Key Suppliers of Qatars Higher Education Sector - Research Paper Example

6 AppendiCES: (1250 words Key Suppliers (WHO’S WHO IN H.E Please include: comprehensive listings/ data tables Higher Education s2. Government Educational organisations 3. Relevant research or private organisations 4. Principal ministry contacts for HE 5. Study Abroad or Education Travel Agents in Country Useful information for each might include: A contact person in each including at minimum a telephone number and URL link) For institutions: the location, academic strength, student numbers, accredited courses, distance learning programmes, year established and an institution profile. Details of any existing collaborative arrangements or partnerships with other international institutions either at departmental, faculty or institutional level. UseFUL WEBSITES Key Suppliers of Qatar’s Higher Education Sector Appendix: Key Suppliers of Qatar’s Higher Educational System Principal Ministry Contacts for Higher Education In Qatar, the Supreme Education Council (SEC) is the governing body that sets policy for educational levels prevailing in country. The education sector is basically classified into three layers; first level is known as primary education which comprise of schools, second is known as secondary education level which includes all colleges in country and top level is higher education that is known as tertiary education in which universities are placed. The Council was founded by Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani along with his wife, SheikhaMozahbintNaseer Al-Missnad. All education related matters are handled by this Council and has even directing and controlling power to make decision from primary level to higher education level. It recently initiated Education for a New Era Reform with the aim of restructuring education system of the country (Supreme Education Council, 2012). However, education controlling power is shared in between Supreme Education Council and Ministry of Education; since funding to the Ministry is reduced to a greater extent, majority of schools, colleges and universities are under the control of the Council. The main aim of this Council is to offer its assistance to citizens so that they are encouraged and motivated to acquire higher education. Similarly, private institutions and foreign universities are being attracted to increase education level and offer varying degrees of programs to students that are compatible with job demands in the market (Coughlan, 2012). It has been given complete responsibility for designing of educational polices and also oversee its reforms; the Evaluation Institute has power of undertaking student assessment on periodical basis to provide details about performance of schools and the Education Institute assists in development of Independent Schools that are new and design curriculum standards that enhance education quality. In order to have access to information about the Council, the most effective way is to either call on their telephone lines, post a letter on P. O Box 35111, Doha, Qatar, Communication Office, Phone:  Hot line 155 - 44044564 - 44044567- 44044371 - 4044370, fax on their number 44044571 - 44044572 or email to concerned official on info@sec.gov.qa. More detailed information about contacting personnel in various departments are as follows: Name of Department Concerned Person Contact Information Higher Education Institute of SEC Mr. Ahmed Al Ganahi Acting Director Phone: 4560700 Fax: 4270492 Email:aljanahi@sec.gov.qa Advising and Career Development Center of SEC Fawzia Al Naimah Director Phone: 4560714/5 Fax: 4270596 Email: info@sec.gov.qa Scholarship Office of SEC Ali A. Al Bunain Director Doha, Qatar Phone: 44560745/6/7/8  Fax: 44270594 Higher Education Institutions (Government and private organizations) When students graduate from their high schools or colleges, they are willing to get instant accessibility to universities from where they can acquire their further education. With the advent of time, course curriculum needs to be updated and universities have to ensure that they offer programs that are demanded by students so that they are able to help a country in achieving its economic and social goals (Khodr, 2011). The Higher Education Institute of Supreme Education Council realizes its role of developing higher education standards in accordance with today’s constantly changing and competitive global environment; it is enabling youth of Qatar and everyone in country to make a prospering career by developing vast range of knowledge and skills. In order to help Qatar’s youth in acquiring relevant education, the Higher Education Institute is through various scholarship programs. The primary aim of these programs is to help youngsters in pursuing higher education and motivate their morale while helping them get ready for challenges that they will have to face when they enter the practical work environment (Dome of Infinity, 2012). Some of the programs are developed in such a way that students acquire education along with their jobs so that they can made advancements in their careers in appropriate way. In order to meet university requirements of students, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development has developed Education City which has been constructed on Doha’s outskirts, Doha is capital of Qatar, that covers area of about 14 km2 and offers various educational facilities to students from primary school to university level. There are even some top ranked Universities in this educational hub and it aims to be the central point of excellent in entire region so that students of Gulf Cooperation Council region can be provided top quality education (UNDP, 2012). Besides all these