Further education in Qatar

For an updated version of this post see the Further Education in Qatar section of our website.

(Also see Qatar schools.)

Further Education in Qatar has been developing rapidly in recent years, and foreign students are often welcome. Qatar University is the oldest institution, having been established in 1973 with 150 initial students. Since that time it has expanded greatly: in 2002 there 8,621 students, the majority of whom were women.

In addition, Qatar has invited a number of western institutions to set up highly specialized campus branches in Qatar, a number of which are based in Doha’s 2,500-acre Education City. Standards in many of these institutions are high, with often only a small number of places available and high entry requirements. Many of these newer universities are currently extending their activities to research.

Carnegie Mellon University
Website: www.qatar.cmu.edu

Carnegie Mellon, the Pennsylvanian based university, offers degrees in computer sciences and business. Students of any nationality can apply.

Contact details
Tel: +974 492 8260 Fax: +974 492 8255
Email: Admissions: ug-admission@qatar.cmu.edu
Recruitment: qatar-resume@qatar.cmu.edu
Address: c/o Qatar Foundation
P.O. Box 24866, Doha, Qatar

Calgary University: Faculty of Nursing in Qatar
Website: www.ucalgary-qatar.ca

Qatar's newest institute (opening at the start of May 2007), this Canadian University provides nursing education and research in collaboration with Hamed Medical Corporation.


CHN Institute
Website: www.chninstitute.com
Location: CHN University Campus

CHN institute is affiliated with CHN university in Holland and Qatar (see below). It provides language courses for individual students, and tailor made courses, research and consulting to corporate clients.

Contact details:
Tel: +974 4878288
Fax: +974 4871764
Email: admin@chninstitute.com

CHN university
Website: www.chn.nl/qatar
Location: Al-Jeleait Street, Bin Omran

You can’t miss this Dutch administered university – it’s located in a fort-like building at the back of Hamad Hospital and the Athletes Village. CHN university offers both degrees and MA’s in tourism and hospitality.

Contact details:
Phone +974 – 4888116/ 4888126
Fax +974 4888136
Email: chnsecretary@qatar.net.qa
Address: P.O. Box 36037, Doha, Qatar

College of the North Atlantic, Qatar
Website: www.cna-qatar.com

CNA,Q is a Canadian run technical college administered by the College of the North Atlantic, Canada. Programs include business studies, engineering technology and information technology. Part time courses are also available.

Main campus:
Location: 68 Al Tarafa, Duhail North, (Next to Qatar University)

Contact details
Telephone No. +974 4952222
Fax No. +974 4952200
Email: info@cna-qatar.edu.qa
Address: P. O. Box 24449, Doha, Qatar Doha, Qatar


Rayyan Campus:
Location: Al Forousiya Road
Opposite Horse Race Track

Contact details:
Telephone No. +974 4825555
Fax No. +974 4825500
Email: info@cna-qatar.edu.qa
Address: P. O. Box 24449, Doha, Qatar


Georgetown University
Website: www3.georgetown.edu/sfs/qatar
Location: Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Building - Education City

George Town university offers a four year bachelor of Sciences degree in foreign services. While all suitable students will be considered, George Town anticipates that the majority of students will be recruited from English language international schools in the region.

Contact details (admissions):
Phone: +974 492 7652
Fax: +974 482 6868
Email: SFSQadmissions@georgetown.edu
Address: P.O. Box 23689, Doha, Qatar

Qatar Aeronautical College
Website: www.qac.edu.qa/
Location: Ras Abu Aboud

Qatar Aeronautical College offers courses in Air Traffic Control, Engineering, Pilot Training and English Language.

Contact details:
Phone: +974 4408888
Fax: +974 4357034
Email: qacadmn@qatar.net.qa
Address: P O Box 4050, Doha, Qatar

Qatar University
Website: www.qu.edu.qa
Location: In West Bay area, close to the Golf Club.

Qatar University offers a foundation course and programs in engineering, education, law, sharia, Business and Economics and Arts and Sciences. Of particular to interest to expatriates might be Arabic for non-native speakers, offering a years program consisting of three four-month semesters. Its Sharia college is moderate; its former dean has spoken out against the use of the veil, and argued that Muslims should be allowed to join in festivities at Christmas, while its current dean is a women.

Contact:

- Associate Vice-President for Student Affairs
Phone: +974 485-6633
Fax: +974 485-1704
E-mail: stdaffairs@qu.edu.qa

- External Relations Office
Phone: +974 485-2331
Fax: +974 483-7742
E-mail: ccer@qu.edu.qa

Alternatively, email admin@qu.edu.qa.

University Address: PO Box 2713

For admissions see the individual colleges on Qatar Universities website..

