Doha: Qatar University (QU) has achieved full membership of the IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence, an international institutional non-profit association of ranking organisations, universities and other bodies interested in university rankings and academic excellence.
Admission to IREG membership is based on recommendation from two sitting members. As the Observatory’s most recent member, the organisation joins a list of 40 members comprising universities, higher education institutes and quality assurance and rankings organisations from around the world.
The Certificate of Membership was presented to QU Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dr Humaid Al Midfaa by IREG President Dr Jan Sadiak at the opening session of the IREG Forum on “Rankings by Subject: Inclusive Approach to University Performance” held at Aalborg University, Denmark, from June
10 to 12.
The forum was organised by IREG Observatory and Aaalborg University — it was the first meeting of QU attendance as an IREG member and in which the organisation also participated with an information booth.
The conference discussed how rankings reflect on the quality of higher education in different fields of study, highlighting how the issues are important not only to universities but also to employers, industry and policymakers, as the quality of higher education determines the level of quality and excellence of graduates and their ability to contribute to the economy and society.
In his remarks in front of an audience that included moderator Birte Hornemann and member of the Observatory’s Executive Committee, QU VP for Research Dr Hassan Al Derham, and over 200 attendees from over 35 countries, Dr Humaid thanked the IREG committee, “We are honoured to join the list of prestigious higher education and rankings organisations who are IREG members and extend our sincere thanks to IREG for this recognition. It is indeed an honour and an achievement of which we are very proud. We are equally pleased to be here at the forum where we can all share our thoughts, opinions and experiences on the issue of rankings, at the same time meeting many of our partners as well as prospective collaborators”.
Dr Humaid added that as Qatar’s first national institution of higher education, Qatar University is in its 42nd year and has grown to become a leader in academic and research excellence in the GCC region, and this reputation is becoming increasingly recognised worldwide.
Noting that the subject of university ranking is relatively new to the region, Dr Humaid said: “At Qatar University, we deeply appreciate how rankings impact on a university’s positioning on a domestic, regional and international level and its role in informing students and parents, policymakers, quality assurance and funding organisations, employers and the media of the university’s brand, its mission and vision.
Dr Humaid drew reference to QU hosting within this year two leading international and regional conferences — the Times Higher Education MENA Universities Summit and the 5th QS Middle East and North Africa Professional Leaders in Education Conference and Exhibition.
The Peninsula
