Officials and students during the orientation session for the new intakes.
Doha, Qatar: Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) held its Student Orientation Programmeme for a record number of incoming students. Held August 19 to 21 at the Minaretein and Manufactury in Education City for new undergraduates and postgraduates, the event also provided an opportunity to welcome returning students back to campus.
Orientation marked the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year, introducing 974 students, including 308 undergraduate and 666 postgraduate students, across HBKU’s 48 innovative programmemes. These align with the five focus areas that inform Qatar’s economic, social, and technological development: Precision Health; Artificial Intelligence; Progressive Education; Sustainability; and Social Progress.
The new academic year also sees the university launching its School of Economics and Management (SEM), offering the Master of Science in Economics programmeme to address a critical field in the development of Qatar’s economy, as well as the future needs of the labor market in both the public and private sectors.
Provost Dr. Prabhat Hajela said: “We are proud to welcome our latest cohort of undergraduate and graduate students. This promises to be a remarkable academic year for our university as enrollment numbers grow and academic programmemes expand across several disciplines. HBKU will empower them to pursue the future they envision. Research and innovation are our strengths, and students understand the practical and positive impact these factors have on their education. I am confident that they are joining an incredible community, and a remarkable experience awaits them here.”
University leadership and staff were on hand to acquaint the students with campus life and academic expectations. The deans of HBKU’s six colleges - College of Islamic Studies; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Science and Engineering; College of Law; College of Health and Life Sciences; and College of Public Policy and undergraduate department heads offered advice to new students, highlighting the university’s inclusive and high-quality research and education ecosystem.
The incoming set also includes 303 Qataris, bolstering the university’s track record of contributing to the country’s national human development efforts by offering future generations the opportunity to excel in their chosen fields.
Vice President, Student Affairs, Dr. Maryam Al-Mannai said, “Hamad Bin Khalifa University is dedicated to enriching students’ academic and extracurricular experience. As we break new ground by expanding our programmemes and welcoming more students, we remain committed to fostering an immersive environment that encourages academic excellence, professional development and personal growth. Today marks the beginning of their educational journey, an opportunity to interact with peers and explore the HBKU landscape. I encourage our students to make the most of this experience to shape their futures.” As a member of Qatar Foundation, HBKU strives to empower students and engage alumni by developing skills and competencies through diverse,