Texas A&M University at Qatar
Website: www.qatar.tamu.edu
Location: Education City

Texas A&M university currently has approximately 200 students and around 48 members of staff – pretty small compared to the 45,00 students it has enrolled in its home country! In Qatar the university focuses on engineering programs, offering degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering. Admission is open to international students, and competition for places is highly competitive.

Contact details:
Phone: +974 492 7369
Fax: +974 492 7177
Email: info@qatar.tamu.edu
Address:
PO Box 23874, Doha, Qatar

Admissions:
Phone: +974 492 7377
email: admission@qatar.tamu.edu

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar
Website: www.qatar.vcu.edu
Location: Qatar Foundation

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, a branch university of VCU School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia, offers a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design, fashion design or interior design. Admission is open to non-Qatari students.

Contact details
Phone: +974 492 7200/ 492 7328
Email: vcuqadmissions@qatar.vcu.edu

Weill Cornell Medical College
Website: www.qatar-med.cornell.edu
Location: Education City

Weill Cornell Medical College is administered by the American Cornell College. In Qatar it offers a 6 year medical program consisting of a 2-year pre-medical program followed by a four year medical program, culminating in a Cornell Md degree. Up to 60 students are admitted, and while priority will be given to Qatari students who meet the strict admission criteria other nationalities will also be considered.

Contact details:
Tel: +974 492 8000
Fax: +974 492 8444
Email: admissons@qatar-med.cornell.edu

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Ambitious plans for Doha

Grand Hamad street is to be closed to traffic and converted into the Grand Hamad Corridor, according to a Gulf Times article today. The corridor will include a tent covered galleria which will become the longest galleria in the world. The corridor will be designed by Pacific Consultants International, who have also proposed a 400 hectare forest area with lakes, gardens, a 100 meter hill and a motorized gondola with observation decks. The proposals are all part of the Urban Planning and Development Authorities Qatar National Master Plan.

Also see: Doha City Guide

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Spices

A huge range of spices are available in Doha's Souq Waqif.

Also see: Qatar Image Library

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Doha zoo

Drive up Salwa road to the large roundabout by the Industrial area (it’s called fort roundabout, but the fort has disappeared), turn right onto Al Furousiya Street, follow the road along and you’ll find Doha Zoo to your left. (Be careful of the enormous pothole by the entrance.) According to the zoo’s brochure it has over 800 specimens, but as the brochure looks like it was made in the 1970’s, we can’t guarantee the accuracy of that.

Still, the zoo, while not matching the quality of large Western equivalents, makes for a pleasant day out. Many of the animals have large enclosures; the gazelles, deer and antelope looking the happiest while the big cats seemed bored in their cages. There are some native Qatari species, including ostriches and Oryx. Information about the animals is provided in English, although rather spasmodically.

There’s no indoor section for the creepy crawlies you’d expect in Europe, but the landscaping, pools and flowers are very welcome in this dry country. The water and greenery attracted so many birds that the bird song was almost deafening! Our children also appreciated the play area.

Being Qatar, there is no reason to use your legs in the zoo, a train (pulled by a tractor) is available to take you on a tour of the zoo. The trip starts and ends at the gates, staggering distance from the waiting land cruiser.

Opening hours:
Saturday – Sunday 9 a.m – 6.30 p.m.
Tuesdays – women only
Wednesday - families
Fridays – 1.20 6.30

Also see: Doha Guide

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Cranes

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Doha Cultural Festival Schedule

Information has been hard to come by, but there's finally a schedule for the Doha Cultural Festival. The schedule is on the Doha festival website, or can be accessed directly here. Enjoy!

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Losail Racing Track

Walkway to stadium at Losail Racing Track, Qatar.

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The Doha Cultural Festival

There's a lot on over the next two weeks or so, with the Doha Cultural festival taking place, but as usual information seems hard to come by. The Gulf Times has a schedule out in today's issue, and you should also be able to get information from The National Council for Culture Arts and Heritage, although I am currently having problems loading it.

The Heritage Village will, of course, be opened, and a cultural cafe at the Ritz Carlton. Traditional dancing and a falconry and horse display will be held at the grounds near Merkhiya roundabout tomorrow at 4.00 pm, followed by "Desert tunes on the Rabbah,' which will then be held daily until 4th March. On Sunday 24th a photography exhibition will open at the Ritz Carlton, and will remain open until the end of the festival, and the fiction film festival will feature three films daily at the Mall Cinema. Other events include poetry, lectures, plays and tonight's laser display over the bay - starting at 6pm and visible from the Corniche.

Also see: Doha Guide

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Barzan Towers

The Barzan Towers were built at the start of the 20th century by Sheik Mohammed Bin Jassim Al Thani, at a time when the Ottomans were still sulking in Al Koot fort.

Barzan means high place, and it was said that pearl divers could see the towers when they returned from their pearl trips. They were essentially watch towers, probably built to protect an area where rain water collected - greenery, a well and a brook can still be seen in Um Slal Mohammed today.

