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Texas A&M University at Qatar and Maersk Oil Qatar launched the inaugural issue of the Engineering Education Letters journal at a recent event in Doha, as part of the Dhia: Engineering Leaders program partnership between the two organizations.
The collection of articles from leading engineering education experts is an open source, peer reviewed, archival journal which reports results of the latest teaching methodologies, innovative teaching and learning techniques, and academic successes observed by local, regional, and global experts in engineering education and the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics). It provides a resource for local educators and experts to support the continuing development and delivery of high quality technical education in Qatar.
This semi-annual online journal is published by QScience, a member of Qatar Foundation, under the editorship of engineering education scholars, Dr. Hamid R. Parsaei, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Nimir O. Elbashir, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering, at Texas A&M at Qatar.
Texas A&M at Qatar and Maersk Oil Qatar have developed and introduced pioneering academic activities and experiential leaning opportunities for Qatari students and teachers in STEM fields over the past several years.
Maersk Oil has initiated and served as exclusive industry sponsor of innovative initiatives in the region, and has partnered with Texas A&M at Qatar to promote STEM education among young Qataris since 2012. Maersk Oil Qatar's Dhia: Engineering Leaders partnership with Texas A&M at Qatar has brought regional and global recognition to the company and has made it a model community leader in engaging the next generation of Qatari leaders in science and engineering. The initiatives are creating new opportunities to expose young Qataris to STEM programs and are aimed at encouraging these students to select STEM fields as professional pathways.
At the launch, Dr. Mark H. Weichold, Dean and CEO of Texas A&M at Qatar, recognized Maersk Oil's initiatives in Qatar, stating that the activities are proving to have a significant impact and are making a key contribution to Qatar's drive to become a knowledge-based economy.
"Qatar has been a leader in promoting engineering education over the past two decades," he said. "Texas A&M at Qatar works closely with Maersk Oil as a committed partner to work toward achieving Qatar's Vision 2030 and creating a new generation of engineering leaders."
Jassim Al-Khori, Technical Manager of the Maersk Oil Research and Technology Centre, said "As one of largest private sector supporters of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills in the country, we are focused on developing the human potential of the country for generations to come, as well as the safe and efficient delivery of more than 40 percent of the country's oil production from a unique and complex offshore oil field."
He continued, "We are delighted to have created a forum for educational scholars in the region and around the world to publish their work and disseminate results of their findings through a creative medium such as the Engineering Education Lettersjournal. Maersk Oil Qatar is also proud this publication has been created in Qatar and produced by a local publisher."
He also noted that Engineering Education Lettersis the first journal of its kind published in the region.
Parsaei and Elbashir stated that the goal in creating and launching this publication, also available online, is to promote engineering and STEM education in the region and report major achievements of fellow educators to a larger audience. They also stated that articles submitted to this journal are reviewed in less that a month by global experts in the field and the accepted articles immediately appear online, whereas the turn-around time for similar global journals exist is about six to twelve months.
Educators interested in submitting an article can view the journal's website, www.eeletters.org.
About Texas A&M University at Qatar
Texas A&M University, recognized as having one of the premier engineering programs in the world, has offered undergraduate degrees in chemical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering and petroleum engineering at Qatar Foundation's Education City campus since 2003, and graduate degrees in chemical engineering since fall 2011. More than 600 engineers have graduated from Texas A&M at Qatar since 2007. In addition to engineering courses, Texas A&M at Qatar provides classes in science, mathematics, liberal arts and the humanities. All four of the engineering programs offered at Texas A&M at Qatar are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The curricula offered at Texas A&M at Qatar are materially the same as those offered at the main campus in College Station, Texas, and the courses in Doha are taught in English in a co-educational setting. The reputation for excellence is the same, as is the commitment to equip engineers to lead the next generation of engineering advancement. Faculty from around the world are attracted to Texas A&M at Qatar to provide this educational experience and to participate in research activities now valued at more than $196 million, and that address issues important to the State of Qatar. Visit www.qatar.tamu.edu.
© Press Release 2015
