Qatar University (QU) has been ranked among the top 600 universities in the world in the recent THE World University Rankings 2016/17. The achievement was announced on September 22 by Times Higher Education (THE) whereby QU was ranked in the range of 501-600 most highly ranked universities for the 2016/17 edition.

This achievement consolidates QU’s recent improvement results in rankings as the institution has been ranked #393 in the QS World University Rankings 2016/17 and #49 in the QS Top 50 under 50 ranking among the best young universities in the world. 

The THE World University Rankings are the only global performance tables that judge research-intensive universities across all their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. They use 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons, trusted by students, academics, university leaders, industry and governments. The performance indicators are grouped into five areas: Teaching -- the learning environment (30%), Research -- volume, income and reputation (30%), Citations -- research influence (30%), International outlook -- staff, students and research (7.5%), and Industry income -- knowledge transfer (2.5%).

Welcoming the results, QU president Dr Hassan Al Derham said: “Being selected among the top universities in the world is an important milestone to QU at a time when the institution is becoming a driver of higher education and research quality in the region. QU’s improvement in the rankings is all the more commendable this year as the list of assessed universities increased since last year with 180 universities added to the list, however QU’s rank continued to improve. This comes as result of the organization’s ongoing commitment to providing excellent academic and research outcomes, and to producing competent and highly skilled graduates who will meet the needs of the local and regional labor market. We look forward to consistently increasing our positioning in the international arena.”

THE Rankings editor Phil Baty said: “Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings are the most comprehensive and the most robust global university rankings. They employ 13 separate performance indicators across the full range of a university’s core missions, including teaching, research and knowledge transfer, and all data and calculations are subjected to rigorous independent audit. There are understood to be more than 20,000 higher education institutions in the world, so for Qatar University to make the top 600 ranked by Times Higher Education is an outstanding achievement to be celebrated. Qatar University is one of the world’s most international universities -- ensuring that it benefits from a powerful network of international research collaborations and a talent pool well beyond the borders of Qatar. This all bodes well for its future in the rankings too.”

The Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center (QTTSC) at Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) recently organized and hosted two training courses on “Roadside and Median Safety” and “Global Road Safety: Public Health Trends, Road Safety Strategies and Policy Actions”.

The training course on “Roadside and Median Safety” brought delegates from QTTSC, Qatar Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Public Works Authority (Ashghal), engineering companies and consulting offices. Many international traffic safety barriers suppliers from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK also participated in the training. They presented samples and delivered presentations on barriers specifications and how barriers align with international standards. The training course on “Global Road Safety: Public Health Trends, Road Safety Strategies and Policy Actions” brought together 30 experts from QTTSC, Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Qatar Ministry of Health, Qatar Ministry of Interior, Qatar Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Hamad Medical Corporation, and driving learning schools in Qatar, as well as QU faculty and graduate students.

It featured presentations delivered by QTTSC Assistant Research Professor Dr Wael Alhajyaseen, Former Assistant Minister of Serbia Mr Demir Hadzic, International Road Federation International Programs and Advocacy Director Mr Brendan Halleman, World Bank Transport Sector Coordinator for the GCC region and North Africa Mr Said Dahdah, and Qatar National Traffic Safety Office Manager Dr Kim Jraiw. They addressed a wide range of issues such as “Qatar Strategic Plan for Road Safety”, “Safe System Approach and its Application”, “Fundamentals of Road Traffic Injury Prevention”, “Assessing the Health and Economic Burden of RTIs”, “Evaluating Road Safety Interventions”, “Collecting Data and Planning Interventions”, and “Risk Factors and Selecting Interventions”. Other discussed topics included “Influencing Policy Discourse - applications for Qatar” and “Incorporating Vulnerable Road Users into Safety Policies - Applications for Qatar”.

Commenting on the events, CENG Dean Dr Khalifa Al-Khalifa said: “In hosting such training courses, QTTSC is demonstrating its position as the leading center in Qatar that contributes to advancing a culture of traffic safety within the community and to providing decision-makers with sustainable solutions that will ultimately benefit the society. These courses are designed to make thorough changes in traffic safety conditions. They engage professionals and engineers from public and private sectors in Qatar and beyond to develop a traffic safety culture for both drivers and pedestrians in line with QU efforts to raise public awareness and responsibility.”

The Biomedical Research Center at Qatar University (QU-BRC) will organize a workshop on “Emerging Pathogens at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface” on October 11-12 in conjunction with Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF).

The 2-day event aims to provide ministry representatives and professionals within Qatar and beyond an opportunity to network and develop collaborative activities, and to share up-to-date scientific research ‎findings, a “One Health” training and outreach model systems against environmental infectious diseases (EID).

Discussions will focus on the establishment of a global knowledge-sharing platform, the various activities of the International Congress on Pathogens at the Human Animal Interface (ICOPHAI), and the procedures for organizing a global conference in Doha in 2017. The workshop comes in line with Qatar’s efforts to prevent ‎and control the emerging of human, animal and environmental infectious diseases. It is developed among global partners including QU, Ohio State University, and ICOPHAI, as well as other local, ‎regional and global partners.

BRC Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases Dr Hadi Yassine said: “This workshop (AGI-02-P6) is a Category 1 - Accredited Group Learning Activities as defined by the Accreditation Department of Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners. It is also approved for a maximum of 10.25 credit hours for all topics.”

Qatar University College of Arts & Sciences (QU-CAS) student Shamma AlKuwari won the Regional Winner award of The Undergraduate Awards (UA) 2016 Programme for her paper titled “A Comparison of Early Illustrations of George Herbert’s “The Altar” with English Architecture”.

Shamma AlKuwari, 5^th-year English Literature & Linguistics student, presented the highest performing paper in the Africa and the Middle East region in the English Literature category.

