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The pursuit of knowledge is a journey. It requires an unquenched desire to constantly ask questions and seek answers through years of research, study, discovery, and self-reflection. Every year, people around the world choose to embark on this journey and become scholars at universities, where they are provided with a safe space for open dialogue, cutting-edge facilities for research, exceptional resources to support their professional growth, and an intellectual community to drive their educational endeavors.
A select group of over 250 such students will join Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) this year to begin their academic adventures. As a leading research university, HBKU prides itself on providing students with a rich and vibrant environment that is conducive towards the pursuit of knowledge across all of its diverse multidisciplinary programs on offer. From innovative programs in the sciences, such as Genomics and Precision Medicine, to regional leading programs in the liberal arts, such as the Digital Humanities and Societies, the University focuses on adhering to its core values of maintaining excellence by exceeding the expectations of its students in all areas.
Hailing from over 45 countries, and diverse geographic, political, cultural and economic backgrounds, these students bring a unique worldview to HBKU. But what unifies them all is their thirst for knowledge, commitment to learning, and passion for discovery. These aspiring learners are the next generation of leaders in health and medicine. They are the innovators, entrepreneurs and future leaders in science, technology and sustainable energy. As the students begin their studies at HBKU, they will play a crucial role in raising the community’s social, cultural, and political awareness, and will be instrumental in driving transformative changes in our society. The students all come with grand expectations and ambitious goals.
“I would like to work on research projects associated to cancer and neurological disorders,” said incoming PhD candidate Safa Salim. The Biological Sciences graduate from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar is looking forward to working on ground-breaking research with experts from HBKU’s Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI). Salim said: “the aim of conducting research in order to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases affecting the region highly resonates with me. I am positive that I will be able to greatly contribute to this aim, and simultaneously be able to successfully complete my PhD.”
Collaboration is a cornerstone of HBKU and incoming students can expect to work closely with the University’s national research institutes – Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), and Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) – in addition to renowned global institutions based in Qatar Foundation’s Education City campuses. These include Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Georgetown University in Qatar, and Northwestern University in Qatar.
Naela Mahmoud, an incoming student at HBKU’s new Master of Science in Genomics and Precision Medicine
program at the College of Science & Engineering (CSE), comes from a medical and pharmaceutical background. “Through my experiences as a health professional, I have developed a keen interest in research, the study of personalized medicine and patient focused healthcare,” Mahmoud said. Speaking about her expectations of her time at HBKU ahead, she says, “Being a part of a world class institution, I am looking forward to working closely with HBKU’s three research institutes towards achieving my goal of serving the scientific and medical community upon graduation.”
Dr. Khaled B. Letaief, HBKU provost, said: “We provide our students with excellent opportunities to conduct pioneering research. Through the University’s many grants, numerous awards, easy access to our state-of-the-art research institutes, and the ability to work with our network of global partners, students can tailor and chart their own course of research suiting their academic passion and professional interests. By doing this, our goal is to ensure that we have a generation of innovative and entrepreneurial professionals who will fuel Qatar’s knowledge-based economy and the world.”
Incoming students also expect a vibrant and diverse community, which plays a very important role in ensuring the holistic development of HBKU students both internally and externally. Diversity is one of HBKU’s many strengths. Every year, the University strives to ensure that there is a distinct group of highly competitive students who join the colleges’ various programs; highlighting the institution’s commitment to maintaining an environment that is a crucible of different cultures and ethnicities.
Afghan student, Osama Dari, brings with him a strong professional background in media research and digital media, having served on the field, across government and education sectors. Dari says that “HBKU’s academic reputation, well-known faculty, interdisciplinary approach and state-of-the-art facilities is what drew me to studying here.” The incoming Master of Arts in Digital Humanities and Societies student added: “Having had three of my close friends graduate from HBKU in the past years, I have learned that, in addition to the academic and research environment, the University’s relationship with the students is built on a strong foundation that will live-on for a lifetime.”
Naela Mahmoud, Osama Dari, and Safa Salim will soon embark on their challenging, yet rewarding, journey in the pursuit of knowledge at HBKU like so many before them did, and, without a doubt, many more will follow in their footsteps in the years to come. The only question is: Will you be embarking on your journey in the pursuit of knowledge with us? If so, you now know what to expect.
Learn about the various HBKU programs here.