UCalgary in Qatar welcomes 160 new students

The University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) hosted a New Student Orientation event for new nursing students joining the academic year 2021-2022. This informative and interactive event took place on Monday, Aug. 30 on the UCQ campus which welcomed the new students, in the presence of faculty. 

“We are very excited to welcome our new students and help them transition into our programs and campus life,” said Dr. Deborah White, dean and professor, University of Calgary in Qatar. “As COVID-19 continues for yet another academic year, we take so much pride in this generation of determined and ambitious students who joined our UCQ family to become the future nurse leaders in Qatar. Orientation is the first step on this exciting journey and a chance for new students to learn everything they need about our programs, campus, facilities and most importantly, meet other students as well as faculty and staff members.” 

Welcoming first-year students

This year, UCQ is welcoming 120 new students to the Bachelor of Nursing, Regular Track program and 40 students to the Nursing Foundation Program. The orientation event included a tour of the campus and a series of speeches by White and the student services team. Students engaged in interactive introductory sessions to UCQ’s Experiential Learning Center and academic supports such as academic advising, student counselling and the writing centre, all offered in the Learning Commons. Sessions were held in smaller groups and social distancing measures were implemented in line with COVID-19 precautionary procedures and protocols. 

“We are pleased to meet our new first-year students joining our Bachelor of Nursing program this academic year. With over 500 applicants, the interest in the programs offered at UCalgary in Qatar has substantially increased. We look forward to welcoming our students on our campus,” said Dr. Mohamoud Adam, director of Student and Enrolment Services. 

The Bachelor of Nursing, Regular Track program in Qatar offers the same degree that is awarded to graduates of the Faculty of Nursing at UCalgary in Canada and is the gold standard of university degrees in nursing. The program prepares students for work in patient care, community health, administration, research, health and wellness education. 

UCQ’s enrolment has grown dramatically as demand for nurses has increased and today there are 790 UCQ nursing graduates, many of whom are working in all facets of Qatar’s health-care system.