NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original Source: www.gulf-times.com, 29th August 2012

 

Almost 500 new students and parents attended the five-day orientation programme hosted by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) for its first-year students.

 

 

The event, which marked the transition from secondary to tertiary education, was met with an overwhelmingly positive response from the participants. This year’s orientation was the first to which parents were also invited. Jamil Karam, director of Student Life, said: “Because transitioning to college is a significant milestone in the life of a student and his or her family, we revamped our new student orientation programme this year to include sessions for parents and family members. 

 

“One of these sessions, entitled ‘What to expect from College Life’, aimed at exposing new students and family members to the HBKU model and educational philosophy, introducing them to university resources and available support services.” 
On the final day of festivities, HBKU students participated in the “partner university orientation”, followed by a dinner and reception, as well as a “Cultural Fest” where students showcased their culture, country and people. A spokesperson said: “The university not only prides itself in being a hub of learning and excellence; it also believes it is a multicultural platform, bringing people from various nationalities and backgrounds together.” HBKU’s current students are a diverse group that is 40% Qatari, with the rest being international students, mainly from the GCC region.  

 

 

 

HBKU is committed to creating a community and engaging with its students in both the short and long term, according to Dr Katherine L Wildman, assistant director of Housing and Residence Life. She observed that in one of the final sessions of the day, new students made a commitment to leave their mark on HBKU – from staying committed to homework and studies, to getting involved with clubs and organisations. “Students were energetic, engaged and ready to start their HBKU tenure. It always amazes me how motivated students are to gain knowledge and skills in order to aid progress and development in their own countries. I am thankful to be a part of their excitement, development and growth.” HBKU points to its annual YaHala Event, now in its 6th year, as a clear indication of how successful each of its initiatives has been.

 

 

 

 

The YaHala festivities, in which all of the university’s first-year students are invited to take part, are an evening of fun, surprises, memories and great food. YaHala, based on the key notion that students are part of a larger HBKU community, will take place on the 1st of September, and will be the finale of the orientation. Ameena Hussain, HBKU’s Student Centre director expressed her pride in the effort the HBKU Student Affairs team, mainly Student Life, which has put together the orientation programme.