Doha: The first batch of doctors graduated from the Qatar University (QU)’s College of Medicine (CMED), recently.
Some 46 students successfully completed the six-year Medical Doctor (MD) program and 17 among them were Qataris.
The College of Medicine aims to make contributions to medical education, patient care, medical research and community outreach and is fully aligned with Qatar’s national strategies in education and health, as well as QU’s strategic plan.
The first batch graduated in the presence of Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Public Health, Sheikh Dr. Mohamed Al Thani; Consultant Cardiologist and former Minister of Public Health, Dr. Hajar bin Ahmed; Deputy Medical President and Director of Medical Education at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal; Chairman of the Joint Working Committee for Ehteraz Implementation, Medical Director at HMC, Dr. Yousef Al Maslamani; and Vice President for Health and Medical Sciences, Dr. Asma Al Thani, with College of Medicine officials, faculty members and alumni.
CMED at QU was founded in October 2014, following an Amiri Directive and a thorough feasibility study as a joint initiative by Qatar University and HMC. It admitted the first cohort of students in fall 2015.
CMED plays an integral part of Qatar University’s Health Cluster (QU Health), where synergistic interprofessional and interdisciplinary efforts of all cluster members come together in the areas of teaching, research, and community outreach; therefore, helping advance knowledge in the field, addressing local and regional challenges, and contributing to population health aligned with the future needs of Qatar.
On the occasion of graduation, Dr. Egon Toft, Dean of College of Medicine said, “Today, the dream of graduating the first batch of the first national medical college in Qatar has been fulfilled. Since the opening of the college in 2016, we have been striving to achieve our goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 to graduate qualified doctors for the renaissance of the country.”
Dr. Hamda Ahmad H A Al Thawadi, Assistant Professor of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine said, “I congratulate our dear students on their success and graduation from the College of Medicine. We are proud of you and confident that your ambitions will continue to grow and develop the health sector in Qatar. I also congratulate my fellow professors for this achievement in graduating the first batch of doctors from the College of Medicine at Qatar University. This achievement is the culmination of efforts that continued for years until reaching this precious moment.”
On graduation ceremony students shared their sentiments of successfully graduating from Qatar University. Dr. Fatima Saoud Al Mohannadi, a graduate said on this occasion, “The College of Medicine offered me a supportive educational environment and a positive atmosphere that has allowed me to become the self-directed learner, the active researcher and the clinically skilled doctor that I believe I am today. It is an honour to be a member of the first batch that were taught and trained by both the first National Medical College as well as the national hospital.”
