New students who are embarking on a journey of learning and discovery at universities within Qatar Foundations globally unique education ecosystem have learned about what awaits them – as they gathered at Marhaba, the gateway to their Education City experience.
The event, organized by Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Student Life team, held at Multaqa (Education City Student Center), brought together students who are starting their academic experience at QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University and partner universities to learn about life at Education City, the experiences and opportunities that await them, and what it means to be part of the QF community.
At Marhaba, the 700 new students who attended were given an insight into how the higher education system at QF offers them an experience, and range of possibilities, that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. With Education City being home to many world-class universities, students can cross-register for programs offered by universities at QF other than the one they are studying at, as well as gaining real-world research experience, participating in community and sports activities, and exchanging knowledge, ideas, and stories with students from different backgrounds and who have different specializations and goals.
During Marhaba, a panel discussion saw current QF students and QF alumni share their own experiences at Education City, while offering advice to their newest peers, with sessions also featuring students who shared their opinions and ideas on issues such as climate change, lifelong learning, promoting health and wellbeing, and sustainable development and equality.
The students’ panel discussion, and a discussion featuring deans and faculty from universities at QF was moderated by Michael Trick, Dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar – one of QF’s partner universities – who said: “students admitted to one of the universities at Education City are part of the larger Education City community of diverse opportunities.” Director of Student Life at QF Dr. Mohammad S. Al Kuwari said that studying at Qatar Foundation is a life-changing experience, adding that it supports student growth and opens the possibility to connect with like-minded students from diverse backgrounds to establish lifelong friendships and strong networks.
“Marhaba is the gateway to the new journey that these students are now starting. They begin with getting connected to fellow students from Hamad Bin Khalifa University and different QF partner universities, and with the resources that the environment has to offer, through an experience that is full of fun, full of learning, and customized to them,” he added.
Through exploring Marhaba, QF’s new influx of students were also able to find out about the services and resources that QF provides to support them during their university journey – and immediately begin making new connections with their peers from the different universities that are all housed at Education City.
Source: Qatar News Agency