JOSEPH VARGHESE

DOHA TEXAS A&M University in Qatar (TAMUQ) has launched a new initiative for “lifelong learning”.

Termed ‘Quality Enhancement Plan’ (QEP), the programme encourages students to make learning a lifelong exercise, instead of confining it only to the years of conventional education.

The new initiative is part of the University’s efforts for all-round development of students under the title, ‘Aggies Commit to Learning for a Lifetime’.

This seeks to empower students to develop skills, knowledge and attitudes that will promote lifelong learning. The University has adopted a similar initiative along with its home campus, Texas A&M University, in College Station, Texas, the US, as part of its re-accreditation process. It is also making the initiative its own through events and activities such as the Aggies Commit Festival set to be held at TAMUQ on Wednesday.

The festival will feature booths where students, faculty and staff members will demonstrate innovative ideas of “learning throughout their life”.

Dean and CEO of TAMUQ Dr Mark Weichold said, “Texas A&M Qatar has always been committed to promoting a culture of lifelong learning among its students and residents. It has continued to highlight educational courses, graduate studies programme and public lectures, among other initiatives. The introduction of QEP will encourage our students, faculty and staff members to follow the concept of lifelong learning.” Dean Weichold said that the University’s students, academic programmes, office of research and graduate studies, department of student affairs and operational units will continue to be involved in dialogues and activities that seek to discover what learning for life means to them.

“We look forward to the educational opportunities this initiative will give to students, faculty, staff members and other community members in the future,” he added.

Dr Todd Kent, assistant dean for academic affairs and QEP committee chair for the campus, said, “Though the students spend years pursuing a degree, they only gain a part of the knowledge in their lifetime. The skills involved in ‘learning how to learn’ will not only serve our students throughout their college life, but also continue to develop after graduation.”