Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) is offering non-credit evening community classes for the first time at its campus on a wide range of topics in English and Arabic.
The classes run in the evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 once a week from March 15 through April 30 on topics such as comparative religious perspectives, contemporary issues in Gulf studies, Arab politics, innovations in digital learning, using online learning, how to appreciate Arabic poetry, great philosophers and contemporary world events, Islam and contemporary issue, the history of the Middle East and sports education.
The initiative provides Qataris and residents of Qatar an opportunity to make learning a part of their busy lives. GU-Q hopes to provide the knowledge and resources for working professionals and members of the wider community to meet their educational goals.
Dr Amira Sonbol, professor of history and chairperson of the Georgetown Faculty Council for developing the community class curriculum, said: “There are many people in Qatar who missed out on a degree who would love to pursue an education – mid-level professionals, women who never went to college in order to raise a family, those who entered the workforce instead of college, as well as members of the expat community who would love to advance their education.”
Dr Khalid W Bibi, associate dean at Georgetown University, said: “Qatar has made tremendous investments in the sports sector, and in the process, created many opportunities for employment and growth that will endure well into the future. My class will teach how this sector is shaping Qatar’s future and how to contextualise these newly emerging professions in a manner that meets the nation’s religious and cultural priorities as well as its strategic goals.”
“One of the many tasks of a university is to reach out to the community of which it is a part and, where possible, offer classes that help its members rise to the challenges they face--as citizens, as employers and employees, as family members, and as individuals,” said GU-Q professor of political theory, Dr. Joshua Mitchell, who will be teaching a community education course titled “Great Philosophers and Contemporary World Events.”