The Undergraduate Awards received a record number of submissions for its 2016 Programme totaling a massive 5,514 papers of undergraduates from 244 institutions in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Island of Ireland, Latin America, Middle East, Oceania, USA & Canada. The Global Winner is the highest-performing paper within its category and the Regional Winners are the highly commended papers from their region within a category. CAS Dean Dr Rashid Ahmed Al-Kuwari said: “Participating in these competitions helps our students to build their knowledge, experience and skills. This underlines CAS’ efforts to provide students with a highly intellectual environment to explore and achieve their potential, in line with QU’s commitment to shape a generation of professionals and leaders who can drive the country’s future towards a knowledge-based economy.” 

UA CEO Louise Hodgson said: “This is a huge achievement for Qatar University and its student. UA received the highest number of submissions to date with only the best papers making it through the judging process - the competition was extremely tough and the judges were astounded at the high quality of undergraduate research in the program this year. Congratulations to this year’s successful entrants.” Shamma AlKawari said: “The origins of the paper started as a small in-class assignment in an upper level English class and grew when I conducted my capstone. I received excellent one-on-one supervision that helped me shape a paper that I am truly proud of. I was encouraged to participate in The Undergraduate Awards 2016 Programme and I am delighted to have performed so well in the competition. I am truly grateful for the support provided by Qatar University.”

The Undergraduate Awards is the world’s largest international academic awards program, recognizing excellent research and original work across the sciences, humanities, business and creative arts. Highly commended entrants are invited to meet their fellow awardees at the annual UA Global Summit which will take place in Dublin, Ireland on November 8-11.

Qatar University College of Pharmacy (QU-CPH) MSc student and Interprofessional Education Student Society President Maryam Jaam won with her team the 1^st place at the International Healthcare Challenge at the 8^th International Conference on Interprofessional Practice and Education which was recently held at Oxford University.

The students Maryam Jaam, CPH final year 4^th-year student and Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Society President Amani Faissal Al-Haddad, and CPH 4^th-year student Noora Mohammad AlHamad each were placed in an interprofessional team and competed against each other. The interprofessional student teams were from various countries including Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, Qatar, Sweden, Turkey and USA. They participated in a 4-day “real world” health care case challenge in which they applied an interprofessional approach to take care of a 30-year-old quadriplegic with various health care complications and presented in front of an international panel of judges from Canada, Japan, Singapore, and the UK.

Myriam Jaam delivered an oral presentation on “The IPE Student Society in a Middle Eastern setting: Take on the challenge and ride the journey” and the three students presented a poster on “A student Journey of Interprofessional learning in a Middle Eastern context” under the supervision of CPH Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and IPE Committee Chair Ms Alla El-Awaisi. Commenting on the students’ achievement, CPH Dean Dr Mohammad Diab said: “This competition provides our students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of IPE and to showcase their talents in front of their peers and experts at both the local and international levels. They continue to make us proud as leaders in the field of pharmacy and across interprofessional disciplines.”

Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE) President Prof Hugh Barr said: “Team challenge! A challenge too for each student getting the measure of others from different countries and professions, entering into another role, working against the clock to prepare her presentations to an audience of 500 then thinking on her feet in response to additional information. A challenge especially for those from Qatar arriving only days before in England before meeting students from other countries for the first time then speaking so assuredly in their second language. I feel sure that you would have enjoyed their presentations as much as I did.”

CPH Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Ms Alla El-Awaisi who travelled with the students said: “Participating in these conferences is a great opportunity for our students to represent the college, the university, the country, and the region as a whole. The knowledge and skills that our students gain from the CPH program continue to allow them to shine on the world stage. CPH is planning to initiate next spring a National Healthcare Challenge in Qatar which will bring together students from various health care professions across Qatar to compete in interprofessional teams and provide the best care plans for patients. With the successful execution of such a competition, CPH plans to grow the following year to a regional competition including students from across the Middle East.”

Myriam Jaam said: “Our participation in this conference was a great opportunity not only to learn about other professions but also about the various health practices and systems around the world. It was an exciting and enriching experience and I am very thankful to the College of Pharmacy for providing us this opportunity as well as the knowledge and skills which distinguishes us from others.” Noora AlHamad said: “Being part of such an international competition is a motivating experience and drives students to show their talents and apply their skills beyond the classroom. It was an amazing opportunity to test my critical skills in real life and case scenario setting and to be able to collect the feedbacks of international leaders and health care professionals from various disciplines.”

Amani Al Haddad said: “The experience of meeting and sharing our expertise with students from various professional backgrounds has been a great learning opportunity. It is an honor for us to represent the College of Pharmacy, Qatar University and Qatar on the international stage.” During their trip, the students had also the opportunity to participate in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Conference which was held in Birmingham. Amani Al Haddad and Noora AlHamad were conference delegates while Myriam Jaam presented her research poster on “Evaluating the Evidence on Barriers to Medication Adherence in Patients with Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Systemic Reviews”.

Qatar University College of Health Sciences (QU-CHS) recently welcomed its first cohort of masters students in an orientation exercise aimed to introduce them to their respective programs and study plan, and to the various services, resources and facilities that will serve to support them throughout their years of study.

The students were new admits to CHS masters programs -- Master of Biomedical Sciences and Master of Public Health. This is the first cohort of masters students to enroll in the college since its inception this year.

