A team of 25 students from university campuses across Education City are one step closer to becoming Qatar’s future leaders after returning from a trekking trip in the mountains of Oman.
The trek formed part of the experience-based leadership development programme, Ebda, which was launched in September 2014 by Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and Maersk Oil Qatar to develop Qatar’s future leaders.
Students camped for four days in the Jebel Akhdar mountain range in northwest Oman and took part in a variety of hands-on activities and challenges designed to test endurance and unlock personal potential. During the course, students participated in high-pressure simulations, needed to navigate mountainous terrain, and were responsible for making their own food and camp each day.
The trip, organised in partnership with Outward Bound Oman, and co-ordinated by the Student Life team of HBKU, forms part of Ebda – a leadership development programme that focuses on building leadership skills in students through experience-based learning.
Ebda, meaning start in Arabic, takes students out of the classroom environment and encourages them to gain personal skills through the experience of managing themselves, working with others and
learning to lead.
Mohamed El Debsa, a participating student from Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, said: “The journey to Oman totally exceeded my expectations and I feel an enormous sense of achievement.”
Mousa Abuhelaiqa, another participating student from Texas A&M University at Qatar, added: “This programme provided me with a unique learning experience.”
Commenting on the completion of the Oman challenge, Sheikh Jassim bin Saud al-Thani, head of Qatarisation at Maersk Oil Qatar, sponsors of Ebda, said: “At Maersk Oil Qatar, we constantly strive to develop Qatar’s future leaders and it’s wonderful to see another group of bright, talented students challenge themselves and engage in activities that promote personal
development.
“I urge more students to make the most of these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and look out for a range of exciting programmes coming up as part of Ebda’s second year.”
The 25 students who embarked on the Oman adventure were chosen from more than 100 applicants for demonstrating a commitment and interest in leadership development, along with a strong track record of overcoming challenges.
Ameena Hussain, director of Student Life at HBKU, one of the key partners in delivering the programme, said: “We offer our congratulations to all the students involved for successfully completing such a difficult challenge and for working together and showing such impressive determination and
perseverance.”
Ebda now concludes its successful first year, with more than 300 students completing modules delivered in Qatar, Tanzania, Indonesia and now Oman. Since Ebda’s launch in September 2014, students from 30 nationalities have taken part in nine modules, ranging from team-building challenges in Qatar to community service work in Indonesia and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Students from Education City during a trip to the mountains in Oman.
