Qatar University (QU)’s Foundation Programme (FP), under the Deanship of General Studies and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), held the Al-Qabas Programme 2022 from March 20-30 under the theme 'For a Successful University Experience'.
The two-week programme, held for the fourth year for high school students, saw some 330 female and male students participating.
The programme educates high school students from grades 10 and 11 on university life and skills required to succeed in their university studies and improve their English and math to enhance their successful enrollment in STEM and health majors at Qatar University. It also aims to educate students on the different majors offered by STEM and health colleges.
Students were welcomed during the Haykom online session to launch the Al-Qabas Virtual Programme.
Ahmed Albalam, head of the Career and Academic Guidance Section at the MoEHE, welcomed the students and academic advisers and informed students about the Al-Qabas Programme’s goals.
He also emphasised the importance of standardised tests like IELTS and SAT for universities within and outside Qatar as these are among the entry requirements.
Dr Hezam al-Awah, director of the Foundation Programme, said: "FP faculty and academics in the Foundation Programme utilise the latest pedagogical practices and educational trends to create an engaging and academic programme to raise awareness on different math and English skills required to succeed in STEM and health fields."
The Al-Qabas Virtual Programme consisting of two virtual sessions per day, were delivered via Microsoft Teams over a five days.
Sixteen FP faculty and staff members participated in organising and delivering the programme.
Some 185 students attended the sessions and the total number of views reached 400. The Al-Qabas Virtual Programme sessions included various interactive and engaging activities that develop math and English language skills, such as 'Math for Future Scientists' and 'Let’s Listen'.
The importance of math and English skills in STEM fields were demonstrated in 'Think Like an Engineer' and 'Design a Helpful Mobile App'.
The Al-Qabas session also introduced students to entrepreneurial skills through the 'Young Entrepreneurs' session.'
In addition, students benefited from two test-taking strategy sessions highlighting the skills required to successfully clear IELTS and math standardised tests, ACT and SAT.
To enhance successful enrollment in university, the QU Enrollment Outreach and Engagement Department presented a session on admission requirements, dates and policies for QU and various QU colleges.
Dr Walid Massoud, head of Qatar University Testing Centre, spoke on different international exams and placement tests required for successful enrollment into STEM colleges.
Representatives from the department of mathematics, statistics and physics from the College of Arts and Science provided information on the different majors offered and the importance of theses in the Qatari labour market. All sessions included a Q&A segment.
Following the online sessions, 18 schools participated in QU campus visits wherein 145 male and female students visited labs and facilities at the colleges of engineering and pharmacy. The schools included Omar Bin Al-Khattab, Omar Bin Abdul Aziz, Qatar Technical, Hamad Bin Abdullah Bin Jassim, Al-Wakrah, Ahmed Bin Mohammed, Qatar Secondary, Rouda Bint Mohamed, Asseliya, Al-Kawthar and Al- Shaymaa.
Students participated in activities that simulated the work environment. For example, they observed how to manufacture a medicine pill.
Representatives from different departments at the College of Engineering informed students about the different majors and gave them an opportunity for hands-on activities such as building a hanging bridge.
A representative from Omar Bin Al-Khattab High School said, "We would like to thank Qatar University for providing the opportunity to our students to visit the College of Pharmacy and learn about the different majors offered. Also, the sessions about career development, QU entry requirements and international tests helped enhance student confidence to achieve success in their upcoming student life.”
Student feedback from an anonymous survey included positive comments about the programme.
The programme educates high school students from grades 10 and 11 on university life and skills required to succeed in their university studies and improve their English and math to enhance their successful enrollment in STEM and health majors at Qatar University. It also aims to educate students on the different majors offered by STEM and health colleges.
Students were welcomed during the Haykom online session to launch the Al-Qabas Virtual Programme.
Ahmed Albalam, head of the Career and Academic Guidance Section at the MoEHE, welcomed the students and academic advisers and informed students about the Al-Qabas Programme’s goals.
He also emphasised the importance of standardised tests like IELTS and SAT for universities within and outside Qatar as these are among the entry requirements.
Dr Hezam al-Awah, director of the Foundation Programme, said: "FP faculty and academics in the Foundation Programme utilise the latest pedagogical practices and educational trends to create an engaging and academic programme to raise awareness on different math and English skills required to succeed in STEM and health fields."
The Al-Qabas Virtual Programme consisting of two virtual sessions per day, were delivered via Microsoft Teams over a five days.
Sixteen FP faculty and staff members participated in organising and delivering the programme.
Some 185 students attended the sessions and the total number of views reached 400. The Al-Qabas Virtual Programme sessions included various interactive and engaging activities that develop math and English language skills, such as 'Math for Future Scientists' and 'Let’s Listen'.
The importance of math and English skills in STEM fields were demonstrated in 'Think Like an Engineer' and 'Design a Helpful Mobile App'.
The Al-Qabas session also introduced students to entrepreneurial skills through the 'Young Entrepreneurs' session.'
In addition, students benefited from two test-taking strategy sessions highlighting the skills required to successfully clear IELTS and math standardised tests, ACT and SAT.
To enhance successful enrollment in university, the QU Enrollment Outreach and Engagement Department presented a session on admission requirements, dates and policies for QU and various QU colleges.
Dr Walid Massoud, head of Qatar University Testing Centre, spoke on different international exams and placement tests required for successful enrollment into STEM colleges.
Representatives from the department of mathematics, statistics and physics from the College of Arts and Science provided information on the different majors offered and the importance of theses in the Qatari labour market. All sessions included a Q&A segment.
Following the online sessions, 18 schools participated in QU campus visits wherein 145 male and female students visited labs and facilities at the colleges of engineering and pharmacy. The schools included Omar Bin Al-Khattab, Omar Bin Abdul Aziz, Qatar Technical, Hamad Bin Abdullah Bin Jassim, Al-Wakrah, Ahmed Bin Mohammed, Qatar Secondary, Rouda Bint Mohamed, Asseliya, Al-Kawthar and Al- Shaymaa.
Students participated in activities that simulated the work environment. For example, they observed how to manufacture a medicine pill.
Representatives from different departments at the College of Engineering informed students about the different majors and gave them an opportunity for hands-on activities such as building a hanging bridge.
A representative from Omar Bin Al-Khattab High School said, "We would like to thank Qatar University for providing the opportunity to our students to visit the College of Pharmacy and learn about the different majors offered. Also, the sessions about career development, QU entry requirements and international tests helped enhance student confidence to achieve success in their upcoming student life.”
Student feedback from an anonymous survey included positive comments about the programme.