Ailyn Agonia
DOHA
HAMAD Bin Khalifa University of Qatar (HBKU) attracts the best students from the different international universities within the Education City as well as interest from around the world, said Mohammed al Salat, Admissions Specialist at HBKU.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of the HBKU Orientation Day held on Sunday, the official said there has been an increase in the number of applicants and students each year at HBKU. For the Academic Year 2018-2019, HBKU welcomed 332 students made up of 49 nationalities with a Qatari student enrollment rate of 42 percent.
"Since the start of the University, there has been an increase in the number of applicants and students each year. With the six new programmes launched between two colleges of HBKU, the College of Islamic studies and College of Science and Engineering, we got more students coming in. We also have the College of Law and Public Policy providing the degree of Juris Doctor which is the first of its kind graduate law degree in the MENA region. So, we have a lot of interests coming from all around the world," Al Salat said.
He added that HBKU, a homegrown university, offers a wide array of opportunities to students and professionals who are keen on furthering their studies and expertise. And as a research university, he said the pillars of HBKU are based on innovation, excellence and partnership.
"We try to provide the best environment and state-of-the-art facilities or even programme of studies in order to equip the graduates who can be leaders in the future," said Al Salat.
The Orientation Day set a tone for the returning and incoming student, faculty and staff members, who came together for a full day of informative sessions, which introduced them to the University's framework as well as the institution's objectives for the upcoming year. Among the faculty members who welcomed the batch is Dr Dalal Aassouli, Assistant Professor at the Islamic Finance of HBKU's College of Islamic Studies. She is part of a pioneering group of instructors that will deliver the new degree offers.
"We are excited and happy to be welcoming our students to start a new challenge and exciting year. It is one of the young university and one of the most dynamic one in the region and also globally. I am a new faculty member and this is also a good opportunity for me to meet the students and to introduce our programmes for them."
"The new programme launched by the College of Islamic Studies this year on Islamic Finance and Economy is a landmark programme because it is unique in its kind. It is based on global sustainable development goals, the Qatar National Vision 2030 pillars and also it equip the students with all the creative thinking and innovation that will enable them to serve their economy whether they will continue in public sector or whether they would like to pursue an academic career afterwards," said Dr Aassouli.
Adam al Saadi, director of Community Outreach and Student Relations, also warmly welcomed the students and reiterated the diversity of the batch as well as the various opportunities available to them from a research-based university like HBKU.