During the event, the new arrivals were provided the opportunity to meet and interact with CHS faculty and their colleagues. They were also given instructions and guidance from CHS current students and alumni to help them towards achieving academic success. CHS Public Health Department Head Dr Lukman Thalib noted that for this academic year, 18 students were admitted to the Public Health master’s program. He also highlighted CHS mission to graduate highly qualified professionals who are well-equipped with the necessary skills and capabilities that enable them to promote the healthcare sector in Qatar.​

CHS Associate Professor and Graduate Studies Coordinator Dr Pejman Hanifi Moghaddam observed that CHS offers highly competitive masters programs, noting that only eight students were admitted to the Biomedical Sciences master’s program this year. He said: “The Biomedical Sciences program aims to train highly qualified graduates in advanced Clinical Practice or Laboratory Management, which will contribute to the growth of the healthcare sector and thus, the health and welfare of the people of Qatar.” 

Qatar University College of Medicine (QU-CMED) held on October 11 a workshop aimed to present a contextual model of communication which can be mapped on to professional expertise in an integrated manner, and to outline the theoretical and descriptive underpinnings of such an integrated perspective on communicative expertise while considering the challenges of assessment in educational and training settings.

Themed “A Contextual Model of Healthcare Communication: Challenges for Description and Assessment”, the forum brought together health care professionals and researchers from several colleges within QU, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q). Attendees included QU VP for Medical Education and CMED Dean Dr Egon Toft, CMED Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr Hossam Hamdy, CMED Head of Basic Medical Science Department Prof Marwan Farouk Abu-Hijleh, and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Assistant Medical Director of Professional Development Dr Ameeta Patel, as well as CMED faculty, staff, and students.

The program agenda included lectures delivered by Prof Srikant Sarangi, Director of Danish Institute of Humanities and Medicine (DIHM) at Aalborg University, Denmark, on “An Overview of Concepts & Themes in Healthcare Communication” and “Analyzing Healthcare Communication Data from a Contextual Perspective”. Prof Sarangi noted the many challenges facing contemporary health care and which encompass globalization and cultural diversity, bureaucratization, ethical dilemmas, health technology and digitalization, consumerism and the coming of age of the expert patient. He stressed the need to reconfigure professional expertise, including communicative expertise.

“Language/communication-based health care studies related to discourse have been carried out over the past four decades, both within quantitative and qualitative research paradigms”, he said, adding, “The conceptualization of communication goes beyond the behavioral model of a skill-set to capture it as a dynamic system and environment, comprising content and relationship. By extension, the scope of communication teaching in health care curricula has to include not only doctor-patient encounter in the spoken form but also communication with and about patients in other modalities such as writing, inclusive of inter-professional and inter-organizational mediations.”

Prof Sarangi also noted that an adequate level of description of the multi-layered health care communication process is a necessary precondition for its assessment in the curricular setting and for its operationalization in real-life professional practice. The lecture was followed by a Q&A session in which participants fielded questions on issues related to specificities of the Qatari health care context, comparative discussions related to communication styles in various medical settings and cultures, and the influence of technological advancements and patient access to information on patient communication styles in the present and the future. 

The Social & Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at Qatar University (QU) held a workshop on “Advanced Sampling” on October 10-13, aimed to introduce researchers to the principles and practice of analyzing data from complex sample surveys.

The event brought together over 40 participants across QU to exchange their ideas and knowledge, and to share their experiences on complex sample survey data. SESRI Director Dr Hassan Al-Sayed delivered the opening remarks.

The workshop was led by Professor and Research Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan and Research Professor and Joint Program in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland Prof James M Lepkowski, and Senior Research Associate in the Survey Methodology Program at the Institute for Social Research Prof Patricia Berglund. They presented the principles of survey design and how design features affect analysis methods as well as the use of statistical software to do such analysis. They also illustrated methods for analyzing survey data with such features through examples using an education survey from Qatar, and implemented such analyses using two statistical software systems -- SPSS and Stata. 

In his remarks, Dr Hassan Al-Sayed noted that complex sample surveys are those employing one or more basic sampling design or estimation techniques such as weights, stratification, cluster sampling, nonlinear estimation, variance estimation, or imputation. He further noted that the nature of these features are examined to help participants understand why these features make analysis of such data more complex. 

He added: “By hosting this event, SESRI is working towards QU’s strategic objective to seek efficient solutions to issues that impact the wider community and to ensure that research efforts address contemporary challenges in Qatar and beyond. SESRI continues to deliver on its mission to enhance research capacity by studying and monitoring important societal changes, and to provide sound and reliable data to guide policy formulation, priority-setting, and evidence-based planning and research in the social and economic sectors.”

Qatar University College of Law (QU-LAWC) yesterday hosted the “Qatari-South Korean Law Forum: Comparative and International Approaches” aimed to discuss the legal framework of international relations related to business and trading between Qatar and South Korea.

Organized in collaboration with Korea University Law School, the forum was an opportunity to promote dialogue among students, researchers and experts from Qatar and beyond to share their ideas and knowledge on comparative and international approaches of Qatari-South Korean Law.

Ambassador of South Korea to the State of Qatar H.E. Mr Park Heung-kyeong delivered the welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony followed by LAWC Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and Professor of Civil Law Prof Faouzi Belknani, and Professor of Law at Korea University Law School Prof Young-Hwan Chung. The event’s program included a film screening on LAWC and 2 panel discussions themed “New Laws, Policies and Trends in Qatari-Korean Business” and “Business Dispute Resolution”.

Discussions focused on a wide range of topics such as “International Legal Aspects of Monetary Relations within Northeast Asia: Selected Issues”, “Evaluation of the Conditional-Absolute Payment Issue in Letters of Credit: Identifying which Position Provides Maximum Party Autonomy, Certainty, Flexibility, Fairness and Good Faith”, “Assessment of Shareholders Protection in the New Qatari Corporate Law: Paving the Road for Investors”, “The protection of minority shareholders in Qatari corporate Law”, “Protection of Personal Data in Korea”, “Models of Dispute Resolution and Economic Development: QIC & DRC. DFCC and Singapore International Court as the Real Alternative”, “Access to Korean Judicial System for Foreign Nationals”, “Good faith in contracts: Qatari Law perspective”, “Electronic Litigation in Korea”, and “The Enforcement of Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation”.

