Doha: The Academic Bridge Programme, a centre of Qatar Foundation, organised orientation for about 250 new students in Learning Resources Centre (LRC) of ABP’s Liberal Arts and Sciences Building in Education City.
The Class of 2016 was introduced to ABP’s facilities, policies and activities as well as administrators, faculty and staff who will work with them during the academic year.
College information, goal-setting and reflection, academic integrity and community building activity sessions were also held.
Around 80 percent of students are Qatari and the rest from some 27 countries, including Bahrain, Bulgaria, Gambia, France, India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US. Nearly 75 percent of the class is female.
Dr Bryan Lewallen, Director, ABP, said: “This is a special year for ABP, as we celebrate our 15th anniversary. Last year was the most successful in terms of university admissions in ABP’s history.
“We have yet another excellent group of students and hope the Class of 2016 will set the bar higher for academic success and admission offers to universities in Qatar and abroad.
“Our faculty and staff are looking forward to beginning the school year, which will see re-accreditation of our academic programme by Commission on English Language Programmes in the US and renovation of our building.”
The two-day event featured presentations by Ahmad Al Jassim, Events Coordinator, ABP Student Affairs, and Dr Mark Newmark, Assistant Director, Academic Affairs.
Inspired by the success of a new English course last year, ABP is introducing a course on fundamentals of computer programming. Another new development is the creation of a Student Support Team, headed by Mutassim AwadAllah, Coordinator, LRC, to ensure students are offered individual support to succeed.
All new students took an Accuplacer (placement) test for department supervisors to place each of them in a level most suitable to their academic level in English, maths, science and computer skills.
Over 2,500 students have graduated from ABP since its inception in 2001.
This year, ABP welcomes three new faculty members from the UK, Uruguay/Italy and the US.
ABP has extended admissions deadline to August 13. Details can be found at www.abp.edu.qa or by emailing [email protected]
the peninsula
