DOHA: University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) held its 2015 convocation ceremony on Thursday at Qatar National Convention Center for its largest graduating class.
Eighty-four graduates awarded gold-standard Bachelor of Nursing (BN) and Master of Nursing (MN) degrees will provide high-quality nursing care to people in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Health Strategy.
Minister of Public Health H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani was present, along with university leaders, diplomats, academics, dignitaries and representatives of the Supreme Council of Health, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Primary Health Care Corporation and Sidra.
Dr Badriya Al Lenjawi, Assistant Executive Director of Nursing for Professional Development and Qatarisation, HMC, and a driving force behind the UCQ MN degree programme, delivered the address. The Class of 2015 was the largest of Qatari nationals, with 22 graduates. Fifty-one Qataris have now earned degrees from UCQ.
Nine graduates, all current nursing professionals, became the first in Qatar to earn an MN, marking a significant achievement for the country’s growing health sector.
“UCQ congratulates the graduates, who will champion and embody the noble ideals of the nursing profession in Qatar,” said Dr Robert Thirsk, Chancellor, UCQ.
“They will now join University of Calgary’s worldwide family of alumni, undertaking responsibilities of leadership and service while striving to provide excellent healthcare services to the people of Qatar.”
To date, 225 graduates have earned BN degrees and nine have graduated from MN programme, bringing UCQ’s community of alumni to 234 trained healthcare professionals. Over 600 students are registered in BN and MN programmes.
Bachelor of Nursing Gold Medallion recipient Stephany Tapa Neng and Post Diploma Bachelor of Nursing Silver Medallion Recipient Monaa Mansoora were named winners of UCQ’s highest academic distinctions.
Mashael Jassim, first Qatari to graduate from MN programme who also delivered the Graduate’s Pledge, was also recognised.
UCQ offers two paths to a BN degree — a four-year programme for qualified high school graduates, and a two-year programme for nurses holding diplomas in nursing from recognised institutions.
The university also offers two MN programmes: A MN in Oncology, created with HMC to support the National Cancer Strategy, and the MN in Leadership programme, in collaboration with Qatar’s nursing community to further develop leaders in the profession.
The university’s programmes are open to Qataris and residents.
The Peninsula
