Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi (sixth right, top row) with the new graduates at a ceremony held yesterday at the headquarters of CCQ.
DOHA: The Community College of Qatar (CCQ) has celebrated the graduation of the 7th and 8th Cohorts of its “Early Childhood Assistant Teacher” certificate program, taking the total number of graduates to over 300 since the launch of the program in 2014.
Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi said that Ministry’s 2018-22 strategy is aimed at developing advanced curricula to meet the requirements of the 21st century in education sector while speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the graduation ceremony yesterday.
“The objective of strategy is also to qualify competent teachers providing a suitable learning environment in term of services, educational means and facilities in a bid to achieve the highest levels of excellence in the field of education especially those related to early childhood,” said the Minister.
The ceremony was attended by CCQ’s members of the Board of Trustees along with a number of faculty members, guests and dignitaries.
H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi congratulated the graduates, praising the role of CCQ in introducing advanced academic programs.The Minister highlighted the importance of the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher program, as it addresses the child’s needs in many aspects, which contributes to enhancing the capacity of assistant teachers to communicate with children and perform their duties to the fullest.
“Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in cooperation with CCQ, has successfully developed the certificate program by launching the two-year Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree program,” said the Minister.
CCQ President Dr. Mohamed Al Naemi said: “Since inception, the Community College of Qatar has forged close partnerships with national institutions, at the forefront of which comes the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, culminating in the development of the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher certificate program in November 2014. Since then, the program has achieved great success, with the total number of graduates reaching over 300 to date.”
Early Childhood Program Coordinator and Instructor Dr Merfat Fayez said: “The physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of children has a direct effect on the kind of adults and community members they grow up to become. Hence, early experiences are considered the first steps in the learning journey of the individual and hold the key to subsequent school and professional success.”
During the event, the College also honored 16 schools and kindergartens in recognition of their outstanding collaboration in the practical training part of the “Early Childhood Assistant Teacher” program.
In addition to its “Early Childhood Assistant Teacher” certificate program, CCQ recently started offering its students the Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree program.
The program’s curriculum discusses theories related to principles of child development, and equips educators with the technological means and methods to stimulate children’s learning, manage classroom behavior, and utilize healthy, safe and age-appropriate educational practices that support their growth and development.
