The Scene
A group of 21 journalism students from QU, American University of Cairo and universities across the US had the opportunity to participate in lectures by QU faculty and the US Ambassador to Qatar, and to make visits to traditional sites and development projects; Civil and Architectural engineering students presented their graduation design projects in final examination; and QU Engineering Chair received increased funding from QatarGas.
The journalism students participated in a 10-day study visit program organized by QU's Department of English Literature & Linguistics and the American University of Cairo (AUC).
The group included 3 from QU, 6 AUC and 12 from University of California at Berkeley, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Syracuse University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Washington State University, University of Maryland, University of Missouri, Arizona State University, Columbia University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of Texas-at-Austin.
This is the second year the program is in existence which provides Gulf, Middle East and US students with an outlook on Middle East politics, religion, culture and journalism.
During the visit, the students participated in lectures by QU faculty -- "Education Reform in Qatar" by Dr Mickie Mathes, "Consumerism and the City in Contemporary Qatar" by Prof Andrew Gardner, "Women in Islam" by Dr Aisha Al-Mannai, and "Oil, Technology and Conflict" by Dr Moneera Al-Ghadeer. They also attended a lecture on Gulf-Iranian relations at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Qatar. Site visits to Al-Jazeera studios, Souq Waqif, the Islamic Museum, Qatar Foundation, and The Pearl were also part of the students' itinerary.
A lecture/discussion on Gulf-US relations was held at QU with the US Ambassador to Qatar H.E. Joseph Le Baron on June 10. The ambassador gave his address in Arabic to the student group and had an open discussion with them on the speech made in Cairo recently by US President Barack Obama, and other issues concerning the US, the Gulf and the Middle East. Also attending the lecture were QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al-Misnad, Dean of the Department Dr Moneera Al-Ghadeer, faculty and staff.
Commenting on his visit to QU, the ambassador said, "It is critically important for me to be here to listen to what the students have to say. They are the future".
Head of the Department of English Literature and Linguistics Dr Moneera Al-Ghadeer said: "This QU-AUC program was a success last year -- the feedback from all the students was positive. As before, the visiting students are keen to know more about the region and along with their QU counterparts are gaining a better understanding of the importance of inter-cultural dialogue and their role in contributing to changing misconceptions on both sides. The Department is pleased to be part of this process".
The students travel to Cairo on June 17 for an additional 10-day visit where they will be involved in similar activities reflecting on the Middle East and Gulf region.
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Qatar University's architectural engineering students took part in an examination presentation event of their Design Studio 3 projects as part of their final graduation projects. The two-day event was organized by the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering of the College of Engineering (CENG).
Seventeen students presented group projects on the design of the Doha Business and Tourism Village (DBTV), a complex comprising a hotel, shopping mall, and centers for recreation and entertainment, conferences, and community activities.
The projects were "Al-Liwan Project" by Bara'ah Al-Nisf, Hanan Al-Ramahi, Maha Al-Khalifa and Tamader Al-Malki; "Al Saif Project" by Asma Al-Thani, Balsam Abu Nada, Bothayna Abbara and Shorok Abdoh; "Pearl Project" by Aisha Al-Mutawa, Mai Essam, Noora Burkashisha and Reen Al-Suadi; and "Lagoon Village Project" by Reem Al-Okka, Aya AbuSaud, Maha Al-Mashtoly, and Fatima Al-Sulati.
The projects were judged by external examiners from the industry -- Dr Ashraf Yousef Ibrahim, Ashghal; Dr Alex Amato, Davis Langdon; Dr Malika Bourinane, Arab Engineering Bureau; and Eng Ahmed Zakaria Ahmed, Rooya for Urban Development.
Head of QU Civil and Architectural Engineering Department Dr Nasser Al-Nuaimi said: "This project is part of the Capstone design course. Through their presentations, the students exhibited their learning experience in site analysis and design and their ability to integrate their studies into the technical production of the design. They also showed strong teamwork skills and ease with presenting and communicating details of their projects to an expert jury panel".
Commenting on the event, Dean of Engineering College Dr Mazen Hasna said: "Through the uniqueness of the program at QU, our architectural engineering students continue to show their motivation and commitment to making a contribution to their society. They understand the needs of the industry and the community and are keen to use the skills and knowledge they acquired here at the College to advancing the spirit of the Qatar National Vision 2030. We are proud to have guided them through their academic life and are assured that they will succeed in the industry".
Twenty-six male civil engineering students made presentations of their graduation design projects on June 14 and 15.
The students were Mohammed Tawfik Madhoun, Abdulrahman Abu Hajla,Fahad Nabeel Farhan, Abdullah Subaih Alrawaily, Haytham Adnen Sadek, Mohammed Salim, Rakan Marwan Amro, Iyad Bakdachi, Tarek Ziad Albardawil, Talal AlHababi, Talal Al-Obaidly, Mohammed Al-Aqaily, Abdullah Al-Shawi, Abdulla Al-Meer, Nayef Ibrahim, Abdelazizi Mustafawi, Khamis Al-Kuwar, Omar Zainal, Shaheen Ghanem, Ahmed Odeh, Abdelkader Sarhan, Saoud Al-Ansari, Defallah Hoban, Saoud Al-Hajri, Abdulla Al-Kaabi, and Youssef Fakhro.
They presented group projects on designs such as QU Library, The Pearl, The Palm, Doha Convention Center, office towers, shopping mall, and residential buildings.
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Dean of College of Engineering (CENG) received a cheque from Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, Chief Operating Officer Engineering and Ventures at Qatargas in a ceremony on June 11.
This followed an announcement that QatarGas will increase its annual financial support for the QatarGas Chair at the university.
The academic Chair, established in 2004, is in the Department of Chemical Engineering with a focus on the gas industry, including research and student training. | |
