Qatar University (QU)'s Academic Advising Centre recently hosted the 2024 Academic Advising Open Day, themed “Your Path to Excellence." This event aimed to foster proactive guidance for students by creating interactive activities between students and their academic advisors outside the usual advising offices. The event attracted the participation of numerous officials, faculty members, and students from various university colleges.
The Open Day featured several activities designed to raise awareness among students about the services offered by the Academic Advising Center and how they can leverage these resources to ensure ongoing academic success and continuous learning. The event's goal was to engage a large number of students and build a strong relationship between them and their advisors. Through this initiative, the Center was able to better understand and respond to both the academic and non-academic needs of students.
Ms. Hend Al-Mogaiseeb, Section Head of Academic Advising Office for College of Education (CEDU), stated, “This event is designed to engage students in various activities with their academic advisors outside the traditional advising framework. It includes many educational competitions in which both students and advisors participate."
Al-Mogaiseeb also highlighted that the Academic Advising Center offers a wide range of services beyond just advising. These include introducing students to other university centers and services that help enhance their academic experience and contribute to their personal development.
From his perspective, Mr. Mohammed Thabet, an academic advisor at CEDU, explained, “The Academic Advising Centre organizes this year's Open Day under the banner 'Your Path to Excellence' to reach as many students as possible and inform them about the Centre's services. It also aims to introduce them to specific programs and departments that target students directly, such as the Honors Program and student clubs. Additionally, the event fosters an interactive framework between students and their academic advisors through educational games and competitions."
Thabet also noted that the Academic Advising Center plays a critical role in guiding students through their academic journey and helping them navigate university life. The Center is instrumental in helping students understand the university environment and make the most of their experience.
Dr. Yousri Marzouki, Director of the Honors Program at QU, shared his thoughts on the event, “The program's participation is part of our efforts to engage with the student community and introduce the benefits of the Honors Program. It also allows us to answer students' questions regarding their enrolment, academic plans, and graduation pathways. Moreover, the event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with academic advisors from different university colleges."
The Open Day attracted a significant number of students, with many actively participating in various activities alongside their academic advisors. Students praised the event, noting that it helped bring together different groups of students, faculty, and administrative staff, fostering a supportive and motivating university environment.
It is worth mentioning that the event saw participation from several key university programs and student organizations. These included the Honors Program and various student clubs such as W3y Club, Ealia Club, and the Media Club. Additionally, the event featured contributions from the Sports Affairs Department, the Mental Health and Safety Office, the Simulation Lab, the Student Counselling Centre, and platforms like Ask Stations.