CCQ Begins

CCQ Begins

Saturday, November 13, 2010

CCQ Press Conference

CCQ courses ‘recognised world over’

By Ourouba Hussein



Dean Hansen and steering committee chair Ibrahim Saleh al-Nuaimi at the press briefing yesterday

The newly-established Community College of Qatar’s (CCQ) courses are internationally certified and will allow the students to join any university in Qatar or abroad to complete their bachelor degrees, a top CCQ official said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters, CCQ steering committee chair Ibrahim Saleh al-Nuaimi said that the college had three different programmes, an Associate in Sciences or Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Applied Sciences, as well as Work Advancement or Employment and Certificates or courses for training and personal development.

He explained that after obtaining the Associate in Science degree, students can further study to obtain their Associate in Applied Sciences degree, which now offered business and computer technology programmes.

“The associate in science or arts degree allows the students to register in any university in the world as a third year, while the associate in applied sciences degree allows them to go directly to work”, he said.

The third programme, he said, offered courses for employers to provide upgrading or improving the skills of their employees, or re-train for a totally different field.

“We are talking to Qatar Petroleum and RasGas and we will be visiting in October all corporations in Qatar to offer our services”, he added.

CCQ dean Judith Hansen said that the college was the outcome of two years of work to establish a place to improve the Qatari participation in the workforce to reach the 2030 vision.

“The college officially opened its doors for orientation last Sunday and the classes started on September 26”, she stated.

She explained that CCQ has begun its first academic year with 305 students.

“A total of 1,330 candidates had taken the placement test but two-thirds of them preferred afternoon and evening courses”, she said, adding “in January we are going to launch evening classes for the working students and we still have another 2,000 students on the waiting list, who still haven’t taken the placement test and need some orientation”.

Hansen explained that the college was accepting only Qatari students, however, the future plan was to include non-Qataris also.

“What is good about CCQ is that we have small classes, a comfortable personal relationship with professors, whereas every class has an average of 20 students, so they have an opportunity to learn”, she said.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

CCQ Pioneers

Press Release from Qatar:


A total of 304 students, including 184 females, started their classes yesterday at the Community College of Qatar (CCQ), the first of its kind in the region.

The CCQ will provide three internationally-recognised degrees: Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), and Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS).

Associates degree holders will be able to either join the labour market or continue their university studies in one of the universities in Qatar or abroad in order to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

“The historic first day of the Community College of Qatar sets a new future for our Qatari students and Qatar,” Dean Dr Judith Hansen said.

She described the CCQ as the first nation-wide community college in the world, a global Qatari model of higher education success.

The first day showed commendable organisation and preparations which were reflected in the separation of male students from females at the entrance and the classrooms. Students’ names were listed and classrooms were numbered to achieve easy and comfortable opening.

“I have benefited from the lecture and I am enjoying the study and will complete all the curricula,” said Issa Abu Jassoum, a student who had just completed his first lesson in English language.

Abu Jassoum expected a bright future at the college as it provided educational opportunities that were not available anywhere else and prepared them to obtain a BSc degree. Abu Jassoum is interested in computer science studies.

Many other students shared Abu Jassoum’s opinion.

They expressed their appreciation to the teaching staff for their efforts and co-operation with them.

Munirah Ali al-Thani said: “The college provides a variety of educational options and helps us enhance our skills and abilities and increase our knowledge.”

Munirah said she had completed the secondary classes and obtained good results in the entry tests but did not meet the requirements of the university and was therefore unable to continue her studies.

She said that the CCQ’s flexibility made it the best solution for most of the students who are sitting at home without education.

Some students chose to attend the CCQ straight from high school while other students are working adults who take classes to advance in careers or to change fields.

To ensure graduation of qualified students, the SEC has signed a five-year partnership service agreement with Houston Community College where the latter will provide qualified staff and faculty, and develop a curriculum designed specifically for Qatari students.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

CCQ classes to begin on September 26

Gulf Times
07/09/2010


The Supreme Education Council (SEC) yesterday announced that the Community College of Qatar (CCQ) will begin its first class on September 26 at the West Bay Campus.

The CCQ has finalised the list of 300 full time students for the first batch based on the applications received. Orientation workshops are to be conducted between September 19 and 24.

“The first of its kind in Qatar and the region, the CCQ allows students to pursue a course of study that will prepare them to either enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year institution to complete a Bachelor’s degree” CCQ Steering Committee chair Dr Ibrahim al-Naimi said. “Students will be able to earn a certificate or two-year Associates degree in a select number of fields critical to Qatar’s economic growth,” he explained.

