By Fazeena Saleem
It has been more than 20 years since its inception, and as Qatar Foundation continues on its journey to unlock human potential, its annual convocation will see the highest number of candidates for graduation today .
The ambitions of QF graduates are not limited to crossing through the ‘Door To The Future’. it exceeds such limits and includes embarking on a prosperous journey, based on a lifelong learning, in order to attain their goals and become the future pioneers of Qatar.
There are 649 students from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), QF partner universities and graduate colleges in a range of diversified subjects, including computer science, design, Islamic studies, engineering, international relations and medicine, and will walk with bachelor and postgraduate degrees.
QF provides a generous and a varied range of higher education opportunities — including the unique Academic Bridge Program that acts as an intermediary level between high school and university.
As a higher education option, students can opt for the home-grown institute, HBKU, which offers a range of postgraduate qualifications, and aims to produce scholars who are grounded in Islamic faith, finance and civilisation.
QF has eight partner universities inside Education City, including Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, HEC Paris in Qatar and University College London Qatar.
Alongside these excellent education choices, QF is also committedto becoming a leading centre for research and development.
In 20 years, almost 3,000 students have graduated from the different universities at QF. With more than 45 different nationalities represented, QF students are part of a unique learning environment which encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas and expertise. The number of graduates in 2015 signified an increase of almost 450 percent compared to the first joint convocation of QF’s partner universities in 2008, and an increase of 22 percent in comparison with 2014.
Students at QF get a greater encouragement to think independently and drive their own learning, opportunities to take part in programmes of education that may allow them entry to some of the highest ranking universities around the world, ability to become more culturally aware through the development of a second language and diverse learning environment which engages people in an increasingly globalised and rapidly changing world.
QF was established in 1995 by H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir, and H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. They shared the visionary idea that the future of Qatar lies in unlocking the most precious natural resource of all: Human potential.
QF is unlocking the human potential of the people of Qatar through a range of groundbreaking initiatives in Education, Science and Research, and Community Development, equipping the country and its citizens with the knowledge and tools needed to develop their nation. In doing so, QF is building a platform for innovation and fostering a culture of quality and excellence that can benefit the region and wider world.
QF is bringing world-class education, work experience, and career opportunities to Qatar so that young people can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge-based economy. QF encourages the professional and personal development of all of its students, taking them through the educational cycle from pre-school to university and beyond.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) – Established in 2013
HBKU has a unique interdisciplinary research and education model, seeking to provide opportunities for scholarship, teaching, discovery, and learning for all of its students. 122 graduated in 2015 and the number of Qatari students graduating has increased by 48 percent this year
Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar (VCUQ) – Established in 1998
The University has over 518 alumni and 68 graduated in 2015. Students at VCU-Q represent 42 different nationalities.
Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar (WCM-Q) – Established in 2001
WCM-Q offers two programmes. A two-year pre-medical programme and a four-year medical programme (MD). In 2015 43 students graduated and nine percent of them were Qataris.
Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) – Established in 2003
TAMUQ offers Bachelor of Science degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering. It also offers two graduate degrees in chemical engineering aswell as a Master of Science (MSc) and a Master of Engineering (MEng). A total of 101 graduated in 2015 and it was 105 in 2014.
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) – Established in 2004
CMU-Q offers undergraduate programmes in biological sciences, business administration, computational biology, computer science, and information systems. In 2015 106 students graduated and 40 percent of them were Qataris.
More than 90 percent of CMU-Q’s alumni are employed in top organisations like Google, HSBC, Microsoft, Qatar Petroleum, Shell, and Vodafone.
Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (GUQ) – Established in 2005
GUQ offers a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) with the ability to major in one of three fields: International Politics, Culture and Politics, and International Economics. GUQ students represent approximately 44 nationalities. A total of 47 students graduated from GUQ in 2014, 60 percent of which were female. While 57 graduated in 2015.
Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) – Established in 2008
NU-Q offers a Bachelor of Science in Journalism or a Bachelor of Science in Communication. NU-Q also offers students the opportunity to complete a certificate in Middle East studies and a minor in Media and Politics. 30 students graduated from NUQ in 2014 and the it was 38 in 2015.
HEC Paris Qatar (HEC-PQ) – Established in 2010
HEC-PQ offers an Executive MBA which is a programme aimed at developing the understanding of the social, economic, and environmental aspects of international business. The university also offers a Master’s Degree in Strategic Business Unit Management. In 2014 students graduated from HEC Paris Qatar 84 students and 62 percent of them were Qataris. It increased to 94 in 2105 with 74 percent Qataris graduating.
University College London Qatar (UCL-Q)– Established in 2012
UCL-Q offers an MA in Archaeology of the Arab and Islamic World, an MSc in Conservation Studies, an MA in Library and Information Studies, as well as an MA in Museum and Gallery Practice.
A group of 43 students graduated in 2015 in the fields of Museum Studies and Archaeology, much needed to preserve Qatar’s heritage and maintain its world-class museums.
The Peninsula
