Doha: The College of the North Atlantic - Qatar (CNA-Q) will become a national Qatari college under Canadian supervision and will be headed by Dr Khalifa bin Nasser bin Khalifa, Dean of the College of Engineering of Qatar University, announced HE Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, the Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CNA-Q.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the CNA-Q graduation ceremony of 2018, the minister said that the College of the North Atlantic in Canada will continue to be responsible for the quality of education, academic supervision, certification and accreditation, while the college's management and internal organization will be by Qatari cadre. He pointed out that work is underway to prepare bachelor's programs in selected specialities required for the labour market in cooperation with various bodies in the country so that the qualifications are linked to the actual needs of the state.
HE Al Sada added that starting from next August, the college will be headed by Dr Khalifa bin Nasser Al Khalifa, adding he was officially appointed and is currently completing his transfer to his new job.
His Excellency pointed out that the idea of changing the name of the college has not been raised, and that it will retain its current name "the College of the North Atlantic". The educational programs will remain the same and nothing will change, he said, adding that the parent university will be contracted to intensify the academic support for the college in Qatar.
The CNA-Q currently offers 39 programs, he said, noting that the vast majority of students of the college are dispatched by entities working in industrial, commercial, economic and military sectors. All these sectors support their students who are studying in the college and they follow their scientific and academic progress regularly.
"We celebrated with nearly 450 graduates of batch 2018 in the presence and patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani," HE Al Sada said. Since its inception in 2002, the CNA-Q has graduated about 6,200 male and female graduates. Its first batch was graduated in 2005, all of them are working hard and sincerely and have been serving their country in all sectors of the state, especially in oil, gas, iron, petrochemicals, aluminium and others.
He stressed that the country is witnessing a qualitative leap thanks to the support and guidance of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who launched and sponsored Qatar National Vision 2030, made human being a central focus, and put development a priority and science a way of life. He added that this vision is being implemented on the ground by Qatar's various universities, schools and institutes in all disciplines.
HE Al Sada addressed the graduates and said that their graduation is a great achievement, and their hard work, determination, and commitment to their studies have come to fruition.
HE the minister added that their success will inspire their colleagues, families, and community, noting that they should be proud of themselves, as they deserve it. He said that their achievement today is the first stop in a wonderful life journey ahead of them, and the time they spent at CNA-Q was an excellent preparation to confidently move from the classroom to the real world of work.
President of CNA-Q Dr. Ken MacLeod expressed happiness and pride of the period he spent in the State of Qatar, pointing out that this year will be his last at the head of the College, where the college will be handed over to a new Qatari administration. He stressed that Qatar is among the successful countries and a major player in the world.
Dr. MacLeod attributed the renaissance witnessed by the State of Qatar to the insightful vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and before him HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. He also praised the role of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in bringing the best universities in the world to the State of Qatar and the role of graduates of these universities in achieving Qatar's vision and promoting it in all fields.
President of CNA-Q said that this college reflects the great partnership between Qatar and Canada in scientific and academic fields and in promoting the national industry because of its practical curricula, wishing the graduates success in their careers and achieving a better future for the State of Qatar and for themselves, especially since graduation is the beginning of a new journey and a turning point in their lives.
CNA-Q celebrated the graduation of one of the largest batches since its inception 16 years ago, as 450 students, half of whom are Qataris, graduated from more than 39 programs for two years and three years in four fields designed to meet the needs of the Qatari economy.
CNA-Q, through the School of Engineering Technology and Industrial Trades, offers a specialized industrial certificate, Technician Certificate, in partnership with Qatar Petroleum, which prepares students to work as technicians in Qatar's energy and industry sector.
HE Chairman of CNA-Q's Board of Trustees and Minister of Energy and Industry Dr. Mohammad bin Saleh Al Sada, HE Minister of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs Dr. Issa Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, HE Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labor for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada Allan Hawkins, HE Sudan's Minister of Justice Dr. Idris Ibrahim Jameel, and HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, in addition to a number of dignitaries and the families of graduates attended the graduation ceremony.
