Doha, 23 March 2015

Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF), celebrated the culmination of the Schools Counselors Career Advice training program, delivered in partnership with Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development and the Supreme Education Council (SEC). The program, launched in October 2014, aims to inform school counselors about the fundamental tools of career and academic counseling and to offer insight into the latest developments in the field. 

During the program, which was the first of its kind to be delivered in Arabic, participating counselors from both independent and private schools had the opportunity to discuss relevant strategies to understand students' needs, as well as the latest developments in student guidance techniques. Additionally, participants shared their ideas on how best to encourage informed decision-making about future academic and career plans. The five-month program offered lectures, group work, and school visits, as well as six modules, including sessions on social learning and cognitive theory, growth and development theory, and career counseling. The final session took place on March 10th at the HBKU Student Center and introduced the latest counseling tools.

One participant, Ahmad Nassar Al-Balam, said: "The program was a good opportunity for counselors to build up skills to better prepare, inform and guide students. From learning about the latest tests that identify student's strengths and weaknesses, to the different specializations, choices, and colleges available in Qatar, this program provided training on all the ways in which we can help our students make informed decisions in their career choices."

Participants were also provided with information on application requirements of the various branch campuses in Education City. "Preparation for university starts as early as the 10th and 11th grade," added Ahmad Al-Balam, "our role is to encourage students to start preparing for standardized testing as early as they can, and prepare them to the best of our ability."

Ola Abdin, Bedaya Center's career development advisor, said: "Bedaya Center's participation in this initiative highlights the crucial role of academic advisors in pointing students towards a bright career future.  It has also helped to consolidate our partnerships with Qatar's educational institutions and everyone involved in career development for the benefit of future generations." 

In line with the partners' aim of developing local partnerships towards an enhanced educational system in Qatar, Khalifa Al-Salahi, Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator at HBKU, stated: "We are pleased to see the success of the first counselors training program and look forward to working with Bedaya Center and the Supreme Education Council in the future as well. School counselors play a fundamental role in shaping the opinions and priorities of our youth and it is crucial that we invest in counselors' knowledge and training."

The program was also an opportunity for this first cohort of counselors from schools across the country to network with each other and share their views on how to develop effective outreach programs for students, focusing on the ethical and professional standards of the profession.

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About Hamad bin Khalifa University
Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is an emerging research university building upon unique collaborations with local and international partners. Located in Education City, HBKU seeks to provide unparalleled opportunities for scholarship, teaching, discovery, and learning for all of its students through an array of interdisciplinary programs.

HBKU's partners are Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, HEC Paris in Qatar, and UCL Qatar.

© Press Release 2015