LAWC Dean Dr Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi said: “This forum is the first-of-its-kind in the region to highlight the solid relations between Qatar and South Korea, and both countries’ legislations from the perspective of commercial law.” Dr Al-Khulaifi stressed on the importance to provide a legal environment which contributes to the establishment of legislations that protect investment and preserve the rights of investors. He also highlighted the need to create an effective and efficient justice which is one of the most significant factors for the sustainability and the development of Qatar’s openness to foreign investment. He said: “Qatar became the Arab world’s engine of growth and development. The country was named first in the Arab world and 14^th internationally in the index of global competitiveness 2015-2016.”

H.E. Mr Park Heung-kyeong said: “I would like to convey my sincere appreciation to the College of Law at Qatar University and Korea University Law School for organizing this significant law forum here in Doha. This forum is both opportune and appropriate in discussing important legal aspects of business between Qatari and Korean companies from monetary relations, financial transactions and investments to dispute resolutions and the application of Korean judicial systems for foreign nationals. We are witnessing the activity of many large Korean companies and small and medium companies exploring business opportunities in Qatar.”

He added: “I would like also to express my deep gratitude to Qatar University for offering a Korean language program starting this semester, a collaboration between Qatar University and the Korea Foundation. Korea University, one of the best universities in Korea, has been committed to cooperating with Qatar University by last year signing an agreement for joint exchanges in Masters’ and PhD programs at both institutions.”

Prof Faouzi Belknani said: “The economic development and the increase in the number of Korean companies in Qatar led to the need for the establishment of a legal environment with the aim to enhance the growing investments in the country. In this regard, the creation of legislations should meet the needs of various developments that are taking place in the country, while maintaining Qatar’s political, economic and social roots. This forum is a valuable opportunity to establish comparative and international approaches of the Qatari and South Korean law, and to provide a better understanding of each country’s legal culture.”

Qatar University (QU) Health Clinic will organize its annual flu vaccination campaign on October  31. The campaign aims to increase community awareness on the importance of getting an annual flu vaccine. By getting an annual flu vaccine, we can minimize the impact of seasonal influenza (flu) on QU members, allowing us to create a safe learning environment for all.

During this time, the Health Clinic’s medical team will be available from 8am to 2pm to provide free flu vaccination shots at the Female Health Clinic. The Health Clinic will also provide information leaflets on the importance of flu vaccinations, and staff members will be available to answer the questions or concerns that QU members may have about flu vaccinations.

Commenting on the event, Health Clinic Head Dr Hafsa Hashad said: “The campaign aligns with QU mission to raising community awareness on health-related issues and to providing the ultimate support to Qatar’s healthcare sector. Millions of people are hospitalized each year from the flu, and over 30,000 people die from flu-related problems annually. Getting an annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missing work and school due to the flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. Although the elderly, pregnant women and children are at high risk of the flu, healthy children and adults can also get very sick and spread the flu to their families and friends. Getting vaccinated protects you as well as the people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, the elderly, and those with certain chronic health conditions.”

QU Health Clinic will continue to provide flu vaccinations until June 2017. Qatari ID is required to get the flu vaccination shot.

The Center for Volunteerism and Community Service at Qatar University (QU) yesterday launched the 2^nd edition of the “I Relief” campaign in collaboration with Qatar Charity.

The campaign, which will engage over 150 male and female volunteers from various colleges within QU, is part of an agreement signed in July 2016 between the two institutions. It aims to raise community awareness on the role of youth and university students in volunteering activities that serve humanitarian issues.

The campaign will run during this month. It includes the restoration of a school in Syria by QU students, and a wide range of charity events on and outside QU campus. It also includes workshops and training sessions on various areas such as volunteerism, project management, teamwork, communication skills, and more. Commenting on the campaign, QU Student Services & Activities Director Mr Abdulla Al-Yafei said: “We, at QU, are keen to engage our students in community service activities to build a healthy learning environment based on research, planning and student leadership. The “I relief’ campaign will contribute to providing our students with numerous opportunities to invest their skills and knowledge and to serve community needs.”

Programs Director at Qatar Charity Executive Department for Local Development Mr Nasser Al Megheiseb said: “We are delighted to launch the 2^nd edition of the “I relief” campaign, as a result of our solid partnership with Qatar University. Through this initiative, we provide youth with ultimate volunteering opportunities that unlock their potential and help them contribute to the restoration of a school in Syria and apply their theoretical and practical knowledge in humanitarian relief.”

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) recently hosted the '2nd Industry Integrated Computing Education Curricula Workshop'.

The event, which was supported by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), aimed to highlight the needs of local information security and cyber security institutions, and build new cooperative learning curricula based on competency frameworks.

The first day's programme featured a seminar on 'Industry, Business and Workplace Competency Based Curricula; Models and Case Studies' moderated by CSE Professor of Computer Science and Pro-Skima NPRP Lead Project Investigator Prof Abdelaziz Bouras and CENG Head of Technology Innovation & Engineering Education Dr Mahmoud Abdulwahed, and presented by Senior Project Manager at Swiss Federal Institute for VET Emanuel W'fcthrich, Program Development Chair at the College of North Atlantic - Qatar (CNA-Q) Samah Gammar, and Associate Professor of Education Sciences at University of Lyon Dr Laurent Veillard. They gave an overview of several international approaches for industry/business/academia collaboration, and presented various methods to build a competency framework and a training curriculum.