CCQ dean Dr Judith Hansen described the launch of the College as the opportunity of a lifetime for many to contribute to the thriving economic growth of Qatar toward Vision 2030.

The ultimate goal of the CCQ is to provide education for everybody therefore those students who were tested but not enrolled will be notified of waiting list for enrolment in subsequent semesters.

Those who signed up online and have not taken the ACT Compass test will be tested in October 2010. Students planning to take the test for the first time or retake the test are advised to visit the ACT Compass website – http://act.org/compass - for practice tests.

“More full time and part-time working students credentialed are ready for enrolment as we grow into our C-Ring Road Campus beginning January 2011,” added Dr. Hansen.

The CCQ will provide three internationally recognised degrees: Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), and Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS).

They will allow holders either to join the labour market or to continue their university studies in a university in Qatar or elsewhere in order to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

The 2-year AA Degree coursework includes core Social Sciences, Communications and Humanities courses with support Sciences and Math courses consistent with university freshman and sophomore coursework for majors in the Arts, Communications and Humanities.

The 2-year AS Degree coursework includes core Sciences and Math courses with support courses in Communications, Social Sciences and Humanities consistent with university freshman and sophomore course for majors in the Sciences and Math. CCQ is seeking articulation of the AS Degree curriculum for transfer of successful graduates to university studies as third year students.

Qatar Migration Background

Hundreds attend orientation on the Community College of Qatar

Supreme Education Council Press Release

Date: 19 September 2010

The Community College of Qatar held an orientation meeting for 309 new students including boys and girls at the presence of the Community teaching faculty and staff. The orientation meeting will continue until the 24th of September 2010 at the Community College at Dafna. The meeting aims to brief the students about the college, the curriculum, the staff, the courses, and the opportunities provided for them through their years of study. In addition, the college has provided the required guidance and direction for the students which will ensure their continuation in the college and maintain their success.

Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naimi, the chairman of the Community College Steering Committee welcomed the students informing them that the meeting represents a remarkable and unique milestone in the history of Qatar. He congratulated the students on their enrollment into the Community College which plays a major role in the development of the nation.

Al Naimi reiterated that the college offers 2-year degree courses and three accredited diplomas in Humanities, Science, and Technical applications like communications, administration, engineering, and banking. He added that the diploma holders may join the labor market or continue further in higher education in the best universities in Qatar or abroad.

The college offers short training certificates and programs to meet specialized labor and industry requirements. This, he said, will enhance the sustained development of the country and achieve the Qatar national vision 2030. Dr. Naimi stressed on the importance of accurate attendance by the students and urged them to maintain their timetable, accept the challenge, and be reliable. He confirmed that without the support of His Highness the Emir, the college would not have been established. He also praised Qatar University and all the institutions which helped in the existence of the college.

In addition, Al Naimi mentioned the partnership between the Community College of Qatar and Houston Community College (HCC) which will provide educational opportunities in accordance with international standards. HCC curricula has been created to suit the educational requirements of Qatari students. The partnership will enhance excellent opportunities and broaden the educational options for the students who will benefit from international experiences.

He confirmed that the college will achieve a group of objectives for the students like continuing their higher education in a number of US universities, Qatar university, and the Education City Universities.

On her part, the Community College Dean, Dr. Judith Hansen also welcomed the students and praised their educational excellence and their will to continue education.

"I am proud of you and we are here to achieve the vision of His Highness the Emir and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Misnad."

She also praised the support of H.E. the Minister of Education, Secretary general of the SEC which he extended for them to achieve their objectives. She explained the courses the college will offer and hoped that all students will have opportunities to join the college.

The College academic advisers and directors gave presentations about the importance of identifying their visions and objectives and become self reliant and responsible.

In an interview with the students to measure their satisfaction with the college, they jointly agreed that the orientation meeting was satisfactory for them and they praised the officials at the college for their efforts. Some ladies considered the college a bright future for them with its flexible system as it has saved them from worrying about passing the TOEFL and IELTS tests which were obstacles in joining university education. One parent said the college is the dream of every Qatari family wishing their children to study among their families and in their own country.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Community College in admission pledge

Gulf Times
June 10, 2010

The Community College of Qatar (CCQ) will accommodate all applicants willing to study at the college regardless of the initial plans to admit only 300 students in the first year.

“Our plan is to meet the educational needs of all categories of students and we are ready to offer admission to anyone who knocks at our door,” the college’s dean Judith Hansen and project director Ibrahim al-Naimi told Gulf Times in an interview yesterday. Hansen said that the institution had received thousands of applications during the open house held recently, but said that about 1,000 had signed up to take part in the placement tests and orientation programme