Doha, April 30 (QNA) - Acting Provost and Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Dr. Ala Al Fuqaha, said that the university is preparing to celebrate the graduation of approximately 325 students from various undergraduate and graduate programs this year, the largest graduating class since its founding.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al Fuqaha explained that this achievement reflects the university's continued growth and the expansion of its academic programs, as well as the growing confidence of students and parents in the quality of education and opportunities offered by the university.

He emphasized the university's commitment to building sustainable relationships with its graduates through effective communication programs and events that enhance their professional networks. He also stressed the university's commitment to providing opportunities for continuous professional development through counseling and guidance services and collaboration with university partners to facilitate integration into the job market and the completion of graduate studies.

Regarding cooperation with government and private entities to provide job opportunities for graduates, Dr. Al Fuqaha explained that there is close and ongoing cooperation with these entities to provide training and employment opportunities for graduates. He noted that the university holds monthly meetings with local institutions and shares weekly opportunities with graduates, whether for jobs or training programs.

He pointed out that the university organizes field visits for students to familiarize them with various work environments and provides them with vocational training opportunities in cooperation with its partners in the public and private sectors. Additionally, it organizes regular job fairs to support students in their early careers.

The Acting Provost urged graduates to make the most of practical training opportunities and participate in research projects in cooperation with various entities. He emphasized the importance of keeping pace with modern trends in various sectors and the need to continuously develop personal and professional skills, as this plays a role in enhancing their readiness for the job market or pursuing graduate studies with confidence and distinction.

Concerning sectors that are most attractive to graduates, Dr. Al Fuqaha noted that the College of Science and Engineering is witnessing significant demand, particularly in the fields of scientific research and postdoctoral positions. Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity are also receiving increasing attention due to their growing importance in the country and the support they receive from relevant authorities, making them among the most prominent fields of the future, opening up broad horizons for graduates to contribute to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.

He added that HBKU enjoys a unique position that enables it to focus on research and entrepreneurship. Most of its programs are offered at the graduate level and include three main research institutes, providing students with outstanding opportunities to engage in research.

He pointed out that the university supports student and faculty research through internal research grants and travel funds, seeks external research grants, and provides an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports innovation and integrates with other entities affiliated with the Qatar Foundation, such as Qatar Science and Technology Park.

Dr. Al Fuqaha noted a significant increase in the number of students enrolled in graduate programs, attributing this to the expansion of academic programs and the advanced research environment, in addition to international partnerships that contribute to attracting more local and international students.

He also explained that the university offers over 40 academic programs in various fields, including artificial intelligence, sustainability, public policy, health sciences, engineering, and Islamic finance, confirming that new specializations will be introduced soon.

In relation to future plans to develop academic programs, Dr. Al Fuqaha said that the labor market now requires graduates with applicable skills such as leadership, entrepreneurship, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. He emphasized that the future of higher education lies in providing high-quality programs that achieve these outcomes, especially in light of the rapid changes caused by technological advancements and the changing needs of the labor market.

He expressed that the university prides itself on its multidisciplinary approach and will continue to offer programs in the coming period that combine the fields of social sciences, health sciences, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, economics, Islamic studies, law, and public policy.

HBKU Acting Provost concluded his remarks to QNA by saying that among the key challenges facing higher education institutions at the regional and global levels is the slow response to technological developments, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, in addition to the mismatch between graduates' skills and labor market needs, and the excessive focus on theoretical knowledge without providing students with practical skills applicable in the professional context. (QNA)