Art and Medicine: A Collaborative Project Between Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar

Four faculty researchers, two from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, and two from Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar developed a one semester workshop-based course in Qatar exploring the connections between art and medicine in a contemporary context. Students (6 art / 6 medicine) were enrolled in the course. The course included presentations by clinicians, medical engineers, artists, computing engineers, an art historian, a graphic designer, a painter, and other experts from the fields of art, design, and medicine. To measure the student experience of interdisciplinarity, the faculty researchers employed a mixed methods approach involving psychometric tests and observational ethnography. Data instruments included pre- and post-course semi-structured audio interviews, pre-test / post-test psychometric instruments (Budner Scale and Torrance Tests of Creativity), observational field notes, self-reflective blogging, and videography. This book describes the course and the experience of the students. It also contains images of the interdisciplinary work they created for a culminating class exhibition. Finally, the book provides insight on how different fields in a Middle Eastern context can share critical /analytical thinking tools to refine their own professional practices

Stakeholder Perception of Service Quality in Qatar Higher Education Institutions: An Application to Qatar University

Managing quality of services offered by institutions of higher education is important in any country due to the inherent aim of producing quality graduates from programs offered in the university. Qatar has made substantial investments in higher education. Qatar University, being the national university of the country, the perception of stakeholders on the service quality in education becomes an important factor for developing a quality education system. Therefore, the main goal of this thesis is studying the perceptual context of quality of services provided by higher education institutions among the students in Qatar University. A research framework is developed for quality assessment with seven hypotheses that are commonly used in the literature. A survey with 65 instruments was used for gathering the required data for the analysis. The results presented here are based on survey response of 397 students. Seven dimensions (determinants) of services quality were identified in this study: the original dimensions of the SERVQUAL namely, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and tangibles, and; two additional dimensions image and culture/value. The results proved significant positive association between the provided services quality and students' loyalty. Finally, the findings indicated that there are no statistically significant differences in the perception of services quality based on the students' demographic variables (gender, age, nationality, and education level).In terms of perceptions, the analysis showed that the provided services of the university falls short of meeting the students' expectations. The finding indicates that, in order to provide quality education in Qatar University, expectation of student's needs should be carefully understood and addressed. Management also needs to consider factors such as corporate image and culture/value when measuring service quality. Although there is a limitation in the responses as the outcome of this study is based on the survey of students, this nevertheless provides an attempt to study services quality in Qatar education sector. The findings of this thesis is expected to help filling the literature gaps by providing empirical knowledge on quality of services assessment and customer's satisfaction in higher education

Determinants of College and University Choice for High-School Students in Qatar

Drawing on existing research, this paper investigates various predictors of high school students’ college and university choice decisions in Qatar. Based on a 2015 survey of 1,427 participants, this study utilized exploratory factor analysis to identify variables that affect student choice of higher educational institutions (HEI). Three factors were extracted from the analysis, revealing the following aspects of the academic experience as important when choosing a HEI: quality of education, cultural values, and the cost of education. To further the understanding of the relevance of these factors for different student demographics, we employed ordinal logistic regression to test whether several independent variables (student’s gender, nationality, parental education, and parental occupation) act as significant predictors of the three extracted dimensions (dependent variables). The analysis revealed that, indeed, demographic characteristics significantly predict, to varying degrees, all three factors affecting student’s HEI choice. Discussion on postulated reasons behind the recorded relationships will follow, along with implications and recommendations for further study and research. Findings of this study will help HEIs in Qatar and the broader region to position themselves more effectively, and develop targeted strategies that attract a diverse student population

SELF-REGULATED LEARNING STRATEGIES AND COLLABORATION PREFERENCES WHEN WORKING IN PROJECT TEAMS: A CASE STUDY OF QATARI COLLEGE STUDENTS

This study has investigated the nature of the strategies used and explored views on collaboration among Qatari tertiary students during their initial experiences in a project-based learning (PBL) environment. Theoretically, this study was embedded in a constructivist approach to learning and involves self-regulated and collaborative learning theories. Empirically, 21 students in their first term of a foundation program at the Community College of Qatar were interviewed about project teams’ personal learning experience. Qualitative approach using interviews, identified patterns in the reported strategies students use in project teams and their perceptions of collaboration. Findings problematized the assumption that students coming from an educational background where lectures and individual work have been prioritized may not be able to naturally know how to collaborate in a team in PBL context. Findings have implications in education to promote project-based learning design for tertiary students in Arabic educational contexts

it’s time to shape up

The launch of "Qatar University Research Magazine" marks the university's numerous achievements in the field of scientific research. It will also serve as a platform to highlight all our research related initiatives and activities carried out by the various research centers and colleges within the university

