Discover Education City Annual Admissions Campaign Kicks Off in Qatar

As part of its mission to equip a new generation of Qataris and young people in the Gulf region to become future leaders of a knowledge-based economy, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development announced the launch of its annual “Discover Education City” admissions campaign. The announcement was made at a press conference held in the Atrium of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar.

Education City was established by Qatar Foundation, with the aim of promoting excellence in education in the region. The innovative programs and rigorous curricula at Education City aim to unlock the potential in the region’s youth, helping to lay the groundwork for a sustainable post-carbon future. Education City offers a synergistic environment where students can share facilities, cooperate on research projects, and forge relationships with businesses and other organizations in the public and private sectors. It is home to campuses of six internationally renowned universities: Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar and Northwestern University in Qatar. Each one of the universities in Education City has been hand-selected to offer its top programs to students in the Gulf region.

Peter Chomowicz, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs at VCUQatar, opened the press conference launching the campaign: “Known for its culture of diversity, collaboration and innovation, Education City provides a unique setting for students and the universities here continue to make our mark on education.” Dean Vanstone emphasized the commitment of the universities at Education City through their expanding curricula, as well as interactive opportunities to further enhance the student experience.

The admissions campaign includes informational events for prospective students, their parents and school counselors in Qatar and the region. The series begins with “Discover Education City-Qatar”, a university fair in Doha on October 6 at 6pm at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. After Qatar, the campaign will travel to Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The events will raise awareness of the academic programs offered at its universities and the Academic Bridge Program, the admissions process and the vast resources available at Qatar’s Education City.

The program in each city includes school visits, a counselor event, and a college fair. Representatives from all six of the universities will be at the events to explain about admission requirements and how applications should be prepared in order to maximize the opportunity for admission. Current students, alumni and parents will provide first-hand accounts of their own special Education City experience.
Speaking at the press conference, Abdulla Al Binali, Career Services Coordinator at Qatar Foundation said: “The purpose of “Discover Education City” is to provide students, their parents and the community with information about the universities, the student experience and of course the admissions process. We seek to provide as much support and information we can to students and their families in order to help them to make informed decisions and to understand the requirements in terms of the admissions process.”

“Discover Education City-Qatar” starts the annual local recruiting efforts for Qatar Foundation. In addition to the university fair, Qatar Foundation and the universities in Education City spend much time during the year working with school counselors and educators in Qatar providing the tools, training and support necessary to foster student learning through focused programs and workshops. Visits to secondary schools around Qatar are scheduled to meet with students, parents and administrators to inform them about Education City and the admissions process. Programs have also been developed in cooperation with the universities to develop the students and prepare them for the transition to the rigorous academic challenges they will face at Education City.

The curricula and grading standards at the universities at Education City meet the high standards of the degrees delivered at the home campus in the United States. Ms. Noha Saleh, Director of Student Recruitment for Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar said: “All of the universities in Education City seek well-rounded, motivated students who want to pursue their higher-education studies in a highly innovative academic environment. We have made significant strides over the past several years in expanding our range of available courses and educational opportunities, and today we launch another effort to reach more students in Qatar and the region who will thrive in our rigorous learning environment.”

Also speaking at the press conference were Mohammed Al Haddad and Mariam Al-Meer, who are currently enrolled at Education City. “Through the Qatar Foundation family, my fellow students and I are able to build a network with people from some of the country’s most innovative projects in education, research, business, technology, health and community development through internships at progressive organizations, professional days and distinguished lectures,” said Mohammed Al Haddad, Carnegie Mellon Qatar class of 2012. “It goes without saying that such opportunities help make the transition from graduation to starting a career that much smoother.” Mariam. Al-Meer, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Class of 2012, agreed: “At Education City we are being equipped with the knowledge and leadership skills to help us in our future – through practical application of our studies in state-of-the-art facilities to undergraduate research experiences. I feel I am getting a top education here, close to home and family.”

For more information on the events and the six universities in Education City, log on to www.myeducationcity.com.