Qatar
Mena Writing Centres meet in multiversity conference at Education City
February 19, 2023 | 12:10 AM
The Middle East-North Africa Writing Centre Alliance (MENAWCA) took place in Doha, at Education City, recently. More than 50 delegates participated at the biennial conference which opened with remarks by VCUarts Qatar’s dean, Amir Berbic. The three-day conference is a platform for teachers, tutors, peer tutors, centre directors and other professionals supporting student writers in the Mena region to share the innovative practices they have explored and report on their efficacy.Theme for this year’s conference was 'Writing Centres: Multidisciplinary and Multimodal Spaces for Engagement', and it covered topics such as 'Multimedia Resource and its Impact on Foundation Learners' Motivation', 'Developing Effective Online Strategies for Multilingual Learners', and 'Writing Centre Challenges: Supporting Students from Multiple Disciplines'.The MENAWCA Executive Board also recognised Asmae Nakib, Northwestern University in Qatar student, with the 'Outstanding Tutor Award'. Nakib is the first EC student recipient of this award, which recognises tutors who provide exemplary service to students, writing centres, and institutional communities.Keynote speaker Dr Paul Kei Matsuda of Arizona State University said, "Last few years have been tough for all of us, but I'm glad we are here together to exchange insights. I've enjoyed sharing my perspective with writing centre tutors and directors from the region—I hope my talk has inspired everyone to keep asking questions that can facilitate students’ writing and learning processes."Participant Zachary Shellenberger said, "My experience here has been nothing less than fabulous! The programme is incredibly varied while sticking to the theme of the conference and an incredibly timely topics within any field. If anything, I feel affirmed by the work I’ve done and comfortable by this extended family to which I belong.”The conference is a multiversity initiative, co-organised by Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, Georgetown University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, and Texas A&M University at Qatar.Sahar Mari, MENAWCA president, added: " MENAWCA has an important role in the region in connecting Writing Centre professionals, providing relevant resources, and advancing the field of Writing Studies in the Mena. The conference has been a wonderful opportunity to build community and learn from each other. These interactions mostly revolve around how we can better support students.”
February 19, 2023 | 12:10 AM