Business & Finance Group - Education - DOHA: The Community College of Qatar (CCQ), the first facility of its kind in the country and the region, will open its doors to students in September.

The Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary General of the Supreme Education Council, H E Saad bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, yesterday announced the launch of the new college.

The college will initially offer a two-year associate degree, equivalent to a diploma, in a range of subjects that are critical to the economic growth of Qatar as well as the Qatarisation of jobs.

The college will enable students to pursue a course of study that will prepare them to either enter the workforce or transfer to another institution to complete a bachelor’s degree.

It will offer an educational path for learners of all ages, backgrounds and interests.

In the selection process, priority will be given to Qataris, who will be offered the courses free of cost. Expatriates would also be accommodated in limited numbers and for a fee that is said to be “reasonable” though it has not been finalised.

CCQ is slated to open in September at a remodelled college building on the C-Ring Road, across the way from the American Hospital, with an expected initial intake of 300 students.

“The launch of the Qatar Community College comes within the framework of sound scientific planning to meet the country’s educational needs as it is aligned with the goals of an integrated, student centred education system catering to the needs of students from kindergarten to university,” said Saad bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, addressing the media yesterday.

“The college will provide a recognised certificate; expand academic options; groom students to enter the labour market or continue their study to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

“It also provides short intensive and specialised training courses to meet labour market needs. The college has a supportive learning environment, provides interactive learning, has a flexible admission policy and is free for Qataris,” said Dr Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, chairman of CCQ Steering Committee.

Dr Judith M L Hansen, the newly appointed dean of the CCQ said the college would fulfil needs for working students to advance in their profession and for college graduates and professionals to enroll in courses for new knowledge in their job.

Hansen brings with her a rich academic career and the experience of working with several reputable community colleges in the US. CCQ will provide associate degrees in science, arts, technology and applied sciences and certificates and specialised courses for short-term information and professional update.

The applicants will take a test that will help in placement in classes that match their ability. CCQ students will take both foundation courses and university-level courses at the same time, if their academic tests recommend their ability to do so, explained Hansen.

Beginning in June, students will be able to begin registration for testing and orientation on a first come, first serve basis. With an initial enrollment of 300 students, CCQ plans to grow to 1,500 students in three to five years. It also plans to move into permanent premises at a later phase.

The college also offers courses known as dual enrollment classes, to earn a high school and college credit at the same time. Students who did not go to university straight from high school and now wish for a chance to qualify can begin at CCQ. Many students can study technical or trade programs to gain specialised skills before or after entering the workforce.

Initially, the CCQ will offer two-year university transfer and technical Associate degree programmes. These programmes are not available at any other institution in Qatar. After the first year, the college will begin offering Associate Degrees in fields such as construction engineering, surveying technology, finance and communications/media.

For students seeking a Bachelor’s degree, credits can be transferred to a four-year university, such as Qatar University and Education City universities.

“We plan to seek accreditation for the courses from universities in Qatar and abroad, including the prestigious South States accreditation in the US. We have also plans to offer evening classes for working adults,” said Hansen.

CCQ is the first full-fledged community college in the region. There are similar colleges in Riyadh and Dubai but they are satellite campuses of foreign universties, she added.