CCQ registration open until August 18 Tuesday, 10 August 2010 02:14

The Community College of Qatar (CCQ) will continue to receive registration documents from the first group of selected full-time students until August 18, 2010, officials have announced.

The necessary documents including original Qatari ID, official high school diploma/certificate, and a health certificate should be submitted at the Information Centre on the first floor of the SEC building in Al Dafna, the officials said.

“We’re extremely happy with the diversity of the first group of students,” said CCQ Officials. “Both parents and their children received the results of the ACT tests and started the process of registering for classes.”

As previously announced, CCQ Admissions Office has assured all those who wish to join CCQ that Compass Placement test will be offered at CCQ beginning October 2010.

The CCQ officials emphasised that these were not pass/fail tests. They were tools to place students in classes in which they will be most successful. Students planning to take the tests are encouraged to improve their English and mathematics skills through study and visit the ACT Compass website — http://act.org/compass — for practice tests.

The time and location for those students who have already taken the tests and wish to re-take them will be announced at a later date.

The CCQ is the first community college in the region. It was established with the aim of providing distinctive educational opportunities as part of the state’s efforts to develop the education system in alignment with Qatar’s national vision 2030, which seeks to develop a highly trained and competitive workforce that will lead sustainable development efforts.

The CCQ plans to open to 300 new students in September 2010. It anticipates enrolment from students who need assistance with English and math for university studies; students who are working but would also like to go to college; students who need technical course work for a job or a better job; and students with degrees who wish to update their knowledge.

The CCQ will provide three degrees: Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Sciences — a two-year degree intended to provide education for work in primarily three areas initially — business, technology and energy.

“Community College is the first of its kind in Qatar to provide three degrees internationally recognised: Career Diploma in Arts, Diploma and Certificate in Science, and Diploma and Certificate in Applied Science. These certificates allow the holder to either join the labour market or continue his studies at the best universities within Qatar or abroad to obtain a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, chairman of the CCQ Steering Committee and the project’s director.

Houston Community College (HCC), according to a partnership agreement between the CCQ and HCC, will initially provide qualified staff and faculty while the CCQ is in development. The CCQ and HCC will work together to create the operating procedures, student policies and hiring practices for the community college. The partners will develop a curriculum designed specifically for Qatari students. Students attending the CCQ will have dual enrolment in HCC for Associate in Arts, Associate in Sciences and Associate in Applied Sciences degrees. Credits at CCQ will transfer to major universities from around the world.

“This partnership creates possibilities for students in Qatar as they have choices to further their studies in a number of prestigious universities in the USA and Qatar University and Education City after completing a two-year Associates degree at the CCQ,” said Al Naimi.