Qatar University’s (QU) Foundation Programme (FP), under the Deanship of General Studies and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), held the nine-day-long Al-Qabas Virtual Programme 2021 recently for high school students.
A total of 250 female and male high school students participated in the programme, which concluded on March 29.
Under the theme 'For a Successful University Experience', the programme aimed to educate high school students from grades 10 and 11 about the study skills required to succeed in their university studies and improve their English and math skills to enhance their successful enrolment in STEM and health majors at Qatar University.
Dr Hezam al-Awa, director of the Foundation Programme, said: “The programme provides a variety of sessions that simulate classes at Qatar University to prepare high school students for their future studies and enhance their success in their university life. The Foundation Programme continuously aims to develop the Al-Qabas Programme to provide more opportunities that are educational for both male and female students interested in joining STEM and health fields of study to develop their life and academic skills and experience university learning firsthand.
"We are pleased to have male Qatari students from secondary schools who are interested in joining STEM attending Al-Qabas 2021. Students were actively engaged in the Al-Qabas Programme’s multiple sessions, which reflects their eagerness to successfully join university and to develop their academic skills in English and mathematics.”
Fawzeya al-Malki, academic and career counselling specialist from the Education Supervision Department at the MoEHE, welcomed the students and explained the importance of the Al-Qabas Programme in enhancing opportunities for high school students to be acquainted with STEM majors offered by Qatar University. She considers the Al-Qabas Programme important to raise awareness among students regarding admission requirements and the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their university studies after completing their high school studies.
She also emphasised the importance of Al-Qabas in enhancing students’ skills to prepare them for the future needs of the job market. At the end, she thanked QU and the FP for offering this important programme. She thanked academic advisers in schools for their support and efforts in encouraging students to register in the programme. Additionally, she encouraged students to build a solid foundation in math and English skills to enhance their success in their courses.
Dr Mohamed Ben Haj Rhouma, head of the Foundation Programme Department of Mathematics, explained that the goal of the Al-Qabas Programme is to encourage students to apply to STEM majors, and emphasised the importance of the English language and mathematics in succeeding in the STEM fields. He added that STEM disciplines "impact our everyday life in different areas such as fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, engineering and technology."
The Al-Qabas Virtual Programme consisted of 2-3 virtual sessions per day, which were delivered via Microsoft Teams over seven days. Sixteen FP faculty and staff members participated in organising and delivering the programme. Student participation increased by 80% from the previous Al-Qabas Programme delivered in 2020, QU said in a statement.
Al-Qabas Virtual Programme 2021 sessions included various interactive and engaging activities that develop math and English language skills. During sessions such as 'Study Skills for Math' and 'How to Apply Math in our Everyday Life', students applied problem-solving skills and learned about different learning strategies to enhance the development of their math skills.
Similarly, sessions targeting English skills, like 'Let’s Listen', provided an opportunity for students to learn about listening, reading and writing skills through different interactive programmes such as Quizlet, Kahoot and Joinmyquiz. In addition, students benefited from two test taking strategy sessions targeting skills required to successfully pass IELTS and math standardised tests, ACT and SAT.
During the 'Succeeding in University Studies' session, students learned about important academic skills such as time management and prioritization needed for a successful university experience.
Dr Walid Massoud, head of the Qatar University Testing Centre, talked about different international exams and placement tests required for successful enrolment in STEM colleges. The Career Development Centre also presented a session focusing on exploring hobbies and selecting future occupations. The centre shared information about communication channels for more details about the Qatari labour market. Both sessions included a Q&A segment to answer students’ queries.
Al-Qabas Virtual Programme 2021 presenters were able to create an engaging environment for the students as evident in the high number of student entries, comments and answers per session. Student survey showed high satisfaction rate among students regarding how much they benefited from the sessions and how Al-Qabas contributed to their knowledge about different skills development.
The FP at the Deanship of General Studies at Qatar University develops QU students’ English language proficiency and math skills to a level that will allow them to succeed in the academic programmes of the university. The Al-Qabas Programme is a community outreach initiative delivered by the FP whose goal is to provide students with strategies to develop their skills in math and English to positively impact their university experience. It also encourages students to join the scientific, engineering and medical majors at QU.
