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Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) celebrated the commencement of the Academic Year 2018-19 with the University’s Orientation Day which was held on Sunday, September 2, 2018. This year, the University welcomes an incoming cohort of 332 students made up of 49 nationalities with a Qatari student enrollment rate of 42 percent.
The annual event 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. The attendees further learned about the University’s main mission, vision, pillars and values, which serve as important guidelines for the graduate experience at HBKU as they gained an understanding of the experiences of Yousef AlJaber, a College of Science and Engineering alumnus and a Class of 2016 graduate.
Following his laudatory remarks to the incoming cohorts, President of HBKU Dr. Ahmad M. Hasnah said: “Within HBKU’s community, each individual is integral to the continued success of the institution. As we mark the beginning of the academic year at HBKU, we welcome both new and returning students who will go on to become innovative leaders in their own right and address the challenges we will face tomorrow.”
“It is our hope to create a journey of transformative growth for our students and to help them find a place within the tapestry of graduate life. The teachers, peers, and friends they meet here today will undoubtedly become valuable connections for life.”
The event explored an array of academic, social and professional development opportunities at HBKU before concluding with academic breakout sessions organized by each of its five colleges – College of Islamic Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, College of Law and Public Policy, and College of Health and Life Sciences.
This included outlining available support structures which range from IT services to academic writing and research support, as well as the University’s e-library. Students also renewed their commitment to upholding the HBKU Code of Honor and Academic Integrity and discussed the importance of communal inclusivity both within the University as well as Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.
This year, the University is notably marking an expansion of its curricular offer with the launch of six new degree programs across a variety of disciplines that cater to Qatar’s business world. HBKU’s College of Islamic Studies added a Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism; a Master of Arts in Islam and Global Affairs; and a PhD in Islamic Finance and Economy. Similarly, the College of Science and Engineering’s new degrees include a Master of Data Analytics in Health Management; a Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management; and a PhD in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
HBKU is guided by Excellence, Innovation, People and Partners – four founding pillars that reflect a directive of continuous advancement at the highest international level through the support and inclusion of strong stakeholders, partners, employees, and researchers. Ultimately, these principles join together into a uniform formula for the educational contribution to the nation’s grand challenges.
HBKU continues to raise a new generation of entrepreneurial, research-driven minds whose academic and professional contributions will be a testament to its institutional excellence. Furthermore, their outputs across all domestic industries will support Qatar’s development as a self-reliant nation whose home-grown industries and talents underscore its place within the global market-economy.