Guests and faculty of Calgary University Qatar, with graduates during graduation and Convocation 2019 ceremony held at the QNCC in Doha yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Doha: Academic achievements of Qatar’s nurses were celebrated at the University of Calgary in Qatar’s (UCQ) annual graduation ceremony held yesterday.
Ninety five of Qatar’s current and future nurses graduated with UCQ’s Bachelor of Nursing (BN) and Master of Nursing (MN) degrees. The Class of 2019 includes 11 Qatari and 77 non-Qatari females along with seven non-Qatari males.
The graduation ceremony, held at Qatar National Convention Centre, was attended by UCQ Board of Trustees Chair, Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani; Canadian Ambassador to Qatar Stefanie McCollum; Chancellor of the University of Calgary, Deborah Yedlin; and President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calgary. Dr Edward McCauley.
The ceremony marks an important step as UCQ contributes to strengthening a sustainable workforce that supports the complex healthcare needs of the country. This year’s ceremony also marks the 10th anniversary of UCQ’s BN programme and fifth anniversary of its MN programme. “The need for highly educated and skilled nurses is increasing every year. You are entering the nursing profession at a very important time for our nation. The knowledge and skills you have obtained will now be put into practice,” said Dr Al Thani, who addressed the graduates as the guest speaker.
With the completion of the 2019 Convocation ceremony, a total of 651 students have earned their BN degrees from the UCQ. While 56 have graduated from the MN programme. Qatari nationals currently make up approximately 16 percent of the University’s alumni network. Raising the level of local nursing talent via its dedicated academic programmes, the University of Calgary in Qatar is advancing the overall performance and transformation of the healthcare system.
“Our graduates are very academic and skilled. This is a time the country’s healthcare system is looking for a difference. We look forward to our graduates making the difference by contributing and making an impact,” said Dr Deborah White, Dean & CEO at UCQ, while speaking to the media.
She also said that UCQ will introduce a new curriculum in the Fall of 2020 and 2021.
“We are reviewing the curriculum and will introduce a brand new one to meet the challenges and healthcare needs of the country,” said Dr White.
Established in 2007, UCQ is the country’s only Canadian university and exclusive provider of nursing higher education. Accredited in Canada and adapted to the local culture, the University’s curriculum provides its nursing students with the knowledge and expertise that allows them to become fully-integrated leaders in Qatar’s healthcare sector.
Many find UCQ as an opportunity to continue their professional education as nurses.