Understanding Influencers of College Major Decision: The UAE Case

This study aims to understand and analyze what influences female students to choose a college major in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). To accomplish our target, we conducted a survey with mostly female first-year undergraduate students (N = 496) at Zayed University to understand the personal, social, and financial factors influencing students’ major choices. Further, this study also asked students to specify their actions before deciding on their major and assessed the information that could be helpful for future students to decide on their majors. Last, the study investigated how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students differ from other students in their major decision. The results show that financial factors such as income and business opportunities related to the major are crucial. Further, gender suitability for the job and passion are influential. Students conduct internet searches, use social media, and read brochures in the process of major decisions. Moreover, students think job alignment with the UAE vision and information related to job availability, income, and skills are critical for future students to decide on their major. Finally, STEM students are more influenced by business opportunities, prestige, and career advancement than others

Impact of Innovative Learning Environment Based on Research Activities on Secondary School Student's Attitude Towards Research and Their Self-Efficacy.

Advanced and free learning environment coupled with the creative learning activities is assumed to be a motivational variable. In the present study, we applied an innovative learning strategy involving students in order to achieve positive impact on their attitude towards science, desire to learn science and future career choices. The study experiment was focused on enhancing the research skills of the students; apply knowledge for solving real world problems, positively changing the students’ attitude towards science, raising students’ self-efficacy and enhance positivism toward science related subjects. This research assumes that if the attitude and perception of post-secondary students is changed and made positive about science, then they might choose to study related science subjects forexample, mathematics, engineering and science at university level studies. Therefore, it will also impact students’ career choices after university studies and they might enter scientific careers. Our study focused on evaluating various changes in the attitude, desire and self-efficacy of participating students when traditional instruction is replaced through the innovative learning environment. A total of 120 students participated in our experiment where researchers assisted students to experience hands on different research activities. Pre and posttest were used to evaluate the change in students’ attitude and desire towards science, knowledge and self-efficacy. The study results have shown that significant changes in the performance of students’ for-example, student noticed positive attitude towards their own research abilities, desire to learn science, self-efficacy, learning and career choices. However, results did not show any differences based on gender as such.Qatar Universit

Exploring the Impact on Students of Western Universities on Foreign Soil: A Case Study of Qatar

The development of branch campuses in higher education is not a new phenomenon. Over the past decades, however, branch campuses have expanded throughout the world as Western universities have begun to deliver their programs and course offerings in countries that expect the West to provide educational (and, by implication, economic) success. Middle Eastern countries in particular have rapidly expanded the number of Western-style branch campuses for native students in their countries. This qualitative research study focused on one specific Middle Eastern country, Qatar, and explored how native students respond to attending a Western university that has been transplanted from the West into their country. This case study/cross case research investigated what is leading native students in Qatar to attend one of the branch campuses of American universities that have been established in their country. The study also explored the impact of this decision on the students\u27 social lives and religious beliefs, as well as what motivates them to remain in school. At a more general level, the study explored how students have integrated Western values encountered while attending the universities with their own family traditions and religious beliefs. Individual student interviews, a focus group, and administrator interviews were the primary methods of data collection, and a cross case analysis was conducted to discover patterns that cut across the individual cases. This study offers insight into motivating factors that led students to choose study at one of the Western universities in Doha, Qatar. Participants described how family influenced their decisions about where to study, and expressed concern about outside influences potentially affecting their culture and beliefs. The study also examined how students describe their educational experience, and the resulting themes focused on factors of influence that contributed to student success, including the effects of a mixed-gender environment, changes in societal and familial beliefs, and participation in extra-curricular activities. Students also considered adjustments related to their educational experience, especially with how they cope with personal cultural changes within an academic setting. Along with changes in perception about their university experience, students considered adjustments to study habits and time management in order to be successful within their chosen academic program

Beyond Service Attributes: Do Personal Values Matter?

Purpose – Service firms constantly look for ways to differentiate their offering. Recently, personal values have emerged as a way to understand how customers fulfill deeper needs when consuming a service. This paper aims to examine how personal values operate in the evaluation of higher education services. Like other services, marketing has become essential to higher education as universities compete aggressively for students and differentiate their service offerings. Although attribute-based measures such as SERVQUAL provide useful information to service providers, personal values may offer a deeper understanding of how customers judge the quality and desirability of an educational institution’s services. This study seeks to determine whether personal values in higher education affect perceptions of overall value, satisfaction, and behavioral outcomes including loyalty and intention to recommend.Design/methodology/approach – A survey measured student personal values, service quality, satisfaction, and behavioral outcomes in the USA – the largest exporter of higher educational service, and India – the largest net importer. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and t-tests.Findings – The results describe the impact of personal values on satisfaction and behavioral outcomes, while showing differences between India and the USA.Research limitations/implications – The paper provides implications for applying the personal values concept to the marketing of a university. It also serves as a basis for future research on the impact of personal values in other service sectors.Originality/value – The study fills an important gap in the literature by showing that personal values are an important dimension in services. Service firms need to move beyond attributes and measure personal values, as these values do impact customer satisfaction and loyalty