The Community College of Qatar (CCQ) hosted yesterday the Second Annual International Learning and Civic Engagement Symposium, under the title "Nurturing Community Engagement through Integration, Innovation and Impact". The Symposium was attended by members of the CCQ Board of Trustees, CCQ President Dr.Ibrahim Al Naimi and CCQ Dean Dr Abdallah Hazaimeh, as well as local and international educational leaders, scholars and researchers in the fields of learning and civic engagement.
In his opening speech, Dr Ibrahim Al Naimi stressed the importance of the Symposium in raising awareness and involvement in learning and civic engagement; promoting collaboration among students, faculty, and the community as they are inspired to establish more learning engagement programs in Qatar and beyond; and sharing experiences and best practices in learning and civic engagement.
This year’s Symposium attracted civic engagement thought leaders and researchers with a keynote address by Dr Eduardo Padrَn, President of the largest community college in the United States, Miami Dade College in Florida, and who was recently awarded the prestigious US Presidential Medal of Freedom, for being a prominent national voice for access and inclusion in higher education. The event will also bring together presenters from North America, Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Arab world, augmenting its global impact.
Various important topics related to civic engagement were covered through the Symposium sessions, including Community Engagement for the Public Good, Community Engaged Teaching and Learning, Impactful Experiences Abroad, and the Role of Information Technology in Civic Engagement”. The sessions also explored the best practices in civic engagement and service learning.
The First International Learning and Civic Engagement Symposium was held under the theme of “High Impact Learning Engagement Practices Beyond the Classroom Experience”, as part of CCQ's ongoing effort to promote and sustain learning and civic engagement programs in the MENA region.
