Doha: Since its launch in 2014, Qatar University College of Medicine (CMED) has advanced knowledge in the medical field, addressing local and regional challenges and contributing to population health. Last year, the College graduated its first batch of students after admitting its first cohort in the fall of 2015.
As Qatar strives toward ensuring a robust medical sector, it is imperative to facilitate young Qataris to take up professional health programmes in higher institutions, especially in public schools.
The Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 states that the country targets “a comprehensive world-class healthcare system whose services are accessible to the population.” The QNV provides educational curricula and training programmes that respond to the country’s current and future needs, including producing qualified medical professionals.
In an interview with The Peninsula, Dr. Marwan Abu Hijleh, Acting Dean of College of Medicine, said it is a milestone for the university and the nation to have CMED in operation.
He added that CMED is currently undergoing full accreditation by the regional Turkish accrediting agency (TEPDAD), accredited by the international World Federation of Medical Education (WFME), and expects to complete the accreditation process before the end of 2023.
“It has a huge significance in that it can be considered as fulfilment of a dream that was first envisaged and then realised by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Building a new college with unique characteristics and distinct identity is no easy task,” Dr. Marwan said of CMED’s launch.
He said graduating the first batch was a significant “accomplishment of a well-planned and structured project to produce medical graduates, including 17 Qataris out of 46 in the first batch.”
The College of Medicine will celebrate its 2022 graduation on May 29 alongside the Colleges of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, with 23 Qatari medical graduates and 59 in total.
According to Dr. Marwan, the College, now in its seventh year of operation, has picked up several lessons like in-depth knowledge of college structures, policies, and procedures.
He noted that the officials persevered through all the difficulties of running a new college and recruited people with the potential to transform the vision into reality. In addition, the College engages with students in decision-making and building a culture of continuous self-evaluation and quality assurance which allows for meaningful growth and development.
According to the Acting Dean, the College uses the lessons mentioned earlier to improve in all the desired aspects.
“Effective communication allowed us to share our ideas and develop mechanisms for soliciting ongoing feedback. Compromising allowed us to recognise the value of receiving input from stakeholders, encouraged continued engagement, and demonstrated our receptivity to a wide range of ideas. This has encouraged innovation in a protected environment and helped us evolve and succeed as a College,” Dr. Marwan added.
He disclosed that the College offers a student-focused, culturally sensitive and supportive learning environment. Besides, Qatari students enrolled at the College of Medicine are eligible for student sponsorship from the Ministry of Administrative Development, including a monthly salary.
“We also encourage high school students to join some research programmes designated for them to have a real-life experience at the College.
“From the start of the College, our vision is to have a balanced and equal approach to student admission of Qatari citizens and residents. However, due to the vast demand by both sectors, it is becoming increasingly very competitive to secure a medical seat,” Dr. Marwan stated.
