QU’s Environmental Sciences Win International Accreditation

Doha, Qatar - Monday, December 31st 2012 [ME NewsWire]

Qatar University’s undergraduate and Masters programs in Environmental Sciences have become the first outside of the UK to be recognised by the world’s leading accreditation body for environmental science education degree programs.

The Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES) and the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) accredited QU’s BSc and MSc Environmental Sciences programs, which began in September 2008 and 2011 respectively, in a ceremony at Qatar’s national university earlier this week.

The award is the culmination of 15 months of hard work for the university’s Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, which began the process in March 2011.  Although CHES usually accredits only honors and graduate programs, an exception was made for QU’s BSc Environmental Science course because of its rigorous nature, which puts it at the same level as an honors program in other universities.

QU’s Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr Eiman Mustafawi, said: “Offering our students internationally-recognized programs contributes to the realization of our mission to become a model national university. These two multi-disciplinary programs in Environmental Sciences exemplify QU’s standards of excellence by emphasizing advanced principles in this field in areas such as conservation, pollution control, marine ecology, climate change, environmental biotechnology, environmental law and economics and sustainable development.

“The programs also showcase the organization’s high-calibre staff, world-class facilities and most importantly, its passionate students who are determined to become the region’s scientists of tomorrow. By graduating from accredited programs I am confident that our students will be well-equipped for such roles in the future.”

CHES Chair and IES Trustee Prof Philip Wheater said: “Since the discipline of environmental science is relatively young, such accreditation is an important milestone in gaining recognition of the quality of standards of the education provision.

“Qatar University’s programs at both Bachelor and Master’s level are well-resourced and taught by expert staff.  Their successful accreditation is a tribute to those who worked so hard in developing them. I am sure that these degrees will continue to go from strength to strength and I have been honored to play a small part in their history.”

Head of QU’s Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences Prof Samir Jaoua said: “CHES accreditation will open up new collaboration in research and student exchanges.  All accredited universities will work together under the umbrella of CHES to implement significant research addressing important environmental issues.”

Former head of the department Dr Hamda Al Naemi said: “When I started planning for Environmental Science programs at QU, I placed high standards and expectations for new multidisciplinary programs that are one of a kind in Qatar and the region.  I am glad we met these expectations, positioning the department, College, and the university as a whole as leaders of programs that are recognized at the international level.”

The courses join a growing list of accredited programs at the college that includes the Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry and Statistics.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About Qatar University:

Qatar University is the first and only national university in Qatar.  Established in 1973, it serves over 12,000 students and offers more than 60 specializations. The organization is committed to providing high-quality education to Qatari and international students in areas of national priority.  Its academic programs are aligned with established international standards and best practices. This was achieved through accreditation of many of its colleges, programs and courses by leading international accrediting bodies such as ABET and AACSB.

www.qu.edu.qa

Contacts

Qatar University

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Lesley Walker

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