Qatar University (QU) has announced the academic accreditation of its colleges of Education (CED), Engineering (CENG), and Health Sciences (CHS) at a press conference.

CENG seven accreditations of its undergraduate programs, in addition three accreditations for its CED and one accreditation of CHS. By achieving this new academic accreditation, the total number of accredited programs at QU increased to 37.

Commenting on this achievement, QU President Dr Hassan Al Derham said: “The new academic accreditation adds value to QU colleges’ numerous achievements. It reflects QU’s commitment to advance the quality of its programs and the level of its graduates, and the university’s ongoing efforts to strengthen links with the industry. Accreditation is a very important process to improve the learning outcomes and to ensure that they align with the needs of the labor market. I applaud the efforts of the deans, faculty, and staff in contributing to this achievement.” CENG was awarded renewal of its five-year accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for seven of its undergraduate programs, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science. ABET accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.

CENG Dean Dr Khalifa Al-Khalifa said: “CENG has started a systematic process to apply quality assurance to all its programs. The college continued its efforts of re-evaluation of its programs and its academic and research goals, in line with the requirements of its accredited status. ABET highlighted in its assessment report the strong links that CENG has built with the labor market, promoting student engagement in local, regional and international activities that develop their skills and capacities.”

CED was awarded a 5-year accreditation by the Specialized Professional Association (SPA)/Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL) for its Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education/English. The College also achieved a 5-year accreditation by the SPA/Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) for its Masters of Education in Special Education (MSPED), and a 5-year accreditation by the SPA/Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL) for its Diploma in Secondary Education/English.

CED Dean Dr Ahmed Al Emadi said: “By achieving academic accreditation, CED reinforces its position as the first national college of education to prepare professional educators who are able to serve the community and meet the needs of the labor market, in line with international standards. This achievement attests to the quality of the educational programs offered at CED and demonstrates the College’s commitment to ensure quality assurance and to provide an optimal learning environment that contributes to shaping the future leaders in the field of education, research and community service.” CHS Department of Human Nutrition was awarded a seven-year accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). The ACEND accreditation has been awarded to three universities outside the United States QU (Qatar), Kyung Hee University (South Korea) and Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico), making QU the first university in the Middle East to achieve this accreditation.

CHS Human Nutrition Department Head Dr Tahra El-Obeid said: “The achievement of the ACEND accreditation attests to the quality of the programs offered by the Department of Human Nutrition and demonstrates their alignment with international standards. This also shows that the College of Health Sciences at Qatar University contributes to shaping nutrition professionals to join the labor market. This achievement also required the intensive development of the department’s study plan and its alignment with the ACEND competencies to graduate highly skilled nutritionists. The developed program includes a one-year practical training to give the graduates hands-on experience and to enable them to join the profession.” CHS Dean and QU Biomedical Research Center Director Dr Asma Al-Thani said: “The achievement of the ACEND accreditation is a testament that CHS Department of Human Nutrition meets the educational standards of ACEND and that it provides its students with the required knowledge, skills, and competencies to join the dietetics profession. CHS continues in its efforts to offer quality education and to graduate highly qualified national professionals who will contribute to advancing the health care sector.

Source: Fana News