards and honors including a Fulbright scholarship. She is also an international consultant for library buildings and management.