H E Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada (right), Chairman of the University of Doha for Science and Technology Board of Trustees and Former Minister of Energy and Industry, and Dr. Salem Al Naemi, UDST President during a press conference to announce the launch of the university yesterday.
The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) was formally launched yesterday. The new institution replaces the now-former College of the North Atlantic - Qatar (CNA-Q) after an Amiri decision. UDST has become the first national applied University in Qatar; it is also the second national University in the country.
During a press conference to announce the establishment, H E Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, Chairman of the University of Doha for Science and Technology Board of Trustees and former Minister of Energy and Industry, and Dr. Salem Al Naemi, UDST President, stressed the significance of having a university with this specification as it streamlines Qatar’s economic sustainability drive.
“The University will adhere to its winning proposition, which is being an applied university. Graduates will be ready to go into their different sectors because they get adequate skills. It will consolidate a winning proposition because we all believe this is needed to support Qatar National Vision 2030 for sustainable development in economic, social, and environmental aspects. This is what is needed not only for the workforce to be staff of different entities in Qatar, but it also prepares them to tackle the private sector and as entrepreneurs.”
Dr. Al Sada also noted that the University’s programme has been fine-tuned to meet the present and future needs across several sectors in Qatar.
“We look at Qatar’s need today, and we adjust our programmes to that effect. Also, we look at the future, and we prepare ourselves and staff for the future.
This University adheres to the highest standards of applied education and training. Not only that, but we also tailor-made our programmes to the needs of Qatar industry, financial sector, health and more,” he added.
The University offers more than 50 Applied Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree programmes in addition to diplomas that fall under Engineering Technology and Industrial Trades, Business Management, Computing and Information Technology, and Health Sciences. Also, Bachelor of Applied Business Administration in Banking and Financial Technology, Bachelor of Applied Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Bachelor of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Radiography are new in Qatar.
On the other hand, Dr. Al Naemi said the institution now has a record 5,300 students and boasts a unique academic portfolio.
“We plan to build on where we are today, and our programmes are world-class and required within the market. We have almost 5,300 students. This is a record for us, and we are delighted to grow this number. We welcome the students, either alumni or new students, to come and join the University because the majors that we have are unique,” Dr. Al Naemi said.
The UDST president also disclosed that the University had started its academic transition over a year ago. The educational framework now aligns with the national curriculum.
“We changed all our academic plans to follow our national plan, and at the same time, they are internationally accredited. We already started over a year ago to transform our academic framework. However, regardless of what framework we do, all-out programmes are internationally recognized, and we are going to continue getting more accreditation,” he added.
Commenting on the partnership with the College of the North Atlantic in Canada, Dr. Al Naemi said, “We are proud of our partnership, and they have played a role previously in our growth. However, we will continue this relationship in a different format and fulfil different needs.”
The state-of-the-art institution has 20 years of applied education experience as a College with world-renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. UDST will also continue to offer 2-year and 3-year diplomas in addition to the new programmes.
