UDST to transform higher education landscape in Qatar and beyond

The University of Doha For Science and Technology (UDST) is set to transform the higher education scenario by providing vast opportunities for students in Qatar and the region, especially in applied and vocational programmes.The first applied national university and the second national university in Qatar, UDST is also an embodiment of the country’s vision of becoming a knowledge economy with market-ready graduates equipped with various skillsets and enduring capabilities. UDST also complements the other universities in the country in realising the human capital potentials of the country. Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the announcement ceremony of the university, HE Dr Mohammed bin Saleh al-Sada, chairman of the UDST Board of Trustees and former Energy Minister, said the institution is well placed to transform the country’s educational scenario. “We are open to collaborations with national and international organisations and institutes. Research is a strong arm of the university and we hope our collaborations will lead to great outputs.“The activities of UDST are meant to achieve human, social and economic development in the country. The university will graduate highly qualified professionals that will lead Qatar towards becoming an advanced society capable of sustainable development, as stated in Qatar National Vision 2030,” he added.With over 50 Applied Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree programmes in addition to diplomas that fall under four main streams: Engineering Technology and Industrial Trades, Business Management, Computing and Information Technology, and Health Sciences, UDST offers a world of options for students. With some of its programmes so advanced such as the bachelors in Data and Cyber Security’ Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Applied Business Administration in Banking and Financial Technology, Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy, and Applied Science in Medical Radiography among others, UDST is one of the best options for applied sciences and technology not only in Qatar but in the entire region and beyond.UDST president Dr Salem bin Nasser Al-Naemi told Gulf Times that the mandate for the university is to make the graduates market and industry ready. “We have state of the art facilities and all our programmes are internationally accredited. With world class faculty and cutting edge programmes, we shape well qualified and highly skilled graduates who can contribute to the development of the country.Dr Al-Naemi had told in an earlier interview that the university aims to attract students from other countries in the region and beyond. He remarked: “We have the best infrastructure, for an applied university, some of the most advanced programmes and we have aligned all our programmes with the evolving technology. UDST aims to meet the educational need of students and the requirements of the growing economy locally and globally, and will constantly develop to consolidate its position as one of the most prominent international universities. We are offering our programmes with highest level of proficiency and all our programmes are internationally accredited. This gives the students an extra advantage compared to many of the other universities.”He also stated that the university gives research high priority through its Applied Research and Innovation Centre that supports research and innovation through strengthening technical and vocational learning, policy, and practice. Furthermore, UDST has a pre-incubation hub launched in partnership with Qatar Development Bank that assists all entrepreneurial students, alumni to tap into the innovation ecosystem.With Qatar University continuing to scale greater heights and is consecutively being placed high in various international rankings and Qatar Foundation’s Education City changing the face of education in the country and thriving with its own homegrown university and several international partner universities, UDST complements one another and makes the higher education landscape of the country more competitive and attractive. While graduates will have a number of choices with some of the most advanced programmes, Qatar is set to be the torchbearer of applied and technical education in the region and beyond.