Qatar University (QU) and ExxonMobil sent a group of educators to Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy in Houston, Texas, this summer for a second consecutive year.
The six educators, including two teachers from Qatar’s Independent schools and four staff members from QU’s National Centre for Educator Development, spent the week learning new methods and tools to help bring science and mathematics to life for primary schoolchildren.
These educators will be joined by three instructors from the United States to run a similar programme for teachers in Qatar from November 23 to 28. Qatar University ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is the only edition of the original Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy to be held internationally. Its main objective is to empower teachers with knowledge and tools that make science and maths exciting subjects for students.  
“Our faculty who attended the US academy came back with a new perspective on teaching maths and science that will hopefully foster enthusiasm in classrooms across Qatar this Fall. We are very excited for the second edition of Qatar University ExxonMobil Teachers Academy,” said Dr Hissa Sadiq, dean of College of Education at QU.
“ExxonMobil and Qatar University recognise that our world depends on innovations in science and technology. In order to keep up with the advancements that will be needed for future generations, we have to start with our children,” said Abdullatif al-Naemi, national development manager for ExxonMobil Qatar.
Hissa Abdulaziz al-Beqaishi, a mathematics department head at Al Wakrah and Wukair Independent School for Girls, attended Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy this summer.
“The workshops and experiments brought me closer to the subjects I teach and gave me a new perspective on how to reach my students,” Hissa said.
“I am now challenged to take what I have learned and apply it in my school. I am thankful for the opportunity given to me at the academy and humbled to help share this experience with other teachers in Qatar through Qatar University ExxonMobil Teachers Academy.”