A research project conducted by QU faculty and researchers in collaboration with a team of international researchers is developing a lifelong learning framework that facilitates the enhancement of graduate attributes and continuous professional development (CPD) in Qatar based on national skills and competency requirements.
Themed “A Life Long Learning Framework for Enhancing Graduate Attributes and Continuous Professional Development in Qatar (LEARNER)”, the research project is conducted by a team of researchers from QU and Brunel University London. The team includes QU Associate Vice President for Academic Planning & Development Dr Nitham Hindi, Director of QU Continuing Education Office and Assistant Professor of Accounting at QU College of Business & Economics Dr Rajab Al Esmail, Professor of Digital Governance at Brunel Business School and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Electronic Government Research (IJEGR) Prof Vishanth Weerakkody, Founding Dean of Brunel University London College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences Prof Zahir Irani, Senior Lecturer at Brunel Business School Dr Tillal Eldabi, Research Fellow Dr Mohamad Osmani and Research Assistant Paul Waller.
The team is formulating a framework that provides the necessary guidelines for policy and decision-makers to monitor and actively engage in lifelong learning and CPD activities in Qatar. The framework and its related information will be available to the public through a web-based platform. The web-based platform will allow senior management and HR functions in local organizations to appraise and recommend the Qatari workforce for CPD training workshops based on international standards and accreditations. The information and knowledge generated through this platform will be dynamically accumulated and summarized to inform national policy-makers and engage them in shaping attributes of the new graduate workforce.
Commenting on the project, Dr Nitham Hindi said: “We take it for granted that our doctors, lawyers, accountants and architects are well-trained, behave properly and have up-to-date expertise, but we don’t give much thought to how that trust is built up and maintained by those professionals. If we want to grow our own workforce, we have to think about how we improve our graduates’ skills while at university, and also about continued professional development after they graduate and start their employment journey.”
He added: “The project contributes towards the fulfilment of the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, and the national aspirations to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy. It also highlights Qatar’s positioning as a model for economic, social and human capital development in the region. This is just one of the many examples of the level of innovative research being conducted at QU and its collaborative efforts with researchers from around the world in line with the university’s strategic plan and research roadmap.”
Prof Vishanth Weerakkody said: “CPD is a core requirement for getting and keeping a formal professional status in professions such as accounting and information technology, because it demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning. CPD used to be measured by hours spent studying, but the trend now is to demand reflection on learning activities of all sorts, and the assessment of their impact on the professional performance. Culturally, CPD is individuals’ own responsibility, working with their professional bodies, rather than a matter for their employer. But it does need to reflect each country’s human capital development needs.”