The second day's programme included a series of presentations delivered by Prof Abdelaziz Bouras, QNRF Education Program Manager Dr Abdellahi Hussein, Emanuel W'fcthrich, and Dr Laurent Veillard. Discussed topics focused on 'NPRP Pro-SKIMA Project Presentation', 'Importance of academia/industry link for ICT higher education in Qatar and NPRP program support', and 'Overview on Industry-Integrated education in Switzerland, France and Canada'. It also included an industry brainstorming session 'IT Security function roles and activities, and how to increase the number of Qatari security practitioners within companies in Qatar' moderated by Prof Abdelaziz Bouras, CSE assistant professor in Computer Engineering and Thales Cybersecurity Chair Dr Thieyacine Ely Fall, and Emanuel W'fcthrich.

Commenting on the workshop, CSE Head Dr Sumaya al Maadeed said:"It is part of CSE efforts to strengthen links with local business and industry to better capture their requirements and needs and reflect that on the existing and future curricula in computer science and engineering. The department continues to deliver on its mission to share knowledge and expertise to benefit the society in Qatar and beyond, and to promote computer and information science and engineering by equipping graduates with the knowledge, abilities and skills to become innovators and leaders who are able to contribute to the aspirations of the country."

Prof Abdelaziz Bouras said:"Through Pro-SKIMA NPRP project we are making benchmarking and prototypes to enhance such relationship between Qatar University curricula and the local industry." Dr Abdellahi Hussein said:"The academia/industry link in Qatar is highly important today, and QNRF is happy to support multidisciplinary research in the field of education through its National Priority Research Program."

Qatar University (QU) Student Affairs Sector launched its upcoming student leadership conference “Taqadam: Tanmeea, Enjaz, Qiaadah” at a press conference held yesterday.

Details of the 2-day conference (November 26-27) were outlined by QU VP for Students Affairs Dr Khalid Al-Khanji, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) President Dr Ken MacLeod, Community College of Qatar (CCQ) Dean Dr Abdulla Hazaimeh, and Stenden University Qatar Executive Dean Dr Ivan Ninov, in the presence of officials from QU and the partnering institutions, and representatives of the local media.

The conference, first-of-its-kind in Qatar, will be held under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Doha Film Institute and Reach Out To Asia. It is organized in partnership with CCQ, CNA-Q, Stenden University Qatar and Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), and sponsored by Qatar Development Bank (QDB). The conference will bring together students from colleges and universities across Qatar to network and exchange their knowledge and experiences on leadership development in the GCC region.

Commenting on the conference, Dr Khalid Al-Khanji said: “I am delighted to welcome you all at QU to announce the launch of the second edition of the student leadership conference “Taqadam” which brings together students from higher education institutions in Qatar and the GCC. Some may think that leadership is a talent, while others think it is acquired. We are keen to provide students from QU and from other higher education institutions with opportunities that help them acquire leadership skills and uplift their talents to become future leaders. In hosting this conference, QU is also demonstrating its ongoing efforts to raise its student’s awareness on the importance of gaining theoretical leadership skills and the know-how to apply them in real-life situations.”

Dean of CCQ Dr Abdalla Hazaimeh said: “On behalf of CCQ, I would like to thank QU for partnering with us in organizing this event. The new “transforming leadership” vision focuses on the ways leaders emerge from being ordinary “transactional” brokers and deal-makers to become real agents of major social change. The Taqadam student leadership conference gives our nation’s children the opportunity to learn more about transformational leadership, not only in theoretical terms, but also in terms of practical application. I am delighted to see that this year’s conference includes new presentations which highlight young “up-and-coming” leaders.”

President of CNA-Q Dr Ken MacLeod said: “The Taqadam student leadership conference is a prime example of providing students with an opportunity that allows them to learn from current leaders to become future leaders. The State of Qatar was born from a vision that was built by progressive leadership. There is a strong commitment to leadership in the country, which is instinctively instilled in Qatar’s youth. The true value of leadership is displayed when students have the opportunity to converse with and learn from their peers.”

Executive Dean of Stenden University Qatar Dr Ivan Ninov said: “It is a great pleasure and privilege for Stenden University Qatar to participate in the second edition of the Taqadam conference which we believe will create a foundation for strong social and professional networking amongst its participants. It will also provide our students with a unique platform to showcase their leadership potential and to interact with their peers from other higher education institutions.”

Qatar University launched yesterday the 3^rd Middle East Molecular Biology Congress & Exhibition 2016 with an opening ceremony attended by QU officials, faculty, students and staff, and a number of experts and researchers in the field of molecular biology.

The event (November 14-18), the first of its kind in the region, is a collaboration between QU and Middle East Molecular Biology Sources (MEMBS), and is sponsored by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar Biobank for Medical Research, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Genome Programme, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), Sidra Medical and Research Center, and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q). Its aim is to provide a platform for representatives of the academic and industrial communities to interact and promote the translation of research into therapy.

The forum brings together around 500 leading biologists and biomedical engineers, including professors and their trainees from the academic, clinical and pharmaceutical fields to showcase their latest research, highlight the use of innovative and emerging technologies, and encourage interactions and new interdisciplinary collaborations in the field of molecular biology.

Keynote speakers are Associate Dean for Research, Laura H Carnell Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Director of the Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research (MCDDR) at Temple University School of Pharmacy Prof Magid Abou-Gharbia, Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Harvard Stem Cell Institute Principal Investigator Dr Chad Cowan, WCMC Department of Genetic Medicine Chairman Dr Ronald Crystal, The Rockfeller University Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and St Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases Attending Physician Prof Jean-Laurent Casanova, University of California Adjunct Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology Prof Alexandra Butler, Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Biomedical Optics at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Prof Theo Lasser, University of Zurich Institute of Experimental Immunology Group Leader Prof Maries van den Broek, Professor of Medicine at University of Manchester Prof Rayaz Malik, and Professor of Biotechnology at American University of Ras Al Kaimah Prof Muhammed Mukhtar.

