The College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has already introduced a new programme exercise science, a senior official has said.
“CHLS will continue to evaluate Qatar’s health and life science needs and design and develop the necessary academic and research-intensive programmes. Biopsychology, Neuroscience and Cognitive Neuroscience are programmes being considered, as they address Qatar’s National Mental Health Strategy,” Dr Edward Stuenkel, founding dean of CHLS, told Gulf Times.
Dr Stuenkel said that since its inception in 2018, CHLS has undergone exceptional growth in internationally recognised research-focused faculty, graduate student applications and recruitment, as well as in the diversity of its research programmes to promote transdisciplinary interactions that spur innovation.
“CHLS’ overall focus on precision health melds excellently with addressing not only advancing genomic issues of clinical health challenges but also in addressing biological issues of mental health and behaviour,” explained Dr Stuenkel.
The college has five programmes with a total of 113 current students — including 20 Qatari nationals — and 14 faculty members and two lab managers.
“CHLS currently offers five programmes, including innovative MS and PhD programmes in Biomedical and Biological Sciences, and in Genomics and Precision Medicine. Last year, CHLS launched a joint degree programme with University of South Carolina, an MS in Exercise Science, designed toward advancing fitness and forwarding preventative healthcare, in line with Qatar’s National Physical Activity Guidelines,” he continued.
According to the dean, CHLS graduates leave with multidisciplinary knowledge and experience in state-of-the-art basic, clinical and translational research that allow them to become leaders advancing precision health in Qatar.
“Alumni are also equipped with critical professional skills including excellence in oral and written communication, problem solving, analytical assessment and team-building. The combination of basic and clinical background knowledge, research experience and professional skills prepares CHLS alumni to contribute to a great variety of needs within the health sciences and health policy sector,” he pointed out.
The dean also highlighted that CHLS was founded to instil knowledge and excellence in research training to future health science leaders towards achieving success in precision health in Qatar.
“Graduates of CHLS are expected to employ the knowledge and experience gained to address present and future clinical health challenges, as well as to participate in developing societal policies that advance preventative healthcare to the benefit of all in Qatar,” he added.
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