Education City

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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 campuses 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 GCC region. It is also conceived of as a forum, where universities share research and facilities, not only with each other but also by forging relationships with businesses and institutions in public and private sectors.

[edit] Schools

Five US universities have branch campuses at Education City. They are:

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUQ). Since 1998, VCUQ has offered students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in communication design, fashion design or interior design through a four-year curriculum.
Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (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 Qatar (TAMUQ). TAMUQ was established in 2003 and offers undergraduate degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering. In 2007, TAMUQ added masters programs in engineering and science.
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^[1].

Northwestern University recently announced plans to open Schools of Journalism and Communication there in the Autumn of 2008.^[2]

Other educational centers located at Education City include:

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 Foundation's Education City campuses and other world-class universities.
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.
Qatar Academy - Comprising a Primary and Senior School this 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.

There are also centers based at Education City which are focused on science and research. These include:

RAND-Qatar Policy Institute (RQPI). This is a partnership between the RAND Corporation and Qatar Foundation. RQPI analyzes complex policy problems and helps implement enduring solutions for clients across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). Qatar Foundation is investing $300 million in building a state-of-the-art facility at Education City, comprising 45,000 square meters of office and laboratory space. QSTP aims to fuel Qatar’s knowledge economy 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). QNRF aims to support 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.

Qatar Foundation has also forayed into broadcasting. Two other Qatar Foundation initiatives based at Education City are Doha Debates and Al Jazeera Children's Channel. Doha Debates is a public forum for dialogue modeled on the Oxford Union debates and broadcast on the BBC. Al Jazeera Children's Channel (JCC) is a pan-Arab youth television channel which aims to strike a balance between education and entertainment.

Qatar Foundation has also formed partnerships that are located at Education City. For Al Shaqab stud, which came under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation in 2004, Qatar Foundation provides management and support services. Fitch studio, an extension of the Fitch London studio, has been established in order to develop the Fitch presence in the Gulf and Middle East region. In addition, the presence of a brand like Fitch serves to provide employment opportunities and to offer an international best practice for the emerging design sector in the region.

Future Education City projects planned by Qatar Foundation include Sidra Medical and Research Center. Scheduled to open in late 2010, Sidra will offer clinical care, medical training and biomedical research. Sidra will be the primary teaching venue for Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and they will also be involved in the research. Working with Sidra and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar will be Hamad Medical Corporation, the major public health care provider in Doha.

[edit] Notes and references

Asquith, Christina. "Accepted into Education City". Diverse Online: Your Portal to Diversity. 1 Jun. 2006 Diverse Online. 10 Jun. 2006 http://www.diverseeducation.com/