Dr Akel I. Kahera. Dean, VCUQatar.
The diverse range of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) alumni have made an significant impact in the local design industry. Alumni are pursuing successful careers within all sectors in Qatar and around the world as well as many have gone on to establish their own businesses, said Dr Akel I. Kahera. Dean, VCUQatar.
The campus approaching its 20th year in Qatar has around 600 alumni representing 33 nationalities, who are employed at a wide range of companies.
“If you look around Doha they (alumni) are almost in every sector. In every business you will find one of our graduates. Qatar National Bank, Lusail City Project, Qatar Airways, Qatar Museums are a few to name and the list goes on and on. We have found a way to penetrate the VCUQatar name and the brand in all sectors."
"The contribution we bring to the field of design and has made an impact in Qatar and beyond,” Dr Akel told The Peninsula.
VCUQatar offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in fashion, graphic, interior design and painting and printmaking and seven Master of Fine Arts degrees in design.
Speaking about plans on expanding and introducing new programs at VCUQatar, Dr Akel said, “Yes, new programs are always in discussion. We are looking for ways to not just have programs that are attracted but looking for programs that have lasting effect and how the knowledge can be implemented into practice. For example we are thinking of fashion merchandising, product design and others that nature.”
At present VCUQatar has 363 students and they represent a diverse range of nationalities with students coming from more than 40 different countries. Among them 95 percent are female, 61 percent Qatari, 40 students have cross registered at different campuses within the Education City. It has a student faculty ratio of 1:5.
Also VCUQatar is the only campus within Education City to have two female Qatari faculty, and them being VCU graduates makes it unique. “We have 95 percent female students and we do have 33 male students. If you look around the graduating class more than 50 percent of them achieve higher honours……“We live in a world where we need to have diversity, infusion and equity. We are trying to cultivate a place where students feel safe to study and work. They are fully fledged individuals we are trying to empower them to make a difference in the world,” said Dr Akel.
Since its opening VCUQatar has majority of female students and Dr Akel says that the trend is due to more girls choose to study art and design than their male counterparts.
VCUQatar is the Qatar campus of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. It was established in 1998 through a partnership with Qatar Foundation.
