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Background & Committees

Brief History of the Pediatric Nutrition Conference in Qatar

The Pediatric Nutrition Conference in Qatar was established in 2022 in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). The inaugural conference aimed to address critical issues in child nutrition and foster dialogue among healthcare professionals, researchers, and public health experts. Following its success, the second edition was held in 2024, again in collaboration with the WHO, and further expanded its reach by exploring emerging trends in pediatric nutrition, and metabolic diseases.

Building on this momentum, we are pleased to announce the upcoming Third Pediatric Nutrition Conference: "Healthy Children for a Sustainable Future", which will take place from 7–9 April 2026 at Qatar University – Doha, Qatar. The 2026 conference will continue to provide a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, with a focus on sustainable strategies to promote child health and well-being.

The Department of Nutrition Sciences, established in 1998, offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nutrition and Dietetics.The program is designed to produce highly skilled dietetics professionals with a robust foundation in biological sciences, applied nutrition sciences, research methodologies, and evidence-based dietetic practice. Graduates are prepared for diverse career paths in clinical and community dietetics, health and wellness, public health, and food service management. A supervised professional practice component, introduced in 2010, is a cornerstone of the academic plan and received full accreditation from ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) since 2017.

The Department also offers two academic minors, Nutrition and Food Safety, as well as a Master of Science (MSc) in Nutrition, each designed to strengthen expertise in key areas of health and nutrition. The Minor in Nutrition  introduces students to the fundamentals of human nutrition, emphasizing its role in health promotion and disease prevention. It is ideal for students majoring in medicine, pharmacy, or public health who wish to complement their primary studies. The Minor in Food Safety  is offered for all majors and focuses on food safety regulations and risk assessment across the food supply chain, preparing students for roles in the food industry and regulatory sectors.

The MSc in Nutrition is a comprehensive two to four year graduate program tailored for dietitians, nutritionists, and health professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in research and the biochemical, clinical, community, and behavioral dimensions of nutrition. It includes 24 credit hours of core courses, 6 credit hours of electives, and a 6-credit thesis. Graduates are prepared and equipped to continue their PhD studies or to pursue careers in advanced clinical practice, research, public health, and policy.

 

Content Editor ‭[3]‬

Content Editor ‭[2]‬

Chair:

  • Prof. Hanan Abdul Rahim, Dean of College of Health Sciences, QU

Members:

  • Prof. Reema Tayyem, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU
  • Dr. Maya Bassil, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU
  • Dr. Rayana Bou-Haka, WHO Representative in Qatar
  • Prof. Diala Abdul Hai Hamidi, Early Childhood Center, College of Education, QU

Chair:

  • Prof. Reema Tayyem

Members:

  • Dr. Maya Bassil, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU
  • Dr. Layal Karam, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU
  • Dr. Zumin Shi, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU

Chair:

  • Dr. Layal Karam

Co-chair:

  • Prof. Reema Tayyem

Members:

  • Ms. Hiba Chatila, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU
  • Ms. Grace Attieh, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU
  • Mr. Jaafar Pakari, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU

Chair:

  • Dr. Maya Bassil

Co-chair:

  • Prof. Reema Tayyem

Members:

  • Dr. Tamara Al Abdi, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU
  • Ms. Joyce Moawad, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU
  • Mr. Jaafar Naser Pakari, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU
  • Dr. Sahar Shamseddine, QU-H CPD Specialist, VP for Medical & Health Sciences Office, QU Health
  • Ms. Iman Mohamed Chaar, College of Education, QU
  • Ms. Bashayer Al-Sulaiti, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU

Chair:

  • Prof. Zumin Shi

Co-chair:

  • Dr. Ala Rajabi

Members:

  • Dr. Tahra El-Obeid, Associate Professor, Nutrition Sciences, QU
  • Prof. Reema Tayyem, Professor, Coordinator MSc Nutrition, QU
  • Dr. Maya Bassil, Associate Professor & Head, Nutrition Sciences, QU
  • Dr. Layal Karam, Associate Professor, Nutrition Sciences, QU
  • Prof. Hesham Korashy, Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, QU
  • Dr. Atiyeh Abdallah, Graduate Program Coordinator, Biomedical Sciences, QU
  • Dr. Annalisa Terranegra, Investigator, Precision Nutrition, Sidra Medicine
  • Dr. Sybil Barr, Senior Attending Physician, Neonatology, Sidra Medicine
  • Prof. Hussein Hassan, Director of Academic Compliance, Lebanese American University
  • Dr. Haleama Al Sabbah, Public Health Department, Abu Dhabi University
  • Dr. Narmeen Al-Awwad, Clinical Nutrition Head, The Hashemite University, Jordan
  • Dr. Radwan Qasrawi, Associate Professor, Al-Quds University, Palestine
  • Dr. Mirey Karavetian, Research Associate, University of Toronto
  • Prof. Zhao Yong, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, China
  • Dr. Maha Hoteit, Food Sciences, CNRS-L, Lebanon
  • Dr. Sabika Allehdan, Biology Department, University of Bahrain
  • Prof. Per Ole Iversen, Nutrition Department, University of Oslo, Norway
  • Prof. Nauman Khalid, Dean, University of Management and Technology, Pakistan
  • Dr. Nurhan Unusan, Head, Nutrition & Dietetics, KTO Karatay University, Turkey
  • Dr. Yohannes Melaku, Senior Research Fellow, Flinders University, Australia
  • Dr. Dalal Hammoudi, Assistant Professor, QU Health Office
  • Prof. Jennifer Sacheck-Ward, Professor, Brown University, USA
  • Prof. Lynne Ausman, Professor, Tufts University, USA
  • Dr. Ming Li, Senior Research Fellow, University of Queensland, Australia​
photo of Qatar University buildings - right side
photo of Qatar University buildings - right side