QU hosts annual orientation event for new faculty

Qatar University (QU) yesterday concluded its two-day Yahala Academic Orientation for new faculty. The annual event was organised by the office of the vice president and chief academic officer. The new faculty members were welcomed by QU president Prof Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad, vice presidents Dr Omar al-Ansari (student affairs), Dr Hassan al-Derham (research), and Office of Faculty and Instructional Development director Dr Dalal Moukarzel. Prof al-Misnad urged the new faculty members to allocate time in their academic responsibilities for interactive social, research and community service activities. Dr al-Ansari provided an overview of the distribution of undergraduate students by College, explaining that in Fall 2012, 45% of students are at the College of Arts and Sciences, 19% College of Business and Economics, 5% College of Education, 17% College of Engineering, 6% College of Law, 6% College of Shari’a and Islamic Studies and 2% College of Pharmacy. Dr al-Derham noted that Qatar is entering a transitional phase to achieve a knowledge-based society, hence, establishing a strong research infrastructure is one of QU’s main objectives. “In this regard, we established a number of initiatives, programmes and centres to support the country’s research endeavours such as the Environmental Studies Centre, the Centre of Advanced Materials, the Gas Processing Centre, the QU Mobility Innovations Centre, and the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute. Other centres are under development such as the Research Complex, KINDI IT and research laboratories, a Centre for Traffic Studies, and the Biomedical Centre,” he said. Commenting on the event, new College of Education faculty Dr Lana Bibi said: “I spent 14 years in the US and had many concerns regarding cultural differences I expected to encounter in Qatar.  The orientation helped me to better understand Qatari culture while orienting me on the academic syllabus, grading policies, attendance and final exams.” Law professor Dr Chris Evers said: “The orientation helped me to know more about the techniques of maintaining my work track during the academic year. It was a very beneficial exercise.” From GT