Ulster University (UU) has launched a branch campus in Qatar in partnership with City College, it has been announced.
The partnership/ branch campus was officially launched during a ceremony in Doha on February 12.
Attending the launch were key figures from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, ambassadors, representatives from the British embassy, prominent businesspersons, school heads, counsellors and parents.
In his welcoming speech, Ewan Scott, principal of City College, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying: “It is a great honour and privilege to welcome Ulster University’s rich academic and cultural history to Qatar.
This partnership is adherent to Qatar National Vision 2030 in the development of a skills-based economy.”
Welcoming the partnership, Dr Khalid al-Ali, assistant undersecretary for Education and director of Higher Education Institutions, said: “We are proud to have Ulster University in Qatar because it is one of the top universities in terms of ranking and quality of teaching.”
On his part, British ambassador Ajay Sharma said the announcement of the partnership between City College Qatar and Ulster University is an excellent example of the strong co-operation between the UK and Qatar in the education sector.
This partnership “will benefit both countries and allow us to continue developing our educational partnerships in the future”, he stressed.
Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan, deputy vice-chancellor (Research and External Affairs) at Ulster University, noted: “The opening of a branch campus in Qatar for Ulster represents a significant milestone in our internationalisation agenda.
We very much look forward to working with City College in their efforts to develop a skills-based economy as part of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Through our presence in Qatar, we will share our business expertise, quality teaching and innovation to deliver the future business leaders of Doha and beyond.”
Professor Jackie McCoy, associate dean — Global Engagement at Ulster University’s Business School, added: “Ulster University is recognised as a critical driver of the regional economy in Northern Ireland and our new branch campus in Qatar will provide students with the skills and knowledge to fuel public and private sector organisations to drive the regional economy in Qatar.
The range of business degree courses on offer, including our International Foundation Programme and BSc (Hons) Business Studies. will be available to students from September 2020.”
Ulster University is an institution with a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement, making a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of the UK.
Its business school is the sixth largest business school in the UK and ranks seventh for research impact.
Students can now obtain their business degree from Ulster University while studying in Qatar; they have access to Ulster’s online resources, faculty and a privilege to spend a semester abroad at one of Ulster’s campuses in Northern Ireland.
Ulster University Qatar will welcome its first cohort in September 2020, with plans to move to its new campus to Lusail by 2021.
Dignitaries mark the occasion.