international universities, there is one university “Qatar University” which is the national university in this region. It is recognized for creating an environment which allows free exchange of ideas, debates in respectful manner, open door communication and promise of allowing precision in inquiry. It is offering graduate and undergraduate programs that are of exceptionally high quality which produces students who are competent, well skilled and determined to boost Qatar’s image. Currently, University constitutes about seven colleges i.e. College of Law, College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Pharmacy, College of Business and Economics, College of Sharia and Islamic Studies and College of Engineering (Supreme Education Council, 2012). Education City is considered as the forum where universities are inclined to share their research and enhance relationships with both public and private sectors institutions and businesses. In this City, there are six universities of US, one of UK and one French university. Here are some details about these universities: Name of University Year of establishment Degrees offered Partnerships Contact Information Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar School of the Arts (VCUQ) 1998 Four years Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design, painting, fashion design or graphic design and also two years Masters of Fine Arts in Design Studies Founder of Middle East Design Educators Association (MEDEA) in 2008. VCUQatar is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Mona Mohammad Balidaie e-mail: mmohammed@qatar.vcu.edu Tel: (+974) 44020524 General Inquiries: e-mail: info@qatar.vcu.edu  Tel: +974 4402 0555  Fax: +974 4402 1489 Mail: P.O. Box 8095 Doha, Qatar Weill Cornell College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) 2001 Pre-medical program for two years that leads to four years medical program and then finally Doctor of Medicine degree Qatar Foundation, Supreme Council of Health, SIDRA, Hamad Medical Corporation, NewYork-Presbetriyan Hospital e-mail: nma2005@qatar-med.cornell.edu  Tel: +974 4492 8656  Fax: +974 4492 8444  Mail: P.O. Box 24144, Doha Qatar  Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) 2003 Undergraduate level degrees in electrical, mechanical, petroleum and chemical engineering Qatar National Food Security Program, the Ministry of the Interior, BP and RasGas Dr. Bruce R. Palmer Interim Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies e-mail: bruce.palmer@qatar.tamu.edu General inquiries: e-mail: info@qatar.tamu.edu  Tel: +974.4423.0010  Fax: +974.4423.0011  Mail: P.O. Box 23874, Doha, Qatar Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) 2004 Undergraduate level degrees in computer science programs, information systems and business Cornell University and Qatar Foundation Yazan Abu Hijleh, Academic Assistant e-mail: ug-admission@qatar.cmu.edu  Tel: +974 4454 8400  Fax: +974 4454 8410  Mail: P.O. Box 24866 Doha, Qatar  Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Qatar) 2005 Four year Bachelor’s degree in foreign services Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Science, Qatar Foundation and Center for International and Regional Studies e-mail: SFSQadmissions@georgetown.edu  Tel: +974 4457 8100  Fax: +974 4457 8241  Mail: P.O. Box 23689, Doha Qatar Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) 2008 Degree programs in communication and journalism Qatar Foundation Mounir Ouanaimi, Director of Admissions Phone: 445-45079 General Inquiries: e-mail: nu-qadmissions@northwestern.edu  Tel: +974 4454 5000  Fax: +974 4454 5180  Mail: P.O. Box 34102, Doha, Qatar  HEC Paris 2011 Executive degree programs for executives who are either in their mid career or at senior level positions Qatar Foundation Management and Education Research Center (QF-MERC). Wissam El-Kadi (Middle East, East and Central Asia) e-mail: info@hec-q.qf.org.qa Tel: +974 4454 0161 University College London in Qatar (UCL-Q) 2011 Postgraduate degrees in conservation, museum studies and archaeology Qatar Foundation and Qatar Museums Authority Mr Brett Kershaw e-mail: b.kershaw@ucl.ac.uk Tel: +974 4457 8688 General Inquiry: e-mail: info@ucl.ac.uk Tel: +974 4457 8680 Mail: UCL Qatar, PO Box 23689, 2nd Floor, Georgetown Building, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar. Qatar University 1973 Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language, Sociology, International Affairs, History, Mass Communications, Social Work and English Literature & Linguistics. Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Human Nutrition, Biology, Statistics and Biomedical Sciences. BBA in Management, Finance, Accounting and Marketing. Bachelor of education in Primary and Secondary Education. Bachelor of Law. Bachelor of Pharmacy. Bachelor of Architecture. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Industrial & Systems Engineering. Bachelor of Sports Science. Bachelor of Sharia and Islamic Studies in Dawa and Islamic Studies. Union of Arab Universities, League of Islamic Universities and International Association of Universities General Inquiry: e-mail: info@qu.edu.qa Tel: (+974) 4403-3333 Mail: Al Tarfa, Doha 2713, Qatar. Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies 2007 Master of Arts in Islamic Studies with specialization in Contemporary Fiqh, Master of Arts in Public Policy in Islam, Master Science in Islamic Finance, Master of Urban Design and Architecture in Islamic Studies, Master of Arts in the study of contemporary Muslim Society, General Diploma in Islamic Studies, Diploma in Public Policy in Islam and Diploma in Islamic Finance. Qatar Foundation e-mail: admission_qfis@qfis.edu.qa Tel: +974 44546599 – 44546588 – 44546557 e-mail: qfisinfo@qfis.edu.qa  Tel: +974 4454 6600  Relevant Research and other research organizations In order to boost economy’s performance, it is important that there are research institutions that are willing to make valuable contributions for its growth in both local and international level. The first research organization was created in 2006 by the name of Qatar National Research Fund with the aim of providing support to country in creating knowledge-based economy. The areas of research conducted by it are Physical and life sciences, Humanities, Social sciences, Arts, Engineering and Technology and Medicine. Further details about QNRF and other research institutions are provided below: Name of Research Organization Year of establishment Area of Research Contact Information Qatar National Research Fund 2006 Physical & life sciences, Medicine, humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Engineering & Technology e-mail: info@qnrf.org  Tel: +974 4454 8063  Fax: +974 4492 7096  Mail: Education City, P.O. Box 5825, Doha Qatar Qatar Science and Technology Park 2009 Environment, Information & Communication Technologies, Health Sciences and Energy e-mail: info@qstp.org.qa  Tel: +974 4454 7070  Fax: +974 4454 7011  Mail: Education City, P.O. Box 5825, Doha Qatar Sidra Medical and Research Center 2012 Medical Education, Biomedical Research and Patient care e-mail: info@sidra.org  Tel: +974 4404 2000  Fax: +974 4404 2001  Mail: P.O. Box 26999 Doha, Qatar RAND-Qatar Policy Institute 2003 Education & Arts, Health & Health Care, Law & Business, Children & Families, International Affairs, Public Safety, Science & Technology, National Security, Population & Aging, Energy & Environment and Terrorism & Homeland Security Tel: +974 4454 2500  Fax: +974 4454 2508  Mail: P.O. Box 23644 Doha, Qatar Qatar Computing Research Institute 2012 Core Computing and Multidisciplinary Computing e-mail: info@qcri.org Tel: +974 4454 2340 Fax: +974 4454 0630 Mail: Al-Nasr Tower A 21st Floor Doha, Qatar Qatar Cardiovascular Research Center 2011 Cardiovascular e-mail: info@qcardio.org Study Abroad or Travel Agents in the Country Following is the list of travel agents who should be contacted when students are willing to study abroad: Name of Travel Agency Address Phone Number Principal Agent E-mail Address/Website Overseas Travel Bureau Al Emadi Financial Square, Building #2, Almuntazah Intersection, C-Ring Road, P.O. Box 22165, Doha, Qatar  Tel: +97444995700 Fax: +97444995701 - - Lawand Education-Doha No.23 West Corner Centre, Midmac Bridge, Salwa Road, Doha, Qatar Tel: +97444581745 Abe Zakhem doha.edu@lawand.com International Travel & Tourism - Doha Azizia Commercial Street, Azizia Commercial Complex, Doha, 4381, Doha, Qatar Tel: +97444432234  AbdelrahimShehab and MotazRefaat mrefaat@ittqatar.com  www.ittqatar.com EduAid-Doha P.O.Box. 200248, Doha, Qatar Tel: +974 3349 28 37  Fax: +971 6 536 24 12  KaziAhsan www.eduaid.net Qatar Learning Center and Consulting – Doha Villa 11, Zone 56, 455 Al Resoom St., Doha, Qatar Tel: +97444500037  Fax: +997444500038  FatenAlkuwari, Lulu Sangil and Sameera Al Sulaiti www.qatarlc.net Al Qayed Travel and Tours – Doha D Ring Road, Doha 158,Doha, Qatar Tel: +9744072244  Fax: +9744072100  AmeenSaduk ameensaduk@hotmail.com  www.alqayedtravel.com Other Useful Websites Name of University/Institution Website Qatar National Research Fund http://www.qnrf.org/ Qatar Science and Technology Park http://www.qstp.org.qa/ Sidra Medical and Research Center http://www.sidra.org/ RAND-Qatar Policy Institute http://www.rand.org/qatar.html Qatar Computing Research Institute http://www.qcri.org/ Qatar Cardiovascular Research Center http://www.qcardio.org/ Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar School of the Arts (VCUQ) http://www.qatar.vcu.edu Weill Cornell College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) http://qatar-weill.cornell.edu/ Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) http://www.qatar.tamu.edu/ Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) http://www.qatar.cmu.edu/ Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Qatar) http://qatar.sfs.georgetown.edu/ Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) http://www.qatar.northwestern.edu HEC Paris http://www.exed.hec.edu/locations/qatar University College London in Qatar (UCL-Q) http://www.ucl.ac.uk/qatar/ Qatar University http://www.qu.edu.qa/ Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies http://www.qfis.edu.qa References Coughlan, S. (2012, June 8). Why is Qatar investing so much in education? BBC News.com. Retrieved September 22, 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18151511 Dome of Infinity (2012).Higher Educational Policies in Qatar. Retrieved September 22, 2012 from http://the-dome.net/?page_id=150 Education (2012).Researching Virtual Initiatives in Education. Retrieved September 22, 2012 from http://www.virtualcampuses.eu/index.php/Qatar#gumax-bottom Khodr, H. (2011). The Dynamics of International Education in Qatar: Exploring the Policy Drivers behind the Development of Education City. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, 2(6), 514-525. Nasser, R. (2012). The breadth and depth of foundation courses in Qatars only public institution of higher education.Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 4(1), 42-57. doi: 10.1108/17581211230621. Supreme Education Council (2012).Supreme Education Council. Retrieved September 22, 2012 from http://www.english.education.gov.qa/ UNDP (2012).Expanding the Capacities of Qatari Youth: Mainstreaming Young People in Development. Retrieved September 22, 2012 from http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/national/arabstates/qatar/Qatar_NHDR_EN_2012.pdf Read More