HH Sheikha Moza takes part in open discussion at Qatar University

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HH Sheikha Moza takes part in open discussion at Qatar University


Doha, Qatar, 29 April 2012

During a visit to Qatar University (QU) today, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser took part in an open discussion with members of QU’s leadership, college deans, select faculty members and students on issues of national interest.

The visit, led by QU President, Dr Sheikha Abdulla Al-Misnad,  provided an important opportunity to discuss such issues as the strategic role of QU as the country’s national university, its research and development activities, the collaborative relationship between QU and Qatar Foundation and the recent decree from the Supreme Education Council (SEC) stating that Arabic should be the official teaching language of the university.

The visit also included a short tour of QU to view recent infrastructure developments on campus and a briefing by QU students to Her Highness on two important QU projects.

During the open discussion, and after first expressing deep pride in being a graduate of Qatar University herself, Her Highness highlighted QU’s key role in contributing to the National Vision and its commitment to preserving the country’s national identity and intellectual and cultural heritage.  Her Highness also pointed to the important accomplishments the university has achieved, and is continuing to achieve since its inception, acknowledging the thousands of leaders and graduates prepared by QU who now contribute to the country’s progress and development.

Her Highness noted the importance of the relationship between QU and Qatar Foundation and that it is based on integration - two national institutions with shared objectives and a commitment to collaborate with, and support, all of the country’s educational, research and training institutions, especially in the area of research. With research as a national priority towards developing a knowledge-based economy, QU, along with the branch campuses in Education City, are committed to this national strategy.

On the recent SEC decree on Arabic as the official teaching language of QU, Her Highness discussed the importance of the Arabic language in reinforcing national identity.  She encouraged the university to continue to work on advancing the students’ skills in English by offering various programmes for this purpose, and noted that English proficiency should be mandatory upon graduation rather than upon admission.

Law students also outlined details of the Domestic Violence programme to Her Highness and discussed the recent development in which they are in the process of drafting a law on domestic violence for submission to Qatar’s national policymakers.  The programme was the subject of recent interest following the first Domestic Violence Awareness Day organised by the students in which they delivered presentations to QU and community members on the psychological, social, economic, and legal aspects of domestic violence.

The students also discussed the Domestic Violence Clinic Course which was recently incorporated into the College of Law curriculum and which includes 20 female and 6 male students.