More than 40 primary school teachers from over 40 of Qatar’s independent schools have been selected to participate in the 2014 Qatar University ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, an innovative professional development programme, to enhance math and science teaching skills.

In its third year, the academy - which is a joint collaboration between the National Centre for Educator Development, Qatar University (QU) and ExxonMobil Qatar - will run from November 22 to 27 in Doha. 

As was the case with last year’s successful academy, QU and the Supreme Education Council have selected this year’s educators based on their qualifications and commitment to teaching. 

These teachers will take part in a week-long, intensive professional development programme designed to help fourth, fifth and sixth grade educators develop innovative math and science teaching skills, which will help them inspire their students to develop an interest in math and science.

They will engage in fun and meaningful activities in a classroom-style setting, conducted by education experts, to guide them on how to adopt a more creative and ultimately engaging pedagogy with active learners.

This year, five teachers from Teach for Qatar will join the academy, following a strategic partnership between ExxonMobil Qatar and Teach for Qatar, which was formalised in September.

“Our educators are committed to ensuring that they teach our children to the best of their ability, and the academy provides them with a great platform through which to enhance their skills to do so. I would like to thank our partners for bringing yet another chapter of this academy to our teachers in Qatar,” said Prof Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad, president of QU.

“We are extremely proud of our joint collaboration with Qatar University and the National Centre for Educator Development to bring forth what has proven to be an exceptional programme for teacher training in Qatar,” said Bart Cahir, president and general manager of ExxonMobil Qatar.

The Qatar University ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is part of a long-term commitment to education by ExxonMobil. As it continues to support initiatives that incite an active interest in science, technology, engineering and math education, the company is also committed to supporting the professional development of highly qualified teachers and promoting the involvement of women, according to a statement.

These initiatives support the objectives outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly regarding its human development pillar, which seeks to empower the people of Qatar so that they can sustain a prosperous society, the statement adds.

QU and ExxonMobil Qatar share a history of partnership across a variety of projects and programmes, including Life is Engineering, the Environmental Studies Centre, the Gas Processing Centre and ongoing guest lectures and recruiting activities.

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