Education City
Encyclopedia
Education City is an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Located on the outskirts of Doha
, the capital of Qatar
, Education City covers 14 square kilometers and houses educational facilities from school age to research level and branch campi of some of the world's leading universities. Education City aims to be the center of educational excellence in the region, instructing students in fields of critical importance to the Gulf Cooperation Council region. It is also conceived of as a forum where universities share research and forge relationships with businesses and institutions in public and private sectors. Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned was a driving force behind the foundation and construction of Education City.
Six US universities, one UK university and one French university have branch campuses at Education City. They are:
It also has one Qatar university:
In light of similar arrangements recently made between Abu Dhabi
and institutions such as INSEAD
, New York University
and Université Paris-Sorbonne
, observers have noted that while the oil-rich Persian Gulf nations may be using their wealth to buy prestige through these marquee universities, the presence of these Western institutions may have a liberalizing impact on the culturally conservative region.
Other educational centers located at Education City include:
for Education, Science and Community Development, a private, chartered, non-profit organization in the state of Qatar
, founded in 1995 by decree of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. Under Qatar Foundation’s umbrella are Education City which comprises elite universities, several academic and training programs and Qatar Science and Technology Park which boasts more than 21 world class companies involved in scientific research and development.
Qatar Foundation has also launched the World Innovation Summit for Education
– WISE – a global forum that brings together education stakeholders, opinion leaders and decision makers from all over the world to discuss educational issues. The first edition was held in Doha
, Qatar from November 16 to 18, 2009, the second from December 7 to 9, 2010. The third edition will be held from November 1 to 3, 2011.
Doha
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar...
, the capital of Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
, Education City covers 14 square kilometers and houses educational facilities from school age to research level and branch campi of some of the world's leading universities. Education City aims to be the center of educational excellence in the region, instructing students in fields of critical importance to the Gulf Cooperation Council region. It is also conceived of as a forum where universities share research and forge relationships with businesses and institutions in public and private sectors. Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned was a driving force behind the foundation and construction of Education City.
Schools
- Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar School of the Arts (VCUQ). Founded in 1998, VCUQ has offered students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (4 years) in fashion design, graphic design, interior design or painting and printmaking as well as a Masters of Fine Arts in Design Studies (2 years).
- Weill Cornell Medical College in QatarWeill Cornell Medical College in QatarThe Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar was established on April 9, 2001, when Cornell University signed an agreement with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development to bring a branch of its medical school to Education City, Qatar, near the capital of Doha...
(WCMC-Q). The Medical College was established by Cornell University in 2001 and offers a two-year pre-medical program followed by the four-year medical program leading to a Doctor of Medicine degree. - Texas A&M University at QatarTexas A&M University at QatarTexas A&M University at Qatar is a branch of Texas A&M University located in Education City, Doha, Qatar. The University offers undergraduate degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical, and petroleum engineering. A graduate program for chemical engineering commenced in 2011...
(TAMUQ). TAMUQ was established in 2003 and offers undergraduate degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering. - Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q). CMU-Q has since 2004 offered undergraduate degrees in business, computer science programs, and as of 2007 an undergraduate degree in information systems.
- Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Qatar). SFS-Qatar has, since 2005, offered a four-year program leading to a bachelor's degree in foreign service.
- Northwestern University in QatarNorthwestern University in QatarNorthwestern University in Qatar is Northwestern University’s first overseas campus. Founded in partnership with Qatar Foundation in 2008, NU-Q is located in Education City, Doha, Qatar. NU-Q offers a liberal arts and media education with undergraduate degrees awarded in communication and...
(NU-Q) began degree programs in journalism and communication in fall 2008. - HEC Paris began offering graduate executive education programs for mid-career and senior executives in 2011.
- UCL Qatar arrived in 2011 and offers postgraduate degree programmes in the areas of archaeology, conservation, cultural heritage and museum studies.
It also has one Qatar university:
- Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS). It began in 2007 by offering a Masters degree in Islamic Studies.
In light of similar arrangements recently made between Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
and institutions such as INSEAD
INSEAD
INSEAD is an international graduate business school and research institution. It has campuses in Europe , Asia , and the Middle East , as well as a research center in Israel...
, New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and Université Paris-Sorbonne
Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi or Université Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi is a French speaking university in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates....
, observers have noted that while the oil-rich Persian Gulf nations may be using their wealth to buy prestige through these marquee universities, the presence of these Western institutions may have a liberalizing impact on the culturally conservative region.
Other educational centers located at Education City include:
- Qatar AcademyQatar AcademyQatar Academy is a private, co-educational school in Doha, Qatar. It is an international school located in Qatar Foundation's Education City. It was founded in 1996 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar. The school offers the International Baccalaureate...
. QA offers an international education for boys and girls from preschool to university entrance. Qatar Academy is fully accredited by the U.S.-based New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Europe-based Council of International Schools. - The Learning Center. This is a school for students who have average or above average potential but have experienced academic problems; it assists students in developing compensatory skills for their individual learning differences.
- Academic Bridge Program. Established in 2001, this center offers a university-preparatory program and aims to equip specially selected, top-caliber secondary school graduates for admission to degree programs of both Qatar FoundationQatar FoundationQatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a government-funded, chartered, non-profit organization in the state of Qatar, founded in 1995 by decree of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and chaired by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned...
