Dr. Emad El Din Shahin, Interim Provost at HBKU
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation has reformulated its courses and adopted best virtual teaching and learning practices to be implemented in the new academic year 2020-2021, to align with COVID-19 restrictions.
The home grown graduate research-focused university has worked comprehensively to ensure that students will gain a multidimensional and quality learning experience in the challenging times, Dr. Emad El Din Shahin, Interim Provost at HBKU, told The Peninsula.
This academic year also marks the beginning of HBKU’s 10th anniversary milestone. “We are truly looking forward to this academic term, because of the very reason that it is unlike any other term in the institution’s history.
We have worked extensively over the summer to ensure our success in these unique times: professional faculty trainings in virtual course design and online delivery; reformulating all our courses for delivery online, on-site, or in a blended format; revising learning outcomes to better assess a blended course; and developing a library of guidelines and resources for online teaching to support our faculty,” said Dr. El Din Shahin, who is also the Dean of the College of Islamic Studies at HBKU.
“As a member of Quality Matters (QM), the international leader for quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments, we also are confident in our capacity to deliver a multidimensional learning experience,” he added.
HBKU has also ensured the safety of staff and students by implementing COVID-19 safety precautions.
“While the institution has ensured maintaining or even exceeding the quality of its deliverables this year, we are also very cognisant of an even greater responsibility that is ensuring the highest standards of safety for our staff, students, and the wider community,” said Dr. El Din Shahin.
“Measures have been taken in line with the government’s guidelines as well as directives by QF, with clear requirements for personal protective equipment, blocked seating in common spaces, Ehteraz app checkpoints, and the like. Our facility management team also has been trained in ensuring a safety and cleanliness protocol for our physical premises.”
“If anything the last few months have shown, it is that our challenges while steep are assuredly surmountable and we continue to put into action learned lessons along the way,” Dr. Shahin, added.
HBKU recently welcomed more than 360 newly enrolled students comprising 48 nationalities, 22 percent of which are Qatari nationals, for the academic year 2020-2021.
HBKU delivers multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs through its six colleges, and provides opportunities for research and scholarship through its institutes and centers.
“HBKU empowers its students by providing a world-class education complemented by a positive academic and cultural experience. This is not only reflected by the renowned experts that populate our colleges, but also our dynamic and growing portfolio of academic programs,” said Dr. El Din Shahin.
“HBKU has consistently demonstrated over the past decade that it has its finger on the pulse in terms of courses offered and their relevance to current and future challenges,” he added.
