Browsing 'qatar university' News

byShabina S. Khatri
News
byShabina S. Khatri
News

Qatar University

Qatar University

Qatar’s national university has jumped nearly 50 spots in an annual ranking of the world’s top schools.

Qatar University is now 349th in the latest edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, which came out earlier this summer.

That’s up from 393rd in last year’s index. However, QU remained at ninth out of the top 100 higher education institutions in the Arab world.

Qatar University

Qatar University campus

The university’s growing number of Master’s and PhD programs, along with its “research successes,” were cited as main reasons for its improving score.

In a statement, QU’s President said the assessment marks a milestone moment for the university.

“The new ranking highlights the reputation that QU has built over the years, and in this occasion I would like to thank the entire QU community for their contribution towards this proud achievement.”

Other schools

A total of 959 schools were assessed for the 2018 version of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings, up from 916 last year.

The highest-ranking varsity in the region was once again the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals. It was 173rd and had obtained a five-star rating.

Two other Saudi schools also received five-star ratings. They are King Saud University (222nd) and King Abdulaziz University (267th).

Stephen Downes/Flickr

King Saud University

The American University of Beirut was 235rd, and Qatar was fifth in the region at 349th.

The top universities globally were all based in the US: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University and Harvard University.

However, the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford followed closely behind at 5th and 6th, respectively.

Thoughts?

byShabina S. Khatri
News
byShabina S. Khatri
News

Qatar University

Qatar University

Qatar’s national university has jumped 44 spots in an international ranking of top varsities around the world.

Qatar University (QU) is now 349th in the latest edition of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, which came out this week.

The numbers reflect the 2018 edition of the index. QU rose from 393rd in the 2017 rankings, and 481st in 2016.

Stephen Downes/Flickr

King Saud University

QU also ranked fourth in the GCC and fifth in the Arab region.

The top-rated universities in the Gulf were King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (173rd) and King Saud University (221st). Both are located in Saudi Arabia.

The breakdown

The QS World University Rankings 2018 takes into consideration some 4,000 universities when compiling its rankings. They are scored on six indicators:

  • Academic reputation (40 percent),
  • Employer reputation (10 percent),
  • Citations per faculty (20 percent),
  • Student to faculty ratio (20 percent),
  • International faculty (5 percent); and
  • International students (5 percent).

Among the factors that boosted QU’s score were a high number of faculty staff with PhDs, the university’s research focus and large international student body.

Qatar University

QU President Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham

In a statement, QU President Dr. Hassan Al Derham said the results reflect “the high quality education that Qatar University offers to its students and the alignment of its academic programs with the needs of the local labor market.”

“This also reflects that our graduates are capable to excel and compete in the local and international labor market, as well as to pursue their graduate studies at the top international universities,” he added.

Questions over quality

However, just how well the QS rankings reflect university quality is up for debate.

The index has been criticized in previous years because it relies on online reputation surveys that end up accounting for some 50 percent of a school’s score.

Heather/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

According to a study by a UK-based higher education think tank in December, these types of surveys are dubious at best.

“They are flawed methodologically, as effectively they only measure research performance and the results favor a small number of institutions,” the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) said.

However, QU is also listed among the world’s top universities by the Times Higher Education‘s index, which are based on different criteria.

Thoughts?

byShabina S. Khatri
News
byShabina S. Khatri
News

Chantelle D’mello / Doha News

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

In the coming weeks, hundreds of young expats will graduate from Qatar’s universities. Many will grapple with visa and employment questions.

Oma Seddiq at the Daily Q, Northwestern University in Qatar’s student publication, has put together some advice to help these seniors with their transition out of school.

It is aimed specifically at those departing Qatar Foundation colleges, but we’ve added in some information for Qatar University students, too.

If you’re graduating in Qatar soon, here’s what you need to know:

1) If you’re on a student visa, your residency permit will expire soon.

Once you graduate, new alumni of Qatar Foundation usually have about three months to cancel their RPs or transfer their sponsorship to an employer or other entity.

MOI/Facebook

Qatar ID card

Notably, for QU students, international students only have five days to cancel their RPs after graduation, according to the university’s website.

However, graduating students should contact the school immediately after completing final exams to convey whether they want to cancel or transfer their RPs.

2) If you cancel your RP, you must leave Qatar within seven days.

Canceling will require submitting your Qatar ID and passport to your coordinator.

Craig Sunter/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

Remember that if you own a vehicle, you must transfer that ownership registration to another resident and pay all traffic fines before canceling.

Here’s a checklist of some other requirements expats must meet before canceling their RPs, including closing out bank accounts, credit cards and loans.

3) Transferring your sponsorship will require an NOC from QF.

You won’t be able to get this until you present copies of your QID, passport, employment contract and employer’s valid computer card.

BunchandBrock Law

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

You will also need to clear all outstanding dues with QF’s finance department. Once you get the NOC, your employer will complete the process.

4) EC Graduates need to clear out of their dorms by May 11.

Departing seniors can stay in HBKU housing for an extra week after graduation, but need to have emailed Housing and Residence Life already to get that extension.

Chantelle D'mello / Doha News

HBKU residence halls

It will cost additional fees to stay longer, including in the summer.

What advice would you add? Thoughts?