01 Apr 2018 – 12:11
The Peninsula
DOHA: Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) has celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Foundation Program, designed to help students achieve success in its medical programme.
The Foundation Program was launched by WCM-Q in 2007, specifically to develop the skills of those from traditional educational backgrounds who are academically gifted but may not be ready for the transition from high school to university.
The programme essentially acts as a bridge between high school and university for those wanting to study medicine.
On March 28, the 10th anniversary celebration of the programme was held at Hamad bin Khalifa University Student Center in front of an audience of faculty, students and staff.
Dr. Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCM-Q, said the Foundation Program was launched to support Qatari students to succeed on the medical programme and realise their full potential.
Dr. Sheikh, said: “Weill Cornell Medicine is an Ivy League school and holds its students, faculty, and staff to truly world-class standards. In order to help prepare talented and motivated local students to achieve those exceptionally high standards, we went into Qatar’s high schools and identified students who were interested in careers in the health professions.
“We then created the conditions in which they could learn math, science and English and so be ready for the rigor of the six-year medical programme. The programme has led to more Qatari physicians graduating and so more Qatari doctors who are working in and making a very valuable contribution to the healthcare landscape of the country.”
“Through the Foundation Program we are also creating additional human capacity within the Qatari healthcare system and helping to graduate Qatari doctors who are working in – and improving – the medical landscape of their home country. They are acting as role models for the younger generation and contributing to the dissemination of best medical practice, so adding to Qatar’s ever-expanding knowledge economy.”
