Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education Science and Community Development, has appointed Maryam Hamad Al-Mannai as its new Vice President of Students Affairs. Previously, Al-Mannai held senior positions at Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMU-Q).
Al-Mannai, who was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award in Student Relations by Texas A&M University in 2010 for her efforts in helping students fulfill their true potential, commented on her new position: “By providing students with an enriching academic and cultural environment, in addition to a multitude of opportunities to build their leadership skills, HBKU’s Student Affairs team aims to inspire students to be our effective and ambitious ambassadors.
“I believe our students share an objective to work towards Qatar National Vision 2030, and it is a privilege to be able to help prepare them for their professional lives as they navigate how best to use their knowledge and skills to contribute to society.”
Throughout her distinguished career, Al-Mannai has shown a deep commitment to providing students with holistic education that is not only focused on the academic achievement, but also prioritizes personal growth and development. It is this approach to learning that makes her an ideal fit for HBKU, where she will be primarily responsible for student life, career development and community outreach, taking an active role in ensuring that the community is fully aware of the university’s key initiatives and academic programs.
“I hope to help nurture the students of HBKU in their growth and development, assisting them in making their dreams a reality and becoming strong pillars that can support the growth of Qatar,” she said.
Al Mannai previously developed the Community Relations Program at TAMU-Q and at HBKU she plans to build similar new programming to accommodate the needs of HBKU’s rapidly expanding student body. As part of her new role, Al Mannai recently oversaw the successful Education City Career Fair, which was held at the HBKU Student Center and brought together around a hundred employers from across Qatar with students from HBKU and its university partners in Education City.