Qatar has the potential to become a world leader in advanced healthcare services, a top official of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) told Gulf Times.
“This is possible, thanks to the academic programmes that equip students with the skills, knowledge and capabilities to develop and employ the latest advances in research,” stated Prof Edward L Stuenkel, dean of College of Health and Life Sciences, (CHLS), HBKU.
The future experts in advanced fields of healthcare are needed to ensure the health of the population in Qatar, he said. 
“CHLS’ programmes equip students with the knowledge and know-how to explore innovative solutions that advance personalised healthcare. Our students will go on to become confident experts who are able to combat modern health threats and potential future challenges,” noted the dean.


Prof Edward L Stuenkel

Prof Stuenkel said that HBKU is actively nurturing the capabilities of the next generation researchers in Qatar who will one day play an integral role in innovative research approaches and solutions.
“CHLS meets professional educational needs in the fields of Biomedical and Life Sciences in Qatar and the region. The programmes on offer at CHLS are transversal, providing scientific education and research skills in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Genomics, Bioinformatics and others. These skills are of fundamental importance to basic and applied research in clinical, academic, industrial or other fields within Qatar and in international labour market,” explained the dean.
“HBKU’s innovative new programmes will provide excellently trained human capital to bolster the significant efforts being made through the Qatar Genome Project, Qatar Biobank and medical partners towards developing efficient, personalised medicine and patient-focused healthcare solutions for Qatar, and beyond,” he continued.
CHLS offers two master’s and two PhD programmes, designed to respond to the needs of the healthcare sector in Qatar and the region. The college offers both a Master of Science and PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences. 
According to Prof Stuenkel, the Master of Science and the PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences programmes focus on developing scientific skills that intersect applied biological and biomedical sciences. 
“These skills equip students with the technical expertise to carry out clinical, academic and industrial research. The Master of Science and PhD in Genomics and Precision Medicine programmes, expose students to the latest developments and innovations in the field of genomics and precision medicine, giving them the opportunity to explore the highly advanced clinical, technological, computational, legal, and ethical aspects of this complex and rapidly expanding sector of life sciences,” he pointed out.
“These graduate programmes provide students with the knowledge and skills to think creatively, develop scientific research and hone their technical expertise, to contribute to new knowledge on molecular mechanisms of disease. These programmes are directed at the main health challenges in Qatar and the region. Our graduate programmes in the biological and biomedical sciences train and prepare the next generation of scientists to assume leadership positions in the biomedical research in Qatar,” the dean described.
“Meanwhile, our Master of Science and PhD degrees in Genomics and Precision Medicine are designed to prepare the next generation of professionals and leaders to incorporate precision and personalised medicine into the healthcare system,’ added, Prof Stuenkel. 
CHLS admits about 40 students yearly for all the four programmes and scholarships are offered, on a competitive basis, to the top admitted applicants. Admission process for the upcoming semester will be completed this week.
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