The event’s program comprises sessions in the form of presentations, discussion panels and workshops that address a wide range of topics related to “Genomics and Personalized Medicine”, “Stem Cells and Cellular Therapy”, “Metabolism and Endocrinology”, “Diabetes”, “Cancer Epigenetic”, “Neurosciences: Synaptic function in health and disease”, “Signaling and Systems Biology”, “Neurosciences: Neurodegenerative Diseases”, “Infectious Diseases”, “Neurosciences: Therapeutic”, “Cancer Immunology”, “Biotechnology”, “Structural  Biology and Molecular Imaging”, and more. It also features an exhibition including a number of booths offering equipment, services and publications related to molecular biology.

Commenting on the forum, QU President Dr Hassan Al Derham said: “QU is proud to host the 3rd Middle East Molecular Biology Congress & Exhibition 2016, which brings together leading experts to showcase the latest technologies in molecular biology. During the past years, molecular biology has made a progress in key areas such as genome sciences, cell therapy, cancer treatment, and diabetes, which has a positive impact on human life and health. QU continues in its efforts to advance exact sciences under the umbrella of ethical values to serve the needs of the society.” 

QU VP for Medical Education and CMED Dean Dr Egon Toft said: “In hosting such an event, QU is demonstrating its ongoing efforts to raise awareness on molecular biology in the Middle East and to promote research in key medical areas such as genetic diseases and stem cells to provide efficient solutions to medical issues that impact the wider community and to ensure that research efforts align with the needs of the healthcare sector in Qatar and the region. We are delighted to collaborate with MEMBS in organizing this congress that serves as a platform for experts and researchers from academia and industry to share their experiences and pave way for future interdisciplinary collaborations in molecular biology.”

Qatar Biobank for Medical Research Vice-Chairperson, Qatar Genome Programme Committee Chairperson and QU College of Health Sciences (CHS) Dean Dr Asma Al-Thani said: “We, at Qatar Biobank for Medical Research and Qatar Genome Programme, are pleased to be sponsoring and participating in MEMBS annual congress and exhibition. Qatar Biobank for Medical Research and Qatar Genome Programme are committed to promoting the understanding of local and regional health and diseases by advancing new research that moves towards breakthroughs in health and medicine, and by organizing events that create an excellent platform for experts to exchange their ideas in the field of health and medicine.”

Qatar University College of Education (QU-CED) recently signed an agreement with Jyväskylä University (JYU) to establish collaboration in the field of education and research.

The agreement was signed by CED Dean Dr Ahmed Al-Emadi and Jyväskylä University Rector Prof Matti Manninen in the presence of CED Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies Prof Yahya Al-Nakeeb, JYU Faculty of Education Dean Prof Marja-Leena Laakso, and JYU Faculty of Education Vice Dean Prof Anna-Maija Poikkeus, as well as officials and faculty from both institutions. The terms of the agreement include collaboration on the development of QU Early Childhood Center and Physical Education and Sports Studies Program, research publications, and the exchange of faculty, researchers and students. The agreement also covers joint conferences, seminars and workshops, as well as collaborative research projects and funding. Both institutions will also cooperate to establish a Doctoral program (PhD) in Education.

The agreement is part of an official trip to JYU, in which Dr Ahmed Al-Emadi and Prof Yahya Al-Nakeeb visited JYU Early Childhood Center and Kuokkala primary school in the city of Jyväskylä. The trip also included a wide range of activities such as a presentation on JYU educational psychology, research projects and laboratories, an introduction on the tools and methods used for data collection and analysis by the University’s faculty members and students, an introduction to the Finnish Physical program, and a visit to the famous Finish scientist and educator Alvar Aalto Museum.

Commenting on the agreement, Dr Ahmed Al-Emadi said: “By signing this agreement, CED reinforces its positioning as a leading partner in contributing to the development of the education sector in Qatar, which is an essential pillar of the country’s ambitions towards a knowledge-based economy. The College continues its commitment towards expanding its international collaborations to advance its academic programs and outcomes and to provide quality education that is aligned with international standards and that ultimately impacts our students and their future success.”

Prof Matti Manninen applauded the initiative of establishing collaborative activities and exchange programs for faculty and students between Qatar University and Jyväskylä University, which will contribute to sharing good educational practice and to enhancing the quality of research and scholarly activities of students and faculty from both institutions. 

Qatar University (QU) and Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) yesterday signed an agreement to establish strategic collaboration in diverse fields such as informatics and media, technical consulting, research, and training.

The agreement was signed by QU President Dr Hassan Al Derham and GOIC Secretary General H.E. Abdul-Aziz H Al-Ageel in the presence of QU VP for Academic Affairs Dr Mazen Hasna, QU VP for Research and Graduate Studies Dr Mariam Al-Maadeed, and QU VP for Student Affairs Dr Khalid Al-Khanji, as well as QU faculty and staff.

In the terms of the agreement, both institutions will provide technical, administrative and financial consulting and assessment for the implementation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and share technical information, sessions and statistic data in the field of economy and industry. The agreement also covers collaborative studies in the field of petrochemical, metal, pharmaceutical and food industries, technical diagnostic studies to define the various opportunities and challenges that SMEs face, and research and field surveys on industrial strategies and policies with the aim to develop the industrial sector in the GCC.

Both institutions will also cooperate in providing joint conferences, seminars, and workshops, as well as internships and training for QU students.

