The role played by the Biomedical Sciences programme of Qatar University (QU)’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) in transforming Qatar was highlighted during an event held to mark the 30th anniversary of the programme yesterday.
Senior biomedical sciences student Noor al-Hairi opened the event, followed by QU president Prof Sheikha al-Misnad. The ceremony celebrated three decades of excellence by faculty members and students within the department at CAS.
The undergraduate programme is the first outside the USA to fulfil all the standards required by the US-based National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). During the event, it was awarded an accreditation renewal by the agency for seven years, the maximum allowable accreditation period.
The Biomedical Sciences programme was initiated in 1980 following discussions between the university and the then Ministry of Public Health to collaborate in clinical laboratory sciences. With inputs from the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and other external organisations, the university established a BSc degree in Biomedical Sciences. It is now one of the leading programmes of its kind in the region and plays a key role in the country’s development, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. The programme operates closely with the HMC and plays a key role in Qatar’s Academic Health System.
Addressing the gathering, Prof al-Misnad said: “In the 30 years of the Biomedical Sciences programme, hundreds of young people have graduated, equipped with the skills, knowledge and drive to make significant advances in science, academia and health in Qatar.”
CAS dean Dr Eiman Mustafawi said: “The BSc Biomedical Science programme has become one of the most rigorous programmes at QU, whose graduates are some of our best ambassadors employed by clinics and medical institutions in Qatar and around the world.”
Dr Hanan al-Kuwari of the HMC said: “The programme is a foundation of the HMC’s strength and our educational-health partnership with QU is a most important and effective one. I am sure that our partnership will continue to have a long-term impact in the coming years.”  
NAACLS president Dr Jerry Phipps presented the accreditation certificate to Prof al-Misnad and Dr Mustafawi. The event was concluded by head of the department of Health Sciences, Dr Asma al-Thani, who said: “When you look back to where this programme had been, where it is now and how it is positioned for future growth, it should be clear that after 30 years of success and achievement…we’re just getting started.”
Two senior students (Omayma al-Saei and Maide Baris) received the prestigious American Society of Clinical Pathology Student Honor Award 2013 in recognition of students in the laboratory profession who demonstrated academic excellence and leadership and a commitment to community service.
QU Biomedical Science students are the first outside the USA to be certified as Medical Technologists.
In 2011, 20 laboratory staff from the joint Biomedical Science Programme of QU and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at HMC became the first outside the USA to achieve ASCP Board Certification.