ABP Ramadan Activities

ABP Parents' Night

On Wednesday, November 23, the Academic Bridge Program of the Qatar Foundation hosted its annual Parents' Night.

The event attracted a large number of families of this year's ABP students. They were shown samples of students' work, visited some of the ABP facilities and met with the faculty and administration.

After the welcome reception, Dr John Aydelott, Acting Director and Academic Dean of the Program, presented a brief overview of the Program's goals, its courses, syllabus and requirements. He stressed that the Program is committed to the highest standards of education and aims at enhancing all aspects of students' academic, personal and social development.

Representatives of the ABP Student Association - its president Hamad Al Abdulla and two vice-presidents, Ali Al Ansari and Aljazi Al Mannai - also gave short presentations focusing on student clubs and various other activities undertaken by the Association. Students Sahar Saad and Mohammed Mohsen shared their experience of participation in the Doha Debates Special with Bill Clinton, expressing words of gratitude to the Qatar Foundation and the ABP for giving them that opportunity.

During the rest of the evening parents and students met with the Education City university representatives: Ms Valerie Jeremijenko, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs from VCU; Mr Lee Askin, Director of Admissions from Weill Cornell Medical College; Ms Maha Ayyash, Associate Director of Admissions and Records and Ms Aphrodite Hammad, Admissions Advising Counselor from Texas A&M; Mr Bryan Zerbe, Director of Admissions from Carnegie Mellon University; and Ms Liz Kepferle, Director of Admissions and Dr Scott Handley, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. All five universities have established their campuses in Doha thanks to the Qatar Foundation.

The ABP, working in cooperation with the universities of the Education City, is a unique institution in the country, offering young Qataris a crucial transition between Arabic high schools and western colleges. Transition to university life is very often stressful not only for students, but also for their families. The Academic Bridge Program believes that parents can play a significant role in easing that transition. The Program is keen to foster parents' support and actively encourages their interest in the students' educational opportunities and choices available in Qatar and abroad.