Several new faculty members from diverse academic backgrounds will be joining different colleges across Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) this year, it was announced.
The wide range of programmes offered at HBKU focus on building an innovative research and teaching environment, which along with training the next generation of researchers and scientists, also attracts renowned faculty and internationally-recognised leaders.
Dr Andreas Rechkemmer is a professor and programme director for the Master of Public Policy programme, which receives its first cohort after HBKU launched the College of Public Policy this fall. “Our programme focuses on interdisciplinary and problem-based approaches and toolsets to effectively address grand challenges such as social, family and health issues, migration, or climate, energy and broader sustainability challenges. We look forward to providing excellence in training for qualified graduate students from Qatar and abroad,” Dr Rechkemmer said.
For its part, HBKU College of Law (CL) is rolling out two new programmes: the LLM in International Law and Foreign Affairs, and LLM in International Economic and Business Law.
Dr Damilola S Olawuyi, associate professor and chair of graduate programmes at CL, said: “Our new programmes have been carefully designed to empower students with analytical and comparative legal skills needed to understand the diverse legal systems – civil, common and Shariah – that govern complex events and transactions, both in the region and globally.”
At the end of the programme, Dr Olawuyi noted that their students will be ready to become global leaders in various career paths.
“With world-class faculty of exceptional depth and diversity, HBKU CL is an extraordinary place to study law. The extensive course offerings will allow students to acquire deep specialisations in areas that are of great significance for Qatar, the region, and the world,” Dr Olawuyi added. Similarly, HBKU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is preparing to welcome the inaugural batch to its PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences programme.
Dr Steven Wright, associate dean and associate professor at CHSS, said the new PhD programme received several applications from highly qualified prospective students, which made the selection procedure quite difficult. “With a diverse range of topics that the admitted students are seeking to focus on, we are very optimistic that they will innovate, discover, and offer new perspectives on a wide range of contemporary issues,” he added.
Two new programmes have been launched by the College of Science and Engineering (CSE): the Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM) and Master of Information Systems in Health Management (MISHM).
Dr Amine Bermak, a professor at CSE, said: “The MSEM aims to train the next generation of experts in sports management and is in line with the aspirations of the Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasises human and economic development.”
“Sport will certainly help build and sustain an active and healthy society as it can help Qatar diversify its carbon-based economy and develop it as a regional and global sport hub.” Dr Bermak added. “Whereas, the MISHM responds to an ever-increasing reliance on IT in healthcare with a fast deployment of computers and information systems in healthcare sector that is projected to exponentially grow soon.”
More than 60 faculty members currently work across six colleges and three research institutes to advance HBKU’s remit of delivering a globally relevant educational experience.