ID :
389315
Sat, 11/28/2015 - 16:16
Auther :

UCQ Celebrates its Largest Graduating Class of Current and Future Nursing Professionals

Doha, November 28 (QNA) - University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ), Qatar's exclusive provider of nursing education, celebrated its largest-ever graduating class at its 2015 Convocation ceremony. UCQs 84 graduates, who were awarded the universitys gold-standard Bachelor of Nursing (BN) and Master of Nursing (MN) degrees, will provide high-quality nursing care to Qatars people in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Health Strategy. UCQ's sixth Convocation, which took place at Qatar National Convention Centre, commemorated several important milestones. The Class of 2015 was the largest graduating class of Qatari nationals, with 22 Qatari graduates. Fifty-one Qatari nationals have now earned degrees from UCQ. Nine of the UCQ graduates, all current nursing professionals, became the first in Qatar to earn an MN, marking a significant achievement for the countrys growing health sector. "The University of Calgary congratulates these graduates, who will champion and embody the noble ideals of the nursing profession here in Qatar," said Dr. Robert Thirsk, Chancellor of the University of Calgary. "They will now join the University of Calgarys worldwide family of alumni, undertaking the responsibilities of leadership and service while together striving to provide excellent healthcare services to the people of Qatar". To date, 225 graduates have earned BN degrees from UCQ, while nine have graduated from UCQs MN program, bringing UCQs community of alumni to 234 highly trained health care professionals. Over 600 students are currently registered in UCQs BN and MN programs. Convocation was attended by Qatars Minister of Public Health, HE Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani. He was joined by University of Calgary 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 Qatarization for HMC and a driving force behind the UCQ MN degree program, delivered the convocation address. "Since opening in the fall of 2007, at the invitation of the State of Qatar, the University of Calgary in Qatar has been the only university in Qatar to educate nurses for the nations expanding healthcare system", UCQ Dean and CEO Dr. Kim Critchley noted. "Tonight, we honor these students for their academic achievements and look forward to the positive contribution they, as members of UCQs largest graduating class, will make to the achievement of Qatars health goals". At the event, Bachelor of Nursing Gold Medallion recipient Stephany Tapa Neng and Post Diploma Bachelor of Nursing Silver Medallion Recipient Monaa Mansoora were announced as winners of UCQs highest academic distinctions. Mashael Jassim, the first Qatari to graduate from UCQs MN program who also delivered the Graduates Pledge was also recognized. UCQ offers two paths to a BN degree - a four-year program for qualified high school graduates, and a two-year program for nurses holding diplomas in nursing from recognized institutions. The University also offers two MN programs: a MN in Oncology, created with HMC in order to support the National Cancer Strategy, and the MN in Leadership program, designed in collaboration with Qatars nursing community to further develop leaders in the profession. The universitys programs are open to Qatari nationals and residents. (QNA)

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