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Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) today welcomed its incoming cohort of over 330 students this fall to its five Colleges - College of Islamic Studies (CIS), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), College of Science and Engineering (CSE), College of Law and Public Policy (CLPP), and College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS). Following Qatar’s progressive strides in the education sector, HBKU has quickly become a sought-after graduate destination for both local and international students.
HBKU’s Head of Enrollment Nasser Al-Binali said: “Prospective students are attracted by the multidisciplinary nature of our degree programs, which are purposefully designed to offer a wholesome educational experience that transcends traditional one-track degree options. In addition to world-class facilities and faculty, incoming students become part of a fast-growing and innovative learning community.”
Covering a wide range of disciplines, HBKU offers 26 degrees that cater to Qatar’s current and future market needs. Each college provides a specialized learning experience that is enriched by cross-departmental opportunities in the areas of research, learning and collegial support. Incoming CHLS PhD student in Genomics and Precision Medicine Sara Taleb said: “As I was nearing the completion of my master’s degree, I was delighted to find that a homegrown educational institute like HBKU that offers a globally minded educational experience. In recent times, Qatar has witnessed the launch of several mega healthcare industry-related projects, and I am eager to become part of a growing community of professionals who diligently work to provide real-life solutions with everyday applicability.”
Similarly, Aisha Al Kuwari, an incoming student in CIS’ Master of Arts in Islam and Global Affairs, commented: “I am excited to dedicate my graduate years to an immersive journey into modern Islamic scholarship through a multidisciplinary lens that draws on the collective expertise of HBKU’s world-class faculty, facilities and global opportunities. Owing to an innovative national development directive in the field of education and research, this unique program brought a world-class learning experience to our home in Qatar. Ultimately, I am certain that this diversely applicable degree will elevate my professional prospects in the academic sphere as well as across a broad spectrum of Qatar’s continuously growing industry sectors.”
Housed within Education City – a national hub for knowledge and innovation – HBKU’s reputation for impactful research outputs and high-level graduate education bloomed out of the University’s four founding pillars: Excellence, Innovation, People and Partners.
Commenting on his decision to pursue his postgraduate education at HBKU, Ghanaian national Abdul-Jalil Ibrahim, who is joining CIS' PhD in Islamic Finance and Economy, said: "Previously, as a graduate of the College’s Master in Islamic Finance, I already experienced the state-of-the-art facilities along with the internationally reputable faculty and unique academic environment. Therefore, HBKU’s strong PhD program offered a natural progression for my continued academic journey as part of a memorable graduate learning experience.
“My personal research interest centers on the role Islamic venture capital plays within the framework of Qatar’s national growth and development aspirations through a significant contribution to policy reform, aimed at bridging of the gap between theory and practice in the field of Islamic finance," he concluded.
Thuraya Lutfi, an international student from Sudan, commenting on her decision to pursue her Juris Doctor degree at CLPP, said: “I was inspired by HBKU’s strong reputation as a regional center for education as well as Education City’s unique model. In addition to the proximity to my own home country, Qatar stood apart from other graduate destinations also based on the fact that its location in Education City meant that I was part of a safe and vibrant community. During my time at CLPP, I particularly look forward to the program’s scope which spans diverse legal systems, including civil, common, and Sharia. I think this type of degree will open more doors across the MENA region as well as internationally.”
HBKU’s growing global trajectory has contributed to an international demand towards Qatar as an attractive graduate destination as is evident by the number of different nationalities currently present on campus. The University’s world-class research institutes - Qatar Computing Research Institute, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, and Qatar Biomedical Research Institute generate a strong profile of research outputs, which are well-represented on a global scale through the student and faculty’s ongoing visibility at international conferences, publications or academic events.
With the 2018-19 academic year around the corner, HBKU’s student population continues to embody values of inclusivity and excellence. A distinctive balance of teaching excellence and industry awareness continues to inspire young graduates to seek a unique learning experience at HBKU, as it positions itself as one of the world’s most prestigious higher-learning destinations.