Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) recently welcomed its incoming class of 2019-2020, more than 370 highly talented students from diverse backgrounds, committed to the pursuit of an interdisciplinary global research education. This year, applicants had the opportunity to compete for entry to 33 undergraduate and graduate degrees offered by HBKU’s six colleges, including eight new programs. 

HBKU has a competitive and holistic admissions review process that reflects a commitment to attracting high-achievers to be part of its innovative and result-oriented community. Students offered a place this year represent 46 countries, and 100 are Qataris. In turn, students are assured of an enriching academic experience within HBKU’s innovative research ecosystem. Mentorship from distinguished faculty members and HBKU’s three research institutes offer unparalleled opportunities for students to pursue their individual ambitions while gaining the knowledge to address challenges facing Qatar and the world.

Noureddine Radouai, part of the first cohort of the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program at the newly launched College of Public Policy (CPP), explains his choice to enroll at HBKU: “I was particularly attracted to the interdisciplinary nature of the MPP program as the curriculum and the courses offered align well with my interests and objectives. The coursework will help me increase my knowledge and learn skills necessary to contribute to the development and modernization of my home country. Besides core policy courses, the program offers the opportunity of professional development through the cooperation it has built with various organizations in Qatar.”

MPP is the first program to be offered by CPP which aims to develop effective policy formation and implementation skills among students who can specialize in either social policy or energy and environmental policy. Radouai adds: “The combination of subjects in this program, which is rarely found in other MPP programs, is very important since focus on these areas is highly needed in the MENA region. I look forward to the opportunity to learn from world-class experts belonging to various academic and professional backgrounds and the diverse culture at HBKU, which brings together students from different cultures together in a melting pot to interact and learn from each other."

Another incoming student, Abdulaziz Mohamed, who has enrolled at College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) to pursue a Master of Arts (MA) in Translation Studies says: “Since high school, I’ve wanted to pursue translation studies and when I learned about this program at CHSS’s information session, I decided to enroll here. My time at HBKU will not only be an academically challenging and rewarding one but will also be helpful in my overall personality development.” 

The MA in Translation Studies program trains expert translators and equips them with the skillset to work in various sectors. As for what he wants to achieve at CHSS, Mohamed notes: “I want to combine the knowledge I gain here with my background in engineering to be a source of help for my community and I am hopeful that the faculty at CHSS will be helpful in making me realize my aspirations. I look forward to meeting new people, making new friends and immersing myself in the diverse student body at HBKU, which I think will be a highly enriching and knowledgeable experience for me.”

Khairunnisa Hussain, an incoming student joining the College of Islamic Studies’ (CIS) Master of Arts in Islam and Global Affairs program, says she found the program’s forward-looking prospects particularly appealing: “It has always been a personal aim of mine to learn more about Islam and how it relates to current global concerns. Having experienced life here in Qatar over the past four years, I felt it was apt and timely for me to pursue this CIS program as it offers extensive critical analysis of pertinent Islamic issues from vastly expansive global perspectives. With the knowledge acquired, I hope to be able to make meaningful and impactful contributions to society and my ummah (respective community).”

The program enables students to possess the skills that help them to become ethical leaders who can assume key roles in governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well private, local, and international entities, while remaining conscious of large-scale, global issues.

Jamil Mohmoud Alenbawi, a referral coordinator at Primary Health Care Corporation, has enrolled in the PhD in Genomics and Precision Medicine (GPM) program at the College of Health and Social Sciences (CHLS). The program aims to support Qatar’s aim of developing an efficient and personalized medicine and healthcare program for its citizens. 

Reflecting on how his studies at HBKU will shape her professional aspirations, Alenbawi remarks: “This program offers advanced knowledge and training in the field of genomics and precision medicine and will give me the opportunity to explore state-of-the-art basic, clinical, technological, computational, legal and ethical aspects of a fascinating, fast-expanding sector of the life sciences. I am confident it will prepare me to take on leading roles in the healthcare sector and open doors to exciting careers in academia, public service sector and the healthcare industry.”

The incoming cohorts are joining an ever-growing body of students at HBKU. As of May, more than 700 students were enrolled at the university. Last academic year, the university introduced eight pioneering degrees across the fields of Islamic studies; humanities and social sciences; science and engineering; law; health and life sciences; and public policy.