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Tribune News Network
Doha
QATARI engineering students enrolling at Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq) posted significant improvements in their mathematics knowledge and skills through Pathways for Retention in Engineering Program (PREP), according to examination scores at the conclusion of the program.
Overall, the students improved their exam scores by an average of more than 40 percent from the beginning to the end of the program, reflecting the success of the initiative.
The PREP course, which ran from July 31 to August 11, was taught by Dr Sandra Nite of Aggie STEM and the Department of Mathematics at Texas A&M's main campus in College Station, Texas, the USA.
PREP is part of the Dhia: Engineering Leaders initiative, a partnership between Tamuq and longtime collaborator Maersk Oil Qatar. It aims at helping young Qataris choose and succeed in educational pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
PREP was designed for incoming freshmen who sought to improve their math skills before starting university engineering studies. The program comprised intense instruction in math topics such as functions, trigonometry, linear systems and mechanics.
However, as Nite explained,"It's more than just getting them through that placement exam. We want to really give them the foundation they need to be successful throughout the engineering mathematics sequence."
Nite also commented on the progress that the students have made, noting,"They have been improving and getting a better idea of the underlying work concepts that they were doing."
In addition to the math course, the students took academic success seminars designed to enhance their study skills and habits, while also introducing them to the numerous on-campus academic resources they will have at their disposal.
Alreem al Hajri, an incoming student in chemical engineering, shared the same sentiment."This program will not only improve our math scores but also give us an easier time adapting to the university atmosphere," Hajri said, adding that she appreciated the opportunity to adjust to an English-speaking school at the university level.
Hajri further said,"At first, I was terrified of going to university, but now after the program, I feel much more relaxed and prepared. I know that when I begin classes with other professors, I will know what they are talking about and understand the way they speak."
Nite said she was happy to have experienced teaching students in Qatar."I enjoyed seeing them to talk and describe things they have learned," she said."It's always fun to be able to see students pick up on something or see a gap that gets filled."
Hajri said it was important for them to participate in this program, adding that PREP helped her remember many important math concepts. She also said they enjoyed Nite as instructor, saying that she helped them think out of the box and was always available to answer questions or give extra help when needed.
"I think every freshman who has the opportunity to take this course should take it," Hajri said.
