Under the direction of the Student Affairs Sector at Qatar University (QU), the “Discover Your University" event has kicked off in the Student Affairs building at QU. The event brought together various services and university resources to provide essential support for first-year students and newly enrolled students. This three-day event, held from November 3 to 5 in the university's Events and Conferences Hall, aimed to introduce new students to academic opportunities, support services, and activities they can benefit from, offering comprehensive guidance on their university journey. The event was organized over three days, with 3 and 4 November dedicated to female students and 5 November reserved for male students.
The event featured participation from a number of QU departments, including academic support services such as Student Learning Support Center (SLSC), Academic Advising Center, and the Library, in addition to various professional, psychological, and social support centers. Notable among these are the Career Development Center, Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Office, Sports Affairs and Student Activities Departments, The Student Counseling Center, student clubs, and the Student Representative Board.
These departments aimed to offer a range of services that enrich the student experience, especially for first-year students, enhancing their engagement in campus life and broadening the extracurricular programs offered at QU. Through a blend of informative sessions and interactive experiences, new students were given the opportunity to deeply familiarize themselves with the university environment.
Dr. Mohammad Diab, Vice President of Student Affairs at QU, underscored the significance of organizing the “Discover Your University" event, stating, “This event is an exceptional opportunity for students to explore academic support resources, along with extracurricular programs and activities that contribute to developing their skills and personal abilities. The event aims to improve the university experience by introducing students to the various services provided by the university, which support both their academic and personal journeys. The successful organization of this event was the result of a collaborative effort between service departments within Student Affairs and various university departments."
A key element of the event's success was the active involvement of student volunteers, who played a vital role in organizing and managing this event, assisting peers in maximizing the university's resources. While volunteers encounter various challenges, such as time management, welcoming new students, and offering guidance, these experiences offered invaluable opportunities to develop personal skills like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. The participation of volunteers in this event emphasized the importance of volunteering, particularly for first-year students, encouraging them to get involved in volunteer activities.
The “Discover Your University" event contributed to QU's goal of providing an inclusive and supportive educational environment, one that enhances students' academic experiences and enriches them with activities and interactive programs that cater to their diverse needs.