Qatar University (QU) began its new students’ orientation exercises yesterday. The objective is to familiarise new students with the university, its programmes, resources, facilities, services, academic and extra-curricular activities, and rules and regulations. New male students of the College of Engineering were welcomed by dean Dr Mazen Hasna and QU Foundation Programme director Dr Mohamed al-Naemi. Referring to the increase in the number of students this year, Dr Hasna said this was due to the need for competent graduates who will shape the future of Qatar. The new Foundation Programme and undergraduate students took part in the full mandatory day event and were acquainted with the wide range of services offered at QU. They included academic advising, Banner, Blackboard, library, counselling, student learning support, special needs, financial aid, text books, transportation, cafeterias, student clubs and other activities.   Advisers were on hand at information booths to provide students with brochures and other materials and to respond to queries and concerns about student life at QU. Students received academic advising and course selection recommendations and completed online registration for their respective classes. They were also given a tour of the campus and its facilities and later attended a lunch to get better acquainted with their colleagues and college faculty members. New male and female students from the colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business & Economics, Education, Engineering, Law, Pharmacy, Shariah & Islamic Studies, and the Sport Science Programme, will participate in similar orientation exercises which will continue until September 13. Last Sunday, orientation exercises were held for 65 new international students from 35 different nationalities who are enrolled at QU in several undergraduate and graduate programmes and the Arabic Programme for Non-native Speakers (ANNS). QU section head of international students Huda Dabbour said the main purpose behind organising this event is to ease students’ transition to a new academic environment, a new home and a new country. “It is also to assist them with any personal, financial, immigration and housing questions or issues and gives them the chance to get involved in the community at QU and the wider society.” The students were given translated versions of the Holy Qur’an to enhance their understanding of Islam and Islamic culture and religion. They were given information material about Qatar to familiarise them on life in Qatar, and finalised procedures to obtain residence permits, QU ID card, health card and banking services. The new students also registered for their respective courses and learned about the various scholarships offered by QU to students from the Islamic world and other countries as well as short scholarships for study in the ANNS programme. From gulftimes