The towers have been renovated (read completely rebuilt), and features such as modern air-conditioners do not add to the authenticity of the experience (although they may make it a lot more bearable in the summer months! However, the towers, with their thick stone walls, still make an interesting trip.

The towers also afford a good view of the surrounding area. You can see from the walls the extreme gaps in wealth that exist in Qatar. On one side of the towers huge modern and rather tasteless houses stand, on the other makeshift shacks exist. We watched one man walk a mile from these shacks to collect water from a tap.

The Barzan towers are located on the outskirts of Umm Slal Mohammed and are (just) visible from the main road. You can read more about the towers on the Heritage of Qatar website.

Also see: Things to See and Do in Qatar

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Nurseries in Qatar

Also see: Qatar Schools Studying Languages in Qatar Qatar Resident's Guide

While nurseries in Qatar offer good value for money compared to countries like the UK and the US, there is often competition for places. Things seem to get worse as the year progresses, with more places available at the start of the year.

Below we’ve provided a list of nurseries in Qatar. Obviously it’s not a complete list; if there are other nurseries you think we should include please email us the details or leave them on a comment.

Busy Bees
Ages: 1-4
Tel: +974 468 0971/ +974 5827598
Location: Villa 4, JBK Compound on Salwa Road near Midmac Roundabout
Postal Address: PO Box 19875, Doha, Qatar
Email: busybees@qatar.net.qa

Elder Tree Nursery
Ages: 2 months – 3 ½ years
Location: Al-Nuáijah, Belal Bin Rabah St., Building 8 (opposite Ahli football club)
Gate number 1 Tel: +974 4551020 Email: eldertreenursery@qatar.net.qa
Postal Address: PO Box 3857 Doha Qatar
Website: www.eldertreenursery.net.com
Email: eldertree@qatar.net.qa

First step nursery
Ages: 3 months – three and a half (but occasionally take older children)
Location: Off Al Khana street (near Euro clinic) and close to Toy R’ Us on Suhaim Bin Hamad Street.
Phone: +974 437-5862

Sunbeam Kindergarten
Ages: for children up to five years old
Address: PO Box 19612, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 444 0108
Fax: (+974 444 0108)
Mobile: (+974) 585 9308
Location: Al Baayen Gardens Compound near Al Sadd Sports Stadium
Postal Address: P.O. Box 19612, Doha, Qatar
Email: sunbeams@qatar.net.qa

Tots Corner Nursery
Ages: 1-4 years
Tel: +974 468 8008
Fax: +974 468 8700
Location: 56 Al Madeed, AL Joudi Street, Al Mamoura Area
Postal Address: PO Box 3971, Doha, Qatar
Email: totscorner@qatar.net.qa

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The Mall

This was Qatar’s first shopping centre, which is perhaps why its owners felt so little need to invest any imagination into its name. The Mall is located on D ring road, next to Lulu hypermarket. Q-mart is the food store here, a small supermarket which sells nothing you can’t get elsewhere.

There are a few interesting stores in The Mall. Makki gallery has some nice-looking jewellery, not that there’s any shortage of jewellery stores in Qatar, and Badran Carpets has some beautifully designed Iranian rugs. There are many of the usual suspects here such as the Body Shop, although mercifully no Starbucks. There’s also a Boss clothes shop, a Highland store and a Tony and Guy clothing store. Stalls are crammed along the middle of the walkways: perhaps the most interesting was a Lebanese art store selling, amongst other items, handmade Lebanese jewelry and miniature water pipes. There’s also an interesting display in the middle of the mall selling wooden carved and painted furniture. Climb up the stairs and you’ll find a rather grim food court to your right containing a Mc Donalds and an Orient Express. Luckily there’s better eating downstairs – Cioconat Lounge has futuristic decor and, as its name suggests, an emphasis on chocolate. Opera cafe has an upstairs and downstairs seating area and a large, varied and reasonably priced menu. We were particularly impressed at its American breakfast: eggs, sausages, grilled tomatoes, bacon and home made hash browns for 15 riyals.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with the Mall. However, compared to the large and modern malls now available elsewhere such as Hyatt Plaza, City Centre and especially Villagio, it feels small, old-fashioned and out of date. We might go back – but only for that American breakfast!

Also see: Qatar Shopping

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Apples available in Virgin Megastore

Apple computers and ipods are now easily available in Qatar. Virgin Megastore, which has recently opened in Villagio, is selling a whole range of Apple products, including mini-macs. In addition to computer equipment and, of course, music, there is a range of books which puts every other book store in Qatar to shame and finally provides relief to the frustrated book lovers in Qatar.

Virgin Megastore's contact details:
Tel: +974 4135823/4135824
Address: PO BOX 55417, Doha, Qatar
Email: vgn.vil.qa@azadea.com

Update: presumably as a result of this, Carrefour are now also selling Apples.

Also see: Qatar Shopping

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