Texas A&M University President Dr. M. Katherine Banks (sitting fourth left) along with the university officials and alumni during her visit at the Doha campus.
Doha, Qatar: Current and former students of Texas A&M University at Qatar, a Qatar Foundation partner university, shared their experiences, educational journeys and aspirations with Texas A&M University President, Dr. M Katherine Banks during her visit to the Doha campus.
The delegation from College Station included System Regent James R Brooks; Vice-President for Faculty Affairs, Dr. NK Anand; Vice-President for Student Affairs, Brig Gen. Joe Ramirez, Jr; Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Alan Sams; Vice-President for University Advancement, Andy Acker; and Executive Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Arul Jayaraman.
During several interactive sessions, students and graduates spoke about their time at Texas A&M at Qatar and how it shaped them into who they are today. They spoke about their classes, student clubs and activities, and research opportunities. The students also highlighted how their trips to the flagship campus in College Station broadened their horizons through meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.
“What sets Aggie engineers apart is that the Aggie Core Values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity and Selfless Service are part of their character, of who they are,” Banks said.
“Aggie engineers are capable of thinking outside of the box and converting ideas into action. Our students receive a values-based education with an entrepreneurial mindset which enables them to successfully lead projects from conception to completion.”
For the former students, discussion revolved around how a Texas A&M at Qatar education helped them become engineering leaders in Qatar. They spoke about how they continue to learn and grow from being part of the worldwide Aggie Network, and how the university has grown over the past two decades. They also shared insights as industry partners and potential employers of engineers graduating from the university.
Banks and the team spoke about their commitment to ensuring that the students at Texas A&M at Qatar get the best experience they can — inside and outside the classroom. They discussed the reasons why students chose to go to Texas A&M at Qatar, about how student organisations can be supported and reiterated their commitment to empowering students.
She also spoke about how she believes Doha is a hub for enterprise, construction and innovation, and how she has witnessed it change over the past two decades.
She shared her goal to have 100 percent of the students at Texas A&M at Qatar spend at least some time as students at the flagship campus, as well as how to support all students on that journey. During her visit, Banks also met with leadership of Qatar Foundation and other Education City Universities.
