News Archive

Chemistry conference set for Thursday

Beginning 24 Dec., Texas A&M University at Qatar will be closed for winter break. University offices will reopen on 4 Jan. 2009.

Texas A&M University at Qatar on 6 Dec. recognized nine engineering students who are degree candidates for the December term at a ceremony in the Texas A&M Engineering Building.

Dr. Mohamed-Slim Alouini recently was named a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Alouini is a visiting associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and coordinator of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program at Texas A&M at Qatar. The prestigious fellow designation is awarded by the IEEE board of directors to recognize "unusual distinction in the profession" by those with "an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest," according to the IEEE. Dr. Mark Weichold, dean and CEO of Texas A&M at Qatar, praised Alouini's election as an IEEE fellow. "This is a truly fitting recognition of your leadership in the discipline," Weichold wrote congratulating Alouini.

Dr. Marvin Rowe, professor of chemistry, presented a paper titled "Four Archaeological Sites of Outstanding Universal Value in the United States" at the "Prehistory and the World Heritage Convention: Towards an Action Plan and the Related Thematic Studies" conference, held this week at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Eighteen experts from 12 countries were invited to participate in the categories of prehistory, human evolution and rock art. An archaeological site emphasized in Rowe's talk -- the Lower Pecos River site in southwest Texas that was occupied from about 11,500 years ago until the arrival of the Spanish in the mid-1500s -- was selected by both the prehistory and the rock art study groups for nomination as a future UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rowe was invited to participate in the next meeting of the UNESCO rock art study group to be held in February 2009 in South Africa.

Ambassador Joseph LeBaron last week praised the work of the US universities in Education City during a visit to Texas A&M University at Qatar.

Dr. Yakut Gazi, senior lead IT consultant in Information Technology Services, has co-authored a book, Discourse Indicators of Culture in Online Courses: Designing Learning Environments for Global Success. The book is based on Gazi’s dissertation research on the manifestations of culture in the electronic discourse in an online course. Online learning is a growing area of interest worldwide, as it provides learning opportunities for large groups of people independent of differences in time, pace, and location. However, difficulties in these interactions are reported to arise, partly because the dominant mode of interaction is text-based and stripped of non-verbal and visual clues to communication. This case study examines the manifestations of culture in the discourse of an online course and discusses course design features that may contribute to the creation of a third culture in online environments.

Saad Al-Kaabi, director of oil and gas ventures at Qatar Petroleum, told Texas A&M University at Qatar engineering students this week that they could be eagles in winds of change as Qatar expands its natural gas industry.

A record-breaking class of new engineering students at Texas A&M University at Qatar pushed enrollment figures above 300 and freshman class size above 100 for the first time since the University opened its Qatar campus in 2003. The incoming class comprises 101 freshmen.

“We have a stellar incoming class,” said Dr. Mark H. Weichold, dean and CEO of the University’s Qatar campus. “Competition for admission this year was the toughest it has ever been, and I’m excited to welcome such a remarkable freshman class — remarkable in size and quality.”

The fall semester began Sunday.

University officials anticipate total enrollment of about 340 for the fall semester when final numbers are tallied later this month. This puts Texas A&M at Qatar in the top slot for undergraduate program size among the six universities in Education City.

Students spent the latter half of last week participating in new-student orientation, which was students’ official welcome to life as university students. Seven students from the Texas A&M campus in College Station, Texas, USA, who are studying in Doha this semester helped lead orientation for new students who were anxious to learn about University history and traditions. Five students from Doha are studying in College Station this semester.

Weichold said he anticipates a successful and productive year and that he looks forward to seeing the new engineering students become immersed in their studies. “Their courses will be rigorous and challenging,” he said, “but I believe the students will also find their classes to be fun, too.”

The University’s academic convocation is scheduled for 25 Aug.

DOHA, Qatar -- Texas A&M University at Qatar and Schlumberger on Tuesday signed an agreement to offer advanced training and coursework for professionals in the oil and gas industry in Qatar and the region.

DOHA, Qatar -- RasGas Company Limited (RasGas) today inaugurated a new research agreement with Texas A&M University at Qatar for a research project titled  "Advanced Designs for Wireline Tool Conveyance." The project will study ways to improve designs for devices used to log oil and gas wells during the drilling process.

DOHA, Qatar -- Texas A&M University at Qatar conferred degrees to the May 2008 class of engineers on Thursday evening. These students began their studies at the university in 2003, the year Texas A&M University launched its branch campus in Doha, Qatar, in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.

DOHA, Qatar -- Dr. Elsa Murano, president of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, recently made her first visit to Texas A&M University at Qatar in Doha, Qatar.