MOHAMED KHOULAIDI

DOHA QATAR University (QU) unveiled a new structure of its Foundation Programme on Monday. The programme was finalised after a two-year evaluation.

QU Vice-President and Chief Academic Officer Dr Sheikha bint Jabor al Thani outlined details of the new structure which reduces the programme to one year instead of two — starting Fall 2012.

Dr al Thani explained that the new programme was structured on levels one to four, and will be divided into four sessions of nine weeks each. There will also be an additional six weeks summer session, if required.

“The main objective of the programme will be to improve the students’ language and math skills. An intensive English component, to help individual students, also forms part of the new structure. The computer component will be considered as ICT skills and will be integrated into the student learning experience,” she said.

The QU vice-president also said that the programme will be studentcentre and project-based.

“It will focus on creativity, engaging students in tasks and activities that not only sparks their motivation, but are also related to their prospective field of specialisation and to the core curriculum programme (CCP).

The CCP is aimed at promoting skills acquisition and competencies in general knowledge, communication, research, critical thinking, ethics, besides civic responsibility, and appreciation of identity and cultural diversity,” she added.

The teaching technique adopted for the new programme will be interactive, communicative and collaborative, Dr al Thani said.

To achieve this, the class size will be reduced to 16 students (per class) for Levels one and two, and 20 per class for Levels three and four, with the allowed absentee record reduced from 25 percent to 10 percent.

She also said that the students’ duration of study can be shortened, as the new structure has a flexible built-in mechanism that caters to individual learning needs. It facilitates movement from one level to the next based on individual progress, she added.

“The current students will be part of the new structure based on the level they would be moving to at the start of Fall 2012. The new programme does not require student achievement of minimum scores in IELTS or TOEFL proficiency tests,” Dr al Thani said, adding that a pass score of 70 percent in the Foundation Programme will allow students to enroll in their respective college and programme.