Commenting on the agreement, Dr Hassan Al Derham said: “The establishment of partnerships with local, regional, and international institutions is a key priority at QU. Last year, the university signed around 46 MoUs because we believe that the exchange of knowledge and experiences is an essential component to promote research and to fulfill the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the national aspirations towards a knowledge-based economy. Our collaboration with GOIC will contribute to enhancing the local industry and to providing valuable data, research outcomes, and consulting services that will serve the public and private sectors in Qatar.”

H.E. Abdul-Aziz H Al-Ageel noted that GCC governments are making substantial progress in diversifying the industrial sector away from energy-based and petrochemical industries. He also noted that the innovative R&D capabilities and the highly skilled workforce in the Gulf countries are vital factors to enhancing the GCC industries.” He added: “GOIC is committed to strengthening links between GCC industries and R&D centers and universities. The organization is currently establishing a database of GCC R&D capabilities in line with the needs of industry. In this regard, we are looking forward to strengthening our collaboration with Qatar University and other GCC R&D centers and universities.”

Qatar University (QU) yesterday signed agreements with Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), Mowasalat, and Dolphin Energy Limited.

The agreements were signed by QU President Dr Hassan Al Derham, MEHE Undersecretary H.E. Rabea Mohamed Al-Kaabi, Mowasalat Managing Director Mr Khalid Nasser Al Hail, and Dolphin Energy Limited General Manager - Qatar Mr Hassan Al Emadi. Attendees included QU VP for Academic Affairs Dr Mazen Hasna, QU Chief Strategy and Development Officer Dr Darwish Al-Emadi, QU College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Dean Dr Rashid Al-Kuwari, Mowasalat Chairman Mr Nasser bin Mohammed Al Malki, and Dolphin Energy Limited Director of Government and Public Relations Mr Ajlan Al Enazi, as well as CENG faculty and staff.

The agreement with MEHE, Mowasalat and Dolphin Energy Limited aimed to establish a STEM on wheels project through the development of a STEM laboratory mobile bus that provides schools in Qatar with STEM technology. The mobile laboratory will bring real-life and daily STEM experiences to students and educators. In the terms of the agreement, Mowasalat will provide a bus, while Dolphin Energy Limited will sponsor the establishment of the bus interior and the provision of technological equipment. MEHE will create a comprehensive plan for the bus trips to schools, including those in rural areas. QU engineering students will design the bus interior and provide technological applications and equipment.

The event included the signing of another MoU between Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center (QTTSC) at QU College of Engineering (CENG) and Mowasalat to establish collaboration on new research and consulting programs used for studies on traffic safety in Qatar. In the terms of the agreement, Mowasalat’s Karwa Driving School will offer exclusive and various training programs accredited and certified by global institutions. Karwa Driving School will also provide information and statistics to support the projects while QTTSC will handle the projects.

Commenting on the agreements, Dr Hassan Al Derham said: “The STEM on wheels project is the first of its kind in Qatar and the region. This STEM mobile laboratory contributes to motivate students and encourage them to explore out-of-the-classroom STEM experiences through a contemporary learning approach that adopts new applications and that serves the school curriculum. QU is proud to be part of this state-of-the-art project that will promote quality education within high schools in Qatar, while reinforcing relations between the partnering institutions. This is a testament of QU’s commitment to strengthen collaborations between academia and industry in Qatar.”

He added: “Traffic safety is a very important area in a fast-developing country like Qatar, and being Qatar’s premier national university, QU continues to deliver on its mission and vision to build strategic partnerships with local institutions and civil society to address road safety challenges and offer sustainable solutions that will contribute to the country’s development and growth.”

H.E. Rabea Mohamed Al-Kaabi extended his gratitude for signing STEM on wheels agreement which aims to highlight STEM topics in a way that will enhance students’ excellence in line with national aspirations towards a knowledge-based economy and the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. He said: “The STEM on wheels project made a complete connection between general education and higher education institutions in a creative way that helps students make use of such techniques, which enables them to become the scientists of the future in the area of STEM.”

Mr Khalid Nasser Al Hail noted that students should acquire entrepreneurial skills and provide support to basic industries by contributing to development projects. He said: “Mowasalat has been taking various initiatives to engage the youth of Qatar since 2012. Qatar University College of Engineering students along with deans, faculty members and senior officials visited Mowasalat and witnessed how “Made in Qatar Karwa bus” is being assembled, and they showed interest to carry out their projects and internships and benefit from Mowasalat’s expertise and experience. Mowasalat is keen to support the youth of Qatar to enhance education, awareness, innovation and improvement of the urban world through the development of public and mass transportation for sustainable mobility solutions.”

Mr Hassan Al-Emadi said: “Dolphin Energy is delighted to sponsor this unique initiative. The mobile laboratory is a wonderful way to innovate, engage and provide opportunities to foster young talents across the country and help develop future leaders for the country. We will always embrace programs that support Qatar National Vision 2030 and complement our own sustainability strategy.”

CENG Dean Dr Khalifa Al-Khalifa said: “These collaborations highlight CENG’s commitment to developing partnerships with private and government organizations with the aim to invest in research and development and to promote STEM education among high-school students. Community engagement stands at the heart of QU’s mission and through our cooperation with Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Mowasalat and Dolphin Energy Limited, we are demonstrating the breadth of initiatives and projects at college and institution levels that serve to reinforce our links with the society on one hand, and to prepare the future generation of professionals to come up with new initiatives and creative productivity on the other.”

Qatar Minister of Administrative Development and Labor and Social Affairs H.E. Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi inaugurated the 7th international conference on “Terrorism and Methods of Tackling It” which was yesterday organized and hosted by Qatar University College of Sharia and Islamic Studies (QU-CSIS).

Organized under the patronage of Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani, the 2-day conference (November 20-21) featured 200 papers presented by researchers and scholars from Qatar, Algeria, Egypt, France, Germany, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and more.

