The third Study Abroad Fair held at Qatar University (QU) recently provided current and outgoing students with information on graduate programmes at academic institutions overseas.

Countries exhibiting included Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

At the event organised by QU’s Scholarships and Partnerships Office, the students met university exhibitors and embassy representatives in Qatar.

QU faculty participated in the event for the first time to avail of the opportunity to learn about prospective collaboration with colleagues from universities abroad to advance QU and national research priorities.

Over 300 attendees visited the booths set up in Ibn Khaldoon Hall where representatives of the participating countries and institutions provided brochures and information material as well advice on the merits of studying overseas.

QU president Prof Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad was joined by guest of honour and University of Groningen president Prof Sibrandes Poppema to open the event.

Ambassadors Rossana Cecilia Surballe (Argentina), Pablo Kang (Australia), Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze (Georgia), Yvette Burghgraef-van Eechoud (Holland), Chung Kee Jong (South Korea), Suzan L Ziadeh (US) and the chargés d’affaires of Canada, France, and Germany were present.

Also attending were QU vice president for research Dr Hassan al-Derham, vice president and chief academic officer Dr Mazen Hasna, and college deans.

Prof al-Misnad recalled many students have benefited from the fair in the previous years. “This is the first year faculty are participating and I believe they too will emerge with useful information and options to further their academic careers and research objectives.”

Universities, language centres, exchange programmes and professional studies schools included University of Alberta, University of Western Australia, University of South Australia, University of Canberra, University of Groningen, Swinburne University of Technology, Bond University, Flinders University, Maastricht University, Osaka University, LaTrobe University, University of Santiago De Compostela, Netherlands Center for Higher Education and Research, British Council, Campus France, IMAGINE Education in Canada, German Academic Exchange Service, and Institut Français.

The day’s programme also featured a lecture by Prof Poppema on “Student Experiences and Studying Abroad.” He also conducted a workshop entitled “Quality Works” with QU top leadership on his experience at the helm of the University of Groningen and his contribution in raising it to the top 100 in world university ranking. Both universities also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support co-operation in student and faculty exchanges, and academic and research
collaboration.

College of Business & Economics graduate Noura al-Kaabi, who is considering pursuing an MA in Accounting either in Germany or UK, described the event as a great opportunity for students to know more about graduate studies in prestigious overseas universities.

Scholarships & Partnerships Office director Cesar Wazen said: “We are pleased to engage our students and faculty in this event which reflects the Office’s commitment to supporting academic success at home and abroad.”

Hundreds take part in QU’s Engineering Week

Hundreds of male and female students from secondary schools are participating in Qatar University’s Engineering Week 2014, launched on Wednesday by the College of Engineering (CENG).

Activities for female students are on Sunday and Monday whereas that for boys concluded yesterday.

The opening ceremony of the six-day event was attended by members of QU leadership, and representatives of the sponsors Dolphin Energy, Qapco, Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy), and Qafac.

Vice president and chief academic officer Dr Mazen Hasna welcomed the gathering. CENG dean Dr Rashid Alammari; Dolphin Energy deputy vice president (public relations) Ajlan al-Enazi and public relations assistant manager Jowaher al-Abdulla, Oxy president and general manager Stephen Kelly and deputy general manager Hassan al-Malki; and Qapco vice chairman and CEO Dr Mohamed Yousef al-Mulla, and senior development officer Abdulrahman Sultan Darwish were among the officials.

The CENG members included associate dean for research and graduate studies Prof Abdelmagid Hammuda, associate dean for development and industrial relations Dr Saud Ghani, and associate dean for academic affairs Prof Adel Gastli, faculty and students.

The objective is to raise awareness among secondary school students of CENG’s engineering majors, and to motivate them to pursue their studies at the college.  It is also an opportunity for the college to strengthen ties with its industrial partners, and to keep the wider community updated on its ongoing developments. 

All CENG departments will be represented in activities, which will include “Building an Electric Motor,” “Engineering Jeopardy Game,” “Robo Race,” “Who wants to be an Engineer,” and fun shows. There is also an exhibition by the departments and sponsoring companies.

The opening ceremony included an entertainment show and presentation by Robert Curbeam, a former astronaut who served on three space shuttle missions, making seven spacewalks. He is currently vice president at Raytheon Company.

Dr Alammari extended an invitation to all secondary schools in Qatar to participate in the Week’s activities.

Dolphin Energy’s Albuainain observed that providing an environment for the younger generation to develop practical and academic skills will help ensure the country has specialists across all fields of engineering in place for the future. 

Oxy’s Kelly said his organisation is committed to supporting education and capacity building through its Social Responsibility Programme. 

Qapco’s Dr al-Mulla said: “Together, through innovative initiatives, we ensure that the next generation of engineers is well equipped with the strategic skills to successfully and sustainably build the future of our industry.