Qatar University ExxonMobil Teachers Academy Concludes in Doha After a Week-long Program

Doha, November 25 (QNA) - Qatar University ExxonMobil Qatar and Qatar University (QU), two education partners, hosted a graduation ceremony to mark the end of the ExxonMobil Teachers Academy in Doha. Several senior representatives from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, QU, and Teach for Qatar (TFQ) attended the event held at QU's College of Education. The academy, which targets math and science teachers from Qatar's government schools, was established in 2012 by ExxonMobil Qatar and QU's National Center for Education Development (NCED), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. More than 50 teachers took part in this year's academy in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and TFQ. Around 40 of these teachers are grade 7-9 math and science teachers from Qatar's government schools; 10 are TFQ fellows, in addition to 13 student teachers from the internship program at the College of Education. Over the course of a week, teachers underwent an intensive professional development program to enhance their teaching skills and deepen their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through teaching tools that will help them explore these subjects with their students. Doha-based educators and instructors from the United States worked with this year's teachers to develop the skills necessary to integrate STEM successfully into their lessons and enhance learning among students. A total of 500 teachers have taken part in all the previous academies that ExxonMobil Qatar and QU have organized since 2012. Experts from the academy, QU, and the ministry have estimated that these teachers are expected to reach over 20,000 students, creating a considerable impact on Qatar's education system. "The Ministry of Education and Higher Education is delighted to support another edition of the QU ExxonMobil Teachers Academy," said Maha Al Rowaili, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. "The academy is providing a great professional development opportunity to equip teachers with the necessary skills to integrate STEM effectively into the classroom and create dynamic and interactive learning environments that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students." "I would like to thank ExxonMobil Qatar for providing a platform that is opening up new possibilities for teaching and learning and unlocking the full potential of STEM education to cultivate a new generation of forward-thinking individuals equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to shape a brighter future for our country," she added. Dominic Genetti, President and General Manager for ExxonMobil Qatar, said, "The academy is the successful outcome of a vision we share with our partners, QU and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, to help students in Qatar's school system fulfill their dreams and ambitions and learn critical skills that will contribute to a sustainable future for Qatar." "The teachers who took part in this year's academy have found novel ways to fuel the spark of innovation, to ignite curiosity, and to craft a future where science and math will thrive in their classrooms. We wish them all the best as they continue their teaching journeys," added Genetti. Prof. Asmaa Al Attiya, Dean of the College of Education, said, "QU ExxonMobil Teachers Academy 2023 has provided a valuable opportunity to build the expertise of math and science teachers and enhance their teaching skills by adopting modern and innovative teaching methods grounded in student-centered learning and integrated STEM approaches. The commitment of the National Center for Educational Development at the College of Education plays a vital role in developing education, enhancing teaching quality, nurturing capabilities, instilling a spirit of leadership, and building professional learning communities that achieve sustainable learning in the State of Qatar." (QNA)