Qatar University (QU) Qatar University (QU) is proactive in implementing its ambitious plans for developing higher education and competes with leading international institutes and universities. Since its inception in 1973, QU has become the country's national

and major institution for higher education. It provides quality education with global standards for the more than 15,000 students.
The QU has seven colleges, namely College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Law, College of Pharmacy and College of Sharia and Islamic Studies. It offers the country's widest range of academic programmes designed and selected to meet the growing requirements and needs of the Qatari society.
In addition to the 60 undergraduate programmes, QU provides 26 post graduate others, including 19 for master's degree programmes, four diploma programmes and three doctorate Programmes.
During the academic year 2012-2013, QU successfully completed its strategic plan 2009-2013. It is now working to build on its successes through the new Strategic Plan for the years 2013-2016.
The university is witnessing qualitative and quantitative growth in the field of research. Its new research agenda for the next five years features multidisciplinary research projects focused on four areas namely energy; environment and resource sustainability; social change, identity, population, health and wellness; and information and communication technology.
The research agenda is prepared after two years of intensive study conducted by a joint committee comprising 11 of the finest faculty members.
This year, the university celebrated the 40th anniversary of the College of Education. Qatar University stands on this foundation. The College of Education renewed its accreditation in June 2013. This reiterates the College's commitment to provide high-quality education to build a qualified pool of teachers, educators and school leaders conforming to Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2011-2016.
The College of Arts and Sciences celebrated several achievements at the end of the academic year 2012-2013. They include the launch of the doctoral programme in biological and environmental sciences, the 30th anniversary of the of Biomedical Sciences programme, the renewal of accreditation for the next seven years and the academic accreditation of the departments of Mass Media; and bachelor's and master's degree in environmental science as well as several research awards.
The College of Engineering organised many activities this year like the Our Gas Competition, Life is Engineering Programme and a Computer Contest in which a large number of secondary school students participated. This is part of its strategy to increase students' interest in science and engineering, and to develop a culture of research and innovation in Qatar.
The College of Engineering is currently studying 140 research project proposals within the program of national priorities for scientific research with a total value of QR 400 Million.
The college developed the work programme of its research plan during the academic year, It includes six key areas namely energy and environment, materials and nanotechnology, renewable energy, medical biotics engineering, sustainable environment and infrastructure and information and communications technology.
The College of Business and Economics boosted its efforts to achieve the goals of its strategic plan 2010-2013. It has accomplished 79% of this. The colleges most prominent achievement this year is setting up the Entrepreneurship Center that started operations in September 2013. The college won the award of Best Business School for Management at the  Asian Leadership Awards held in September 2012.
The College of Law too continues to work towards its objectives and to strengthen its position of being the only law college in Qatar. It substantial achievements reiterate the quality of its programmes, curricula, students and faculty members.
The college signed an agreement with the Prosecutor General to set up a new Anti-Corruption programme. It also established the Forum of Energy, Environmental Law, Sustainability and Politics. This aims to promote the study of law, politics and energy industry leadership in Qatar. It also endeavours to form a platform for the exchange of expertise, academic development, and attracting elite legal experts for research projects of national importance.
The College of Sharia and Islamic Studies has continued to strengthen its efforts to promote its mission in order to be a leading partner in achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy (2011-2016). Among the achievements of the college from the fall of the academic year 2012-2013 the launch of two of master's degree programs in the areas of interpretation and Quranic sciences, jurisprudence and fundamentals of jurisprudence, the two programmes have been designed to prepare a cadre of specialists in the field of Quranic research, analysis and interpretation of religious texts, and the origins and sources and principles of Islamic jurisprudence.
College of Pharmacy at the University of Qatar has achieved a number of successes during the academic year, including access to academic accreditation, thus opening up new avenues and opportunities for the students.
Among the latest achievements of the college is receiving academic accreditation of its Continuous Pharmaceutical Professional Development (CPPD) programme by the Qatari Council for Health Professions. This accreditation makes QUs College of Pharmacy the first and only one of its types in Qatar to offer professional development in pharmacy.
The college has doubled its efforts in research. Five of its research proposals won grants in the framework of the 13th session of the programme for college students.
Source: QNA