Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar University (QU) celebrated the first full accreditation for the College of Medicine, demonstrating a significant milestone that represents national excellence aligned with international standards.
The College of Medicine received the accreditation from the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Medical Education Programs (TEPDAD). The accreditation serves as a testament to the immense efforts put forth by the college in line with the national goals of the State of Qatar, particularly the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The TEPDAD accreditation is a fundamental step towards developing a robust health care system and graduating highly qualified doctors capable of contributing to the health care field.
In his opening remarks, QU President Dr Omar Al Ansari said, "It is my pleasure to express my pride and joy for the College of Medicine at Qatar University on achieving its first full accreditation. This accreditation reflects Qatar University’s commitment to the quality of education it provides to students. We emphasise that this recognition and accreditation are an addition to a larger system that the university highly values, especially in the field of health sciences and medicine, as well as other colleges of the university.”
He added, "Qatar University has been actively engaged in the academic accreditation process for a long time, with most of the university’s programmes receiving the third or fourth cycle of academic accreditations. These accreditations serve as a neutral voice that narrate the quality of education and work undertaken by the university, indicating that what the university offers meets the desired standards.”
Dr Ansari pointed out that such accreditations constitute a starting point and the minimum requirement for what academic units offer, adding that academic units at the university that have received accreditations are still required to continue developing, improving and excelling in what they deliver.He thanked the team that carried out this work and the effort exerted by the College of Medicine to obtain this accreditation.
Prof Marwan Abu-Hijleh, dean of the College of Medicine, said: "This day marks a significant milestone in the history of Qatar University as we celebrate the full accreditation of the College of Medicine for a complete six-year term. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering that the establishment of this college is only eight years old. This outstanding accomplishment is not just a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and students but also a recognition of our commitment to innovative leadership in medical education.”
He added, "When we embarked on this journey eight years ago, our vision was not only to create a medical college that meets the highest standards but also surpasses the boundaries of traditional teaching methods. We aimed to establish a college that not only produces doctors but nurtures individuals with a deep understanding of medical sciences, cultivates critical thinking skills and instils a continuous dedication to patient care.
"Accreditation is not just a formal stamp; it is a strong acknowledgment of the integrity and quality of our medical education programme at Qatar University’s College of Medicine. Beyond being a seal of approval, it reassures our students, their families and the community that our institution surpasses the set standards for medical education. Moreover, it is not merely a local recognition but an indication of our alignment with national and international standards, significantly contributing to the global improvement of medical education.”
Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, deputy chief medical officer and director of Medical Education, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), noted that the College of Medicine’s accomplishments were remarkable by any standard, particularly for being a relatively young college, having received its first students less than a decade ago.
The accreditation, he said, helps find areas for improvement and stands as a testimony to the public and community that the College of Medicine meets the highest and most rigorous standards.He noted that the college made a deliberate choice to learn from its international peers, developed itself and asserted its credibility, while at the same time aligning with international standards, quality and integrity.
Professor Iskender Sayek, president of TEPDAD, said via video message: "Thank you to the College of Medicine for the collaboration with TEPDAD in accrediting the undergraduate medical education program. It was a great pleasure for us and a great honor to collaborate with you. I wish the College of Medicine great success and continuous quality improvement.”