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qatar university foundation program
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wilberforce wrote:
(my wife has gone away for a week or so so I have time to kill)

That explains your time for surfing up all these articles. Laughing

VS
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idaho_potato



Joined: 09 Feb 2012
Posts: 57

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

On its way out? Hmmm.
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stickleback



Joined: 01 Jul 2008
Posts: 76

PostPosted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The place is in a mess - nobody knows what is going on. Apparently the people on the top floor are not part of the decision making team. The Taskforce makes the decisions and informs the admin group. This shows a lack of respect for the people who have been running the show. They have made mistakes, that's true, but a policy of exclusion???? This is not the way to start a new program. Even if you're on a committee, the Taskforce 3 people make the decisions; they only pay lip-service to the comments and advice of their committees because they have the licence to do whatever they want. So it is being said.

To any new candidates, I would think twice about accepting a job here. There is bound to be a lot of chaos in the coming year. Students will not be happy to learn they have to do crammer courses.
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battleshipb_b



Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 189

PostPosted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Last minute make-overs are nothing new in this region. It will all get straightened out in the end - the rush time factor is probably the main problem.
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is terribly similar to the situation between UAEU and HCT a couple years back where the Ministry suddenly informed UAEU that the Foundations program was done as of now, and all the students would take their courses at the various HCT branches. Actually a sensible, practical idea, but it is something that would require at least a couple years transition, not as of this week. Rolling Eyes It caused such an uproar that they backtracked... after a semester or two of chaos.

This change should hold as it is within one institution and for the most part, a needed change. That said, everyone hates change - students and teachers - and it will take a year or two before all the dust settles.

VS
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landcruzer



Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Posts: 26

PostPosted: Fri May 04, 2012 12:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This seems to corroborate some views that things are in a mess.

Quote:
QU asks students to re-enrol for foundation programmes Thursday, 03 May 2012 03:06

DOHA: Qatar University has called for re-enrolment for students who did not meet the completion requirements of the Foundation Programme. The announcement has been made in line with plans to implement the decision of Supreme Education Council to practice Arabic language as the medium of instruction at the Qatar University.

Only students who were previously enrolled in Foundation Art, Foundation Business and Foundation Law are eligible to activate their enrolment through the online application available on the QU website. The deadline for re-application is May 17. Students from other colleges, or those who were academically dismissed, are not eligible to apply for re-enrolment.
Students are advised that re-enrolment applications submitted after May 17 will not be accepted. Those who wish to apply after the deadline to activate their QU records, will be required to apply as new students. QU�s Student Call Centre will receive students� calls and respond to questions regarding the re-enrollment process, and can be reached during working hours on 4403-4444, said a statement yesterday.

The Supreme Education Council in a decision in January this year said that Arabic Language shall be the medium of instruction at the Qatar University (QU).

However, in March the university in its undergraduate admission competency requirements stated that all students are expected to possess minimum basic skills in order to be eligible for enrolment in their desired academic programs. In order to be considered for Undergraduate admission to Qatar University, all applicants, with the exception of students applying to the Colleges of Arts, Business and Economics, Education, Law, and Shariah, must demonstrate proficie ncy in English and Mathematics, by satisfying the g minimum competency requirements as set by the University. Applicants who fail to satisfy the minimum English and Mathematics competencies will be considered for admission to the Foundation Programme and will be placed in their relevant levels based on their English and Maths Accuplacer test scores. Foundation Programme students are required to pass English and Math courses with a grade of 70 percent or higher in order to be enrolled in their Undergraduate college programme.

The Peninsula
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landcruzer



Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Posts: 26

PostPosted: Fri May 04, 2012 1:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

stickleback wrote:
The place is in a mess - nobody knows what is going on. Apparently the people on the top floor are not part of the decision making team. The Taskforce makes the decisions and informs the admin group. This shows a lack of respect for the people who have been running the show. They have made mistakes, that's true, but a policy of exclusion???? This is not the way to start a new program. Even if you're on a committee, the Taskforce 3 people make the decisions; they only pay lip-service to the comments and advice of their committees because they have the licence to do whatever they want. So it is being said.

.


I ran into a QU teacher the other day and his comments were more or less the same. People are anxious and worried about the new program and secrecy. He said even the head is not being informed of decisions. It sounds scary.
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mesquite



Joined: 04 Jan 2009
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2012 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If there isn't any transparency, it will go downhill.

They should take the advice of ABP at Qatar Foundation. While I wasn't very happy working there, at least they did a good job with a very good program.
Instead of having newbies and people who have never worked in the Gulf before making major decisions, they should consult the ABP team and find out why they are a success. It makes sense. People who don't even teach on the foundation program are making decisions? How dumb!

