AFG College with the University of Aberdeen has announced expansion plans offering significant learning opportunities to students in Qatar.
“We are looking to develop further programmes from different academic disciplines. Through our research and engagement with external stakeholders, we have identified a number of key areas for expansion and academic development, with a new master’s in International Commercial Law, as well as a graduate diploma in education,” Dr Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh al-Thani, chairperson of Al Faleh Group told Gulf Times.
AFG College of Aberdeen plans to celebrate Qatar National Sport Day 2019 in a big way. “As part of this year’s National Sport Day, we will for the second year, be hosting a fun run in Al Waab. Our partners in this event include NBK Holding and Al Waab City. We have more than 800 registered participants for the event and we are hoping that not only students, but other members of the community to participate,” said Sheikha Aisha.
The new campus of the university, to come up in the Al Daayen district, will house four schools of engineering, business, social sciences and medicine. “During my visit to Foresterhill medical campus of Aberdeen University, I had listened to a number of experts discussing pioneering medical research taking place there. This inspired me to consider the possibility of utilising the expertise that the university has to deliver our dream of opening a medical school and helping to develop greater research opportunities within the field of medicine,” explained Sheikha Aisha.
“The University of Aberdeen is renowned for its academic research and we are now keen to build on the expertise available to us and develop synergies with the research being undertaken in Scotland and here in Qatar. I believe that there is a huge potential for us here in Qatar to develop our budding researchers and academics in the hope of fulfilling His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s vision of a knowledge-based economy,” noted the official.
“I have always been an avid believer in the power and influence that education provides the individual. This was instilled in me by my father, Sheikh Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani, who from a young age encouraged me and my siblings to take advantage of the academic opportunities available to me and my siblings. This has led me to develop a lifelong passion for education,” she maintained.
For the International Women’s Day event on March 8, the university has invited an expert from Aberdeen University who will discuss the ground-breaking research that she and her team are undertaking in the treatment of diabetes. “Diabetes is a major medical concern here in Qatar. So I am excited as to how this can help all those affected by this illness,” pointed out Sheikha Aisha.
“Another area that has been highlighted, more so since the beginning of the illegal blockade, is food security. Aberdeen University has been conducting research into this area for a number of years and is considered to be an international leader in this area. Thus, any contribution that we can make to the great works being undertaken by our government, will help cement our role within the wider academic community here in Qatar,” added Sheikha Aisha.
Dr Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh al-Thani. Below: An illustration of the upcoming campus of AFG College of Aberdeen in Al Daayen district.
