Meriam Jelliti
Doha
The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has announced the introduction of eight new programmes aimed at meeting market demands and fostering economic growth in Qatar and beyond. The new programmes include a Bachelor’s degree in marine engineering, smart manufacturing engineering, software engineering and midwifery. This is in addition to a post-diploma Bachelor in Midwifery, a Master’s programme in sustainable tourism management, a post-graduate diploma in interprofessional neonatal intensive care, and a post-graduate diploma in STEM/TVET education. These programmes are now open for admission for the Fall 2023 semester.
Dr Salem Al Naemi, president of UDST, said: “As an applied education university, we need to predict the skills needed in the future. We must incorporate students into our programmes and work closely with industries to ensure that we provide students with hands-on experience. This way, once they graduate, they will be equipped to meet the needs of the community.”
He also emphasised the continuous efforts of UDST in providing a world-class education that gives students real-life experiences and prepares them to lead the careers of the future. “We are pleased with our increasing number of students, which has reached 7,000 so far. We are also happy to see that the new generation and their parents have become more aware of the importance of applied education. Our students learn in simulated environments and have the opportunity to experience the professional world through our partner networks. It is through a critical and integrative learning experience that UDST develops graduates with employable skills.”
Al Naemi said that all UDST programmes have the primary focus on professional education. For example, Marine Engineering is the first-of-its-kind programme in Qatar and is in line with the tremendous growth in the gas sector. “Therefore, we believe that our programs and our vision at UDST align with the needs of the job market and keep pace with the financial, technological and energy sectors.”
He added, “We have constant coordination with many stakeholders, employers and decision-makers in the country, in addition to the field studies that determine the needs of the country for specialisations. As the technology is rapidly evolving, our focus is on the skills required today and in the future.”
The UDST explained the uniqueness of some of its programmes, shedding light on every aspect of them. The marine engineering programme is the first, occupationally dedicated undergraduate programme in Qatar and exclusive to the UDST. While the programme meets international standards and accreditation, it relies on a customized curriculum to answer local needs, codes and practices in Qatar, particularly related to LNG shipping. The marine engineering programme will support the mega expansion of LNG production and shipping in Qatar.
The smart manufacturing engineering programme is also unique and a necessity in a rapidly evolving economy and will prepare students to integrate high-level skills in managing smart manufacturing and design processes. Furthermore, the software engineering programme will graduate software experts who are needed in the new era of automation, impacting almost all industries and businesses.
The Master’s programme in sustainable tourism is designed to attract students who wish to develop specialist skills in managing sustainable tourism, eco-tourism and heritage tourism. After the successful organisation of the World Cup, Qatar is becoming the destination of choice for both business and pleasure, and a hub for international tourists. Hence, the demand for such a programme is very high.
The midwifery programme is new to Qatar and addresses the country’s need to develop “homegrown midwives” who can contribute to the country’s vision for healthy women leading to healthy pregnancies. The programme is aligned with the International Confederation of Midwives’ standards of education that will prepare midwives to provide skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate care for childbearing women, newborn infants and families across the continuum from pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the early weeks of life.
The interprofessional neonatal intensive care programme seeks to prepare health professionals to work in neonatal intensive care units. The programme will be offered through micro-credentialing to help working health professionals upscale their specialised knowledge and skills to provide care for vulnerable babies,
The STEM/TVET Education programme is designed for Bachelor’s degree graduates, industry professionals and qualified professional educators, who are interested in gaining the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as Educators, Trainers, Lab Instructors and Experiential Learning Facilitators in education environments utilizing STEM/TVET curricula and industrial training settings.
UDST offers over 60 programmes across five main streams: Engineering Technology, Business Management, Computing and Information Technology, Health Sciences, and General Education. Qatari citizens and children of Qatari women are exempt from undergraduate tuition fees. The academic entry criteria vary depending on the programme. However, students are required to submit a high school graduation certificate with a minimum overall average of 60 percent marks. Additionally, they must pass the UDST English Placement Test and Math Placement Test. Applicants who do not meet the entrance requirements may be considered for the Foundation Programme, which is designed to help them acquire the necessary skills to enter their programme of choice.Admissions are open for the Fall 2023 semester
