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At a special event organized by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), male high school students from across the country were told by a senior government leader that they have a duty to play a part in building a knowledge-based economy in Qatar, and that higher education offers the key to enabling them to do this.
Speaking on February 23rd at the first HBKU Schools Day targeting boys from independent schools, Dr. Khalid Al-Horr, Director of the Higher Education Institute, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, strongly urged his young audience to think towards the future and to utilize the exceptional opportunities available to them at HBKU and across Education City, which are aligned with the needs of the country, and to focus on what they are good at and what they enjoy.
The Schools Day was attended by more than 500 male students and showcased the diverse academic programs on offer at universities located within Education City. Dr. Al Horr, who was the keynote speaker at the event, emphasized to the assembled students that the future of Qatar was theirs to shape.
Addressing the students he said: “Be assured that the programs offered at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and its partner universities within Education City are fully aligned with the needs of the State of Qatar. I therefore encourage all of you here today to listen carefully to what is being shared with you and consider which subjects you enjoy learning about and are skilled in, in order to best position yourself for future career success.”
Maryam Hamad Al Mannai, Vice President of Student Affairs at HBKU, who spearheaded the Schools Day initiative, also spoke at the event, which allowed students to meet and interact with representatives from HBKU and its partner universities: Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, and Northwestern University in Qatar. The high school students were encouraged to visit booths set up by each university to find out more about undergraduate study.
Al Mannai commented: “It is a pleasure to be able to host the Schools Day event at the HBKU Student Center in collaboration with the Qatar campuses. Although each university differs in terms of the programs offered, each plays a role in building a vibrant, inclusive, and ambitious culture within Education City.”
“There are limitless opportunities for young, innovative Qatari students at HBKU and its partner universities. I hope the Schools Day event motivates students from Qatar’s independent schools to recognize the ways in which a university degree can shape and influence their career paths, and that this event inspires them to start thinking about the steps they need to take to one day in order to make their dreams a reality.”
At the event, the high school students watched a short film featuring the Class of 2015 from across Education City before hearing from current undergraduate students, who shared their thoughts on life as part of the Education City student community, highlighting their experience both inside and outside of the classroom.
Mohamed Al-Horr, a freshman student at HBKU, told the assembled high school students about what inspired him to pursue a degree in computer engineering. He noted: “My passion is computers. From a young age, I had fun exploring technology. HBKU gave me an opportunity to pursue this passion, while enabling me to build a career out of this interest.”
“I’m inspired by my father who works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I see his success and how much he does for his family, and this motivates me to work hard. I want him to be proud of my efforts to help Qatar and change the world.”