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=505442&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
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mesquite



Joined: 04 Jan 2009
Posts: 80

PostPosted: Mon May 21, 2012 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

QU Foundation Programme gets new look

DOHA: Qatar University (QU) yesterday unveiled the new structure of its Foundation Programme that does not require minimum scores in IELTS or TOEFL proficiency tests.A passing score of 70 percent in the Foundation Programme will allow students to enroll in their respective college or programme.The new structure follows the recent decision by the Supreme Education Council (SEC) making Arabic language as the medium of instruction at the University. The decision also abolished the Foundation Programme in all programmes that are being taught in Arabic.QU Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Dr Sheikha bint Jabor Al Thani outlined details of the new structure which reduces the Foundation Programme to one year instead of two, starting Fall 2012. Al Thani explained that the new Program is structured on Levels 1-4, and will be divided into four 9-week sessions, with an additional 6-week summer session if needed.

Its focus will be on improving students� language and mathematics skills. A dynamic intensive English component that is attuned to individual student needs forms part of the new structure, while the computer component will be eliminated as ICT skills will be integrated into all student learning experiences at QU, she added.The Program will be student-centered and project-based, with a focus on creativity, engaging students in tasks and activities that not only spark their motivation, but are related to their prospective field of specialization and to the Core Curriculum Program (CCP).The CCP is aimed at the acquisition of skills and competencies in general knowledge, communication, research, critical thinking, ethics and civic responsibility, and appreciation of identity and cultural diversity.The teaching philosophy of the new Program advocates interactive, communicative, and collaborative strategies of teaching and learning, Dr Al-Thani said.

To achieve this, class size will be reduced to 16 students per class for Levels 1 and 2, and 20 per class for Levels 3 and 4, and allowed class absence will be reduced from 25 per cent to 10 per cent.She further stated that students� duration of study can be shortened, as the new structure has a flexible built-in mechanism that caters to individual learning needs and facilitates movement from one level to the next based on individual progress. Current students will be transitioned into the new structure based on the level they would be moving on to at the start of Fall 2012..
The Peninsula

This nine week thing will be problematic. How can they hope to teach students properly when they run crammer courses?

Crammers are not the answer. Solid groundwork is.
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blastermill



Joined: 30 Aug 2011
Posts: 101

PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One of the biggest problems here is the Qatari students' feeling of
'entitlement'. While prospective university students in most other countries work hard to gain ambition to university and accept the fact that tertiary studies are a privilege but a privilege they have to earn. Students in the secondary schools are inadequately prepared for university standards and unfortunately QU Foundation program has taken the rap for a school system which inflates grades and pushes students through. There is a need for more vocational training - even now many university graduates here are unemployed and have a hard time finding a job in the field they trained in. There need to be more respect for technical careers. Not everybody can sit behind a big desk and command dozens of people - this is what most students want - they don't understand the notion of meritocracy!
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battleshipb_b



Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 189

PostPosted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

blastermill wrote:
One of the biggest problems here is the Qatari students' feeling of
'entitlement'. While prospective university students in most other countries work hard to gain ambition to university and accept the fact that tertiary studies are a privilege but a privilege they have to earn. Students in the secondary schools are inadequately prepared for university standards and unfortunately QU Foundation program has taken the rap for a school system which inflates grades and pushes students through. There is a need for more vocational training - even now many university graduates here are unemployed and have a hard time finding a job in the field they trained in. There need to be more respect for technical careers. Not everybody can sit behind a big desk and command dozens of people - this is what most students want - they don't understand the notion of meritocracy!


The same goes for students in the Magic Kingdom. Now that people have to do more menial jobs (even work in shops); there is some attitude change there but as long as they can be absorbed by the police & military, they will continue with this attitude of entitlement. Things are different on the other coast - in Jeddah - students are more hardworking but then again, most of them are of Yemeni or Hijazi origin so they are somewhat different from the Khaleej students - in some cases.
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battleshipb_b



Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 189

PostPosted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 1:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Word is out that the new QU foundation program is reported to be a big flop. The new noncredit 4 eight week sessions have been canceled as they didn�t work. That was in the cards as any experienced teacher could have predicted. The timetable didn�t match the university calendar and it is pretty difficult to cram a one semester course into 8 weeks. Students weren�t too happy with it either according to a student who dropped out in January. He is going to study in KSA as he thinks it will be more suitable for his needs whatever they are.

The foundation is going back to a semester system; instead of the 4 course 2 year program they used to have; they will have a 2 course one year, 2 semester program. I wonder how that will pan out?

Students report the old foundation program (pre 2013) was much better and a lot of students feel that they are only being thrown information instead of being taught because the teachers have such a crammed curriculum. You can�t blame the teachers if they have to squeeze everything into a few weeks. Students need time to absorb things, you can just throw it at them and expect them to regurgitate. That is now how language learning takes place as all those experts there should know.
This reduced coursework system did not work very well in KSA.


They now have a new undergraduate credit English program for all the students who are in the Arabic language degree courses; they have to take 4 compulsory credit English courses in order to graduate. This kind of program is standard in the Magic Kingdom.

The post-graduate program has also come under flack for pressuring students and not being realistic. I don�t know much about this as I don�t know anyone who has worked in this program but apparently they waste a lot of time on teaching students how to write reference lists instead of teaching them how to write.

All students care about is getting through the program so they can get to their major. I think this is a global student attitude, very few really care about content � they want grades even if they haven�t done much to deserve them. So what else is new in the teaching world? MY Saudi students are exactly the same - they just want to get marks and move on!
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