H.E. Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi was joined by QU President Dr Hassan Al Derham, CSIS Dean Dr Yousuf Al-Siddiqi, CSIS Program Coordinator and Head of the conference’s organizing committee Dr Hamed Al-Marwani, CSIS Associate Professor of Islamic Culture and Dawa and Head of the conference’s scientific committee Dr Azzeddine Mamich, as well as officials from QU and Qatar Ministry of Interior (MoI), and CSIS faculty and students. Keynote speaker was Dr Abdul Fattah Moro, Vice President of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People of Tunisia. He presented on “Terrorism: hindrance of thinking and a jump over reality”.

The event’s program featured 4 panel discussions themed “The relationship between terrorism and excessiveness, “The religious culture and its reaction to terrorism”, “Social, political and media dimensions of terrorism”, and “Methods to tackle terrorism”. Discussions focused on a wide range of topics related to religion and terrorism, the impact of western double standards on emerging terrorism, extremeness and terrorism, the impact of ideology on contemporary terrorism, the relationship between media and religious terrorism, and the role of Islamic organizations in addressing terrorism, among many others.

In his remarks, Dr Hassan Al Derham expressed his gratitude to Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani for supporting this conference and QU based on a directive from H.H. the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He said: “Since its inception, QU is keen to find efficient solutions to overcome challenges and barriers for development, stability, and prosperity. This conference highlights the key role of research in providing a better understanding of terrorism from a political, educational, religious, and economic perspective. The fruitful discussions and recommendations that will emanate from this forum will contribute to enhancing our teaching curricula and will help our students understand the facts related to terrorism, Islamophobia, sectarianism, and ethnicity.”

Dr Yousuf Al-Siddiqi said: “We are pleased to gather scholars and researchers from all over the world to discuss the phenomenon of terrorism. This is a timely conference that comes at a time when the Arab nations are facing many political and socio-economic challenges. As Qatar’s national higher education institution, QU plays a core role in providing a platform to address, discuss and resolve contemporary issues such as terrorism, in line with the National development strategy.”

Dr Al-Siddiqi stressed the importance of advancing the learning curriculum to help students understand the changes that occur in the world. Education should be based on an open dialogue to widen the students’ perspectives on various issues and to provide a fair image of Islam, he said, adding, “We live in a small village where any event or conflict may affect everyone. We, at QU, believe in the importance of addressing such conflicts through dialogue. The danger of terrorism is expanding all over the world. Academic institutions are responsible of bringing researchers and experts together to discuss the issue of terrorism. We hope that this conference will contribute to highlighting the role of individuals in promoting peace and security in the world.” 

A large number of students participated in a discussion session with Qatar University (QU) President Dr Hassan Al Derham at the annual “Meet The President” event which was yesterday organized by the President’s Office at QU Ibn Khaldoon Hall. 

The event aimed to engage dialogue with students to discuss matters of concern and interest, and to encourage their participation in university affairs. It was also attended by QU VPs, college deans, heads of departments and programs, faculty and staff. In his opening remarks, Dr Al Derham noted the importance of this annual gathering which aims to enhance the spirit of communication between students and the university. He said: “QU continues to create an exciting and inspiring environment that encourages students’ participation in the learning experience, and in which they can express their views on a wide range of issues related to academic affairs and student services.”

During the event, students asked questions, discussed concerns and commented on a wide range of topics including academic programs and their alignment with market needs, admission and reinstatement policies, parking facilities, cafeteria food and prices, the establishment of a health clinic at the male building, and the provision of emergency vehicles at the university, among many others.

Qatar University College of Health Sciences (QU-CHS) faculty and students yesterday organized and participated in a community outreach event as part of activities to mark World Diabetes Day.

Themed “Eyes on Diabetes,” the event was organized in collaboration with Qatar Diabetic Association (QDA). It aimed to highlight the importance of screening to guarantee an early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and management to reduce the hazard of serious complications. Four booths by QU Health Clinic, QDA, Khulud Pharmacy, and Abbot pharmaceutical company were set up at the Women’s Science Building (C01) – Atrium. At QDA booth, students and visitors were provided with one-on-one counseling, blood glucose testing, brochures about type 2 diabetes and screening program and treatment, and nutritional counseling.

The event also included a lecture on “Do we know enough about Diabetes?” by Dr Buthaina Ibrahim Alowinati, Consultant in Diabetes at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q). It also featured a “blue for breakfast” to highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced diet to prevent the disease, and a campus walk activity to support individuals with diabetes and raise community awareness on the importance of exercise in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Commenting on the event, QU College of Health Sciences (CHS) Dean and Biomedical Research Center (BRC) Director Dr Asmaa Al Thani said: “Type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease and health science advocates should try to raise awareness on how to prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications. This event aligns with our commitment to the healthcare objectives expressed in the National Health Strategy 2011-2016. It also demonstrates QU’s continuous efforts to raise awareness on important health issues and to improve the overall health of Qatari society.”

CHS Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences Dr Nasser Rizk, who is also leading the event, said: “According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) surveys, one in two adults with diabetes is undiagnosed because the disease’s symptoms seem harmless. They include frequent urination, unusual thirst, hunger, and weight loss with frequent and recurrent infections, blurred vision, and tingling and numbness in hands and feet. Therefore, knowing the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes can help with early detection and treatment. Screening for diabetes and its important part of effective management of the disease to ensure optimal health. The complications of diabetes include blindness, kidney disease, and amputations. Additionally, diabetes doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke.”

2^nd-year Biomedical Sciences student Naila Kitaz noted that her participation in such an event has contributed to developing her teamwork and communication skills, and to enhancing her knowledge on diabetes and how to prevent complication.