Finally, it contributes to the fulfilment of Qatar National Vision 2030 that encourages innovative initiatives that contribute to the growth and stability of the country.
Under the theme 'For a Successful University Experience', the programme aimed to educate high school students from grades 10 and 11 about the study skills required to succeed in their university studies and improve their English and math skills to enhance their successful enrolment in STEM and health majors at Qatar University.
Dr Hezam al-Awa, director of the Foundation Programme, said: “The programme provides a variety of sessions that simulate classes at Qatar University to prepare high school students for their future studies and enhance their success in their university life. The Foundation Programme continuously aims to develop the Al-Qabas Programme to provide more opportunities that are educational for both male and female students interested in joining STEM and health fields of study to develop their life and academic skills and experience university learning firsthand.
"We are pleased to have male Qatari students from secondary schools who are interested in joining STEM attending Al-Qabas 2021. Students were actively engaged in the Al-Qabas Programme’s multiple sessions, which reflects their eagerness to successfully join university and to develop their academic skills in English and mathematics.”
Fawzeya al-Malki, academic and career counselling specialist from the Education Supervision Department at the MoEHE, welcomed the students and explained the importance of the Al-Qabas Programme in enhancing opportunities for high school students to be acquainted with STEM majors offered by Qatar University. She considers the Al-Qabas Programme important to raise awareness among students regarding admission requirements and the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their university studies after completing their high school studies.
She also emphasised the importance of Al-Qabas in enhancing students’ skills to prepare them for the future needs of the job market. At the end, she thanked QU and the FP for offering this important programme. She thanked academic advisers in schools for their support and efforts in encouraging students to register in the programme. Additionally, she encouraged students to build a solid foundation in math and English skills to enhance their success in their courses.
Dr Mohamed Ben Haj Rhouma, head of the Foundation Programme Department of Mathematics, explained that the goal of the Al-Qabas Programme is to encourage students to apply to STEM majors, and emphasised the importance of the English language and mathematics in succeeding in the STEM fields. He added that STEM disciplines "impact our everyday life in different areas such as fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, engineering and technology."
The Al-Qabas Virtual Programme consisted of 2-3 virtual sessions per day, which were delivered via Microsoft Teams over seven days. Sixteen FP faculty and staff members participated in organising and delivering the programme. Student participation increased by 80% from the previous Al-Qabas Programme delivered in 2020, QU said in a statement.
Al-Qabas Virtual Programme 2021 sessions included various interactive and engaging activities that develop math and English language skills. During sessions such as 'Study Skills for Math' and 'How to Apply Math in our Everyday Life', students applied problem-solving skills and learned about different learning strategies to enhance the development of their math skills.
Similarly, sessions targeting English skills, like 'Let’s Listen', provided an opportunity for students to learn about listening, reading and writing skills through different interactive programmes such as Quizlet, Kahoot and Joinmyquiz. In addition, students benefited from two test taking strategy sessions targeting skills required to successfully pass IELTS and math standardised tests, ACT and SAT.
During the 'Succeeding in University Studies' session, students learned about important academic skills such as time management and prioritization needed for a successful university experience.
Dr Walid Massoud, head of the Qatar University Testing Centre, talked about different international exams and placement tests required for successful enrolment in STEM colleges. The Career Development Centre also presented a session focusing on exploring hobbies and selecting future occupations. The centre shared information about communication channels for more details about the Qatari labour market. Both sessions included a Q&A segment to answer students’ queries.
Al-Qabas Virtual Programme 2021 presenters were able to create an engaging environment for the students as evident in the high number of student entries, comments and answers per session. Student survey showed high satisfaction rate among students regarding how much they benefited from the sessions and how Al-Qabas contributed to their knowledge about different skills development.
The FP at the Deanship of General Studies at Qatar University develops QU students’ English language proficiency and math skills to a level that will allow them to succeed in the academic programmes of the university. The Al-Qabas Programme is a community outreach initiative delivered by the FP whose goal is to provide students with strategies to develop their skills in math and English to positively impact their university experience. It also encourages students to join the scientific, engineering and medical majors at QU.
Finally, it contributes to the fulfilment of Qatar National Vision 2030 that encourages innovative initiatives that contribute to the growth and stability of the country.