's Education City campuses and other world-class universities.
Research and Industry
Several centers based at Education City focus on science and research. These include:- RANDRANDRAND Corporation is a nonprofit global policy think tank first formed to offer research and analysis to the United States armed forces by Douglas Aircraft Company. It is currently financed by the U.S. government and private endowment, corporations including the healthcare industry, universities...
-Qatar Policy Institute (RQPI), which complex policy problems and helps implement enduring solutions for clients across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. - Qatar Science & Technology ParkQatar Science & Technology ParkQatar Science & Technology Park is a home for international technology companies in Qatar, and an incubator of start-up technology businesses...
(QSTP), a state-of-the-art facility comprising 45,000 square meters of office and laboratory space. QSTP aims to fuel Qatar’s knowledge economyKnowledge economyThe knowledge economy is a term that refers either to an economy of knowledge focused on the production and management of knowledge in the frame of economic constraints, or to a knowledge-based economy. In the second meaning, more frequently used, it refers to the use of knowledge technologies to...
by encouraging companies from around the world to develop and commercialize their technology in Qatar, and by helping entrepreneurs to launch start-up technology businesses. - Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), which supports research that is in the national interest. It was established to provide opportunities for researchers at all levels, from students to professionals, in the private, public, and academic sectors. The first of its funding programs, the Undergraduate Research Experience Program, was launched in 2006.
Other Centers
- Doha DebatesDoha DebatesThe Doha Debates are a forum for free speech in Qatar and tackle the region's most controversial and topical issues. They are sponsored by Qatar Foundation and their broadcasting rights are sold to BBC World News where they are aired monthly, eight times a year.In addition to BBC World News The...
, a public forum for dialogue modeled on the Oxford UnionOxford UnionThe Oxford Union Society, commonly referred to simply as the Oxford Union, is a debating society in the city of Oxford, Britain, whose membership is drawn primarily but not exclusively from the University of Oxford...
debates and broadcast on the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. - QatardebateQatardebateQatarDebate, a member of Qatar Foundation and the National Debating Organisation for Qatar, is a civic engagement initiative which aims to develop and support the standard of open discussion and debate among students and young people in Qatar and the broader Arab world.- Founding :QatarDebate was...
, a youth civic engagement initiative which aims to foster a culture of debate and discussion in Qatar and the wider Arab World, creating 'debaters today, leaders tomorrow'. - Al Jazeera Children's ChannelAl Jazeera Children's ChannelAl Jazeera Children's Channel is a Pan-Arab edutainment channel addressing an audience between 7 and 15 years old. With the mission to encourage the love of learning and discovery, JCC is dedicated to create & provide quality programs that enlighten the child’s mind.This goal is realized by...
(JCC), a pan-Arab youth television channel which aims to strike a balance between education and entertainment. - Al Shaqab stud farm and equestrian academy
- Fitch studio, an extension of the Fitch London studio.
- Sidra Medical and Research Center, a teaching and research hospital scheduled to open in late 2012. Sidra will be the primary teaching venue for Weill Cornell Medical College in QatarWeill Cornell Medical College in QatarThe Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar was established on April 9, 2001, when Cornell University signed an agreement with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development to bring a branch of its medical school to Education City, Qatar, near the capital of Doha...
. - Qatar Computing Research Institute is a research center established in 2010, which collaborates with Carnegie Mellon University in the form of joint seminar series and joint projects.
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
Education City is part of Qatar FoundationQatar Foundation
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a government-funded, chartered, non-profit organization in the state of Qatar, founded in 1995 by decree of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and chaired by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned...
for Education, Science and Community Development, a private, chartered, non-profit organization in the state of Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
, founded in 1995 by decree of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. Under Qatar Foundation’s umbrella are Education City which comprises elite universities, several academic and training programs and Qatar Science and Technology Park which boasts more than 21 world class companies involved in scientific research and development.
Qatar Foundation has also launched the World Innovation Summit for Education
World Innovation Summit for Education
The World Innovation Summit for Education aims to transform education by fostering innovation and linking education to global issues and leading fields of development....
– WISE – a global forum that brings together education stakeholders, opinion leaders and decision makers from all over the world to discuss educational issues. The first edition was held in Doha
Doha
Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar...
, Qatar from November 16 to 18, 2009, the second from December 7 to 9, 2010. The third edition will be held from November 1 to 3, 2011.
External links
- Qatar Foundation
- Education City website
- Qatar Education City
- Qatar Science & Technology Park
- Carnegie-Mellon Qatar Campus
- Georgetown University Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service Qatar
- Northwestern University in Qatar
- Texas A&M Qatar Campus
- Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar
- Weill-Cornell Medical School in Qatar
- UCL Qatar
- RAND-Qatar Policy Institute
- In Oil-Rich Mideast, Shades of the Ivy League in The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
- Qatar's Science Revolution article on "The Science and Development Network (SciDev.Net)"
- Article about Education City in National ReviewNational ReviewNational Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
(U.S. publication) - College of the North Atlantic – Qatar
- World Innovation Summit for Education