DOHA: Qatar University’s (QU)newly-opened College of Medicine is preparing to welcome the first batch of students by September of this year, and the admission process has already begun.
More than 500 students have applied for 50 seats in the first academic year, of a high quality MD six-year programme, a press statement issued by the University. The College is known by its abbreviated name, QU-CMED.
Many students have already applied following various outreach activities by the college to engage prospective students and their parents. This marks another phase in the College’s progress since its establishment in October last year.
The need for Qatar-trained physicians and medical professionals was highlighted by the Minister of Public Health H E Abdullah Al-Qahtani as one of the key challenges in advancing the healthcare sector here, in line with the human development pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030.
He said: “As we prepare to welcome the first cohort of students by September 2015, I would like to assert the Ministry of Health’s commitment to supporting and encouraging Qatari students admitted to the college in any way possible, including providing full student sponsorship with monthly salaries from their first year at the College and throughout their education.”
QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad had announced earlier this week that the university has accomplished a host of timelines that demonstrate its readiness to welcome the first batch of QU’s future doctors this Fall.
Vice President for Medical Education and Dean of the College of Medicine Dr Egon Toft noted that since its inception, the College has organized a myriad of activities to attract high-school students through several online campaigns, schools visits, and participation in career fairs on and off campus.
The College also recently organized an orientation event hosting 200 prospective students and their parents to learn more about the College, its program and curriculum, and to articulate their expectations and concerns.
Dr Toft also referred to QU’s recent initiative of early conditional admission to attract applications to undergraduate programs from high-achieving secondary school students.
A recent CMED Steering Committee meeting showcased the level of progress made—the physical building is on schedule, College leaders and faculty members have been recruited, student applicant numbers exceeded expectations (over 500 to date and growing), and the study plan and curriculum are being finalized. Outreach activities have been successful, engaging a wide spectrum of the society and engendering positive public and media interest.
Prof Al-Misnad said: “We are pleased to have guidance and support from current and former leaders and members from international medical schools.”
The College International Advisory Board includes current and former leaders of medical schools at Stanford University, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, American University of Beirut, University of Sharjah and leading agencies such as the US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), among others.
At the steering committee level, the College engages national leaders in healthcare and education, including the PHCC and HMC Managing Directors and several key HMC members such as the Chief of Scientific, Faculty and Academic Affairs, Deputy Chief of Medical Education, Head of Trauma and Vascular Surgery, and others.
The Peninsula
