The Office of Graduate Studies at Qatar University (QU) recently held the 2017 Graduate Student Orientation Day for new students to familiarise them on the academic policies and procedures as well as the office’s services.
Around 250 graduate students attended the event. They got insight into the major policies that are crucial for new students such as class attendance, academic load, withdrawal, and probation or dismissal. They also had the opportunity to meet and interact with the staff members of the Office of Graduate Studies.
Attending the event were QU vice president for research and graduate studies Prof Mariam al-Maadeed, QU dean of Graduate Studies, Dr Ahmed El-Zatahry, QU assistant dean of graduate studies for student affairs, Ghada al-Kuwari, QU Office of Graduate Studies senior programme development and co-ordination specialist, Dr Mary El-Mereedi, and QU Research and Graduate Studies Office senior student affairs specialist (Registration), Amna al-Suliti, as well as associate deans of Graduate Studies at QU colleges.
Dr El-Zatahry said, “Your interest in QU research programmes will help in generating new concepts, innovations, collaborations and developments. It is an opportunity for you to become instrumental in identifying solutions for several national challenges, thus contributing to the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Al-Kuwari said, “Our graduate policies and procedures have been developed to ensure our programmes’ consistency as well as to simplify student life on campus by providing a clear means for addressing potential problems. All university policies are vitally important to student success and the Graduate Student Affairs has worked extensively to provide access to these policies in both Arabic and English.”
Elaborating on graduate academic support, Dr El-Mereedi said, “The Graduate Academic Support Unit (GASU) under the Office of Graduate Studies provides a variety of academic support services to graduate students, particularly relating to thesis and dissertation writing. These services include TAD writing groups, graduate writing workshops, and one-on-one tutoring sessions by appointment.”
She also noted that GASU organises a number of professional development sessions for graduate students and facilitates graduate faculty mentoring workshops designed to enhance the graduate student-mentor relationship.
Dr Ahmed El-Zatahry and Ghada al-Kuwari
