Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naimi - Page 2

CONTENTS

Welcome 2 CCQ Top Stories 3 CCQ Spotlight 4 Campus Life 5 New to CCQ 6

CONTACT

Edward Feighny Editor-in-Chief Edward.Feighny@ccq.edu.qa

Dr. Abdulnassir Al-Tamimi Editor Abdul@ccq.edu.qa

Gregory Twidal Writer Gregory.Twidal@ccq.edu.qa

Zahraa Ajine Design Editor Zahraa.Ajine@ccq.edu.qa

The Newsletter of the Community College of Qatar Issue 10, Oct. 2012

Welcome Back!

Share your voice! E-mail Edward.Feighny@ccq.edu.qa

وجهة نظر Page

5

Newest Stars:

CCQ Welcomes it’s newest

family members on Page 6

VantagePoint, the Community

College of Qatar’s newsletter, is

pleased to formally welcome all new

and returning students to the C-Ring

and West Bay campuses. With a

new school year comes many new

and original experiences, including

never before seen courses such as

the Introduction to Fiction class

which focuses on the use of

monsters, vampires, and ghosts.

More science and business classes

should also increase students’

opportunities.

Additionally, the Community College

has paired with Qatar’s General

Directorate of Customs and the

government of Australia to create a

program aimed at educating

customs employees. Our exclusive,

on CCQ’s new Associate’s of

Applied Science Degree looks into

this initiative and explains how two

countries 10,500 kilometers apart

have joined hands in this new

venture. Most promising of all, new

faculty, staff, and administrative

hires from around the world will help

to broaden CCQ’s reach as the

college moves forward into its third

year.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR

PRESIDENT

Vantage Point

Students, this is where your words come to life through

the power of print Edward.Feighny@ccq.edu.qa

Welcome

Dear CCQ Students,

Assalamu Alaykum and peace be upon you.

It’s a new year… It’s a fresh start. That’s what the Fall Term is offering all of you.

So, WELCOME to the CCQ New Year!

Did you know that the CCQ is now 950 students strong? That’s a phenomenal growth that reflects how much the CCQ has become part of the community of Qatar… as well as the community’s response by entrusting your education and your future direction in this young but very dynamic and forward-looking institution of learning.

For the new students, this Fall Term is truly a fresh start. But for the returning students, it is a fresh start to find more ways to keep improving their skills, having more friends and enjoying their college life. I am pretty sure that you all have summer stories to share with one another as you see your friends again and definitely make new ones.

Likewise, you will see your previous instructors and probably be in their classes again. There will be new classes with new people who could have a lot in common with you. But definitely you will be meeting new faculty members who are just as excited as you to start the learning journey together. We have a highly qualified team of teachers/instructors/professors who can surely enrich your classroom experiences.

You will also experience new things around the College such as new courses, new facilities and renewed way of doing things to serve your needs better. The college has added many new courses this academic year, so it is a great opportunity for many of you to study subjects of your interest, or others that will prepare you for your university in the future.

This is your academic home for the next few months. Settle down, be at ease and assured that the College is here to help and partner with you. Education is a right and a privilege.

You are most welcome to express yourself in an acceptable and respectful manner and within the prescribed guidelines that the College has set out for your benefits.

So, without much ado, I wish all of you, my students and my colleagues, all the best for this Academic Year. May your enthusiasm and desire to reach

your goals rise as you encounter challenging situations and as you turn them around to your advantage and succeed every step of the way.

-Acting President Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi Ph.d.

Eight Community College of Qatar Students Receive

Houston Community College Diplomas

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CCQ Top Stories

The Community College of Qatar held a small ceremony to confer Houston Community College diplomas on 8 students. The eight recipients, members of CCQ’s first graduating class, successfully completed all the requirements needed to obtain the HCC diplomas.

All 11 members of the CCQ 2012 inaugural graduating class are now attending various universities in Qatar and in the United States including Qatar University, Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar and Woodbury University in Los Angeles, California.

In his commencement address, CCQ’s Acting President, Dr. Ibrahim Saleh Al-Naimi, congratulated the students for their efforts and success. “Two years ago, in September 2010, we welcomed the first batch of students to the Community College of Qatar. On 15 May 2012, 6 young ladies and 5 young men marched

up the stage to receive their CCQ diplomas. We proudly celebrated Qatar’s inaugural community college graduates. With CCQ degrees already in hand, eight of those eleven graduates decided to complete a few more courses in the summer and are now receiving their second diplomas”, he said. Dr. Al-Naimi also extended “his heartfelt

gratitude and admiration to the college faculty and staff for their hard work and unwavering commitment to providing quality education to our students”.

In his welcome address, CCQ Acting Dean Dr Butch Herod congratulated the students on the completion of their HCC degrees and on their recent admission to universities.

Dr. Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor and COO of Houston Community College, travelled from Houston to award the HCC diplomas to the students on behalf of Chancellor Mary Spangler and the HCC board of trustees. Dr. Tyler congratulated the students and he recognized their dedication and hard work in completing two college degrees within two years. He also wished them well in their educational and career journeys.

”Houston Community College is our partner institution with whom we share the same purpose of opening up opportunities for young men and women of Qatar to pursue lifelong learning and further education and achieve their dreams so that they are able to serve this country with what they do best,” said Dr. Al-Naimi.

CCQ announces the new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Customs Management

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So what exactly does a Community College in Qatar have in common with a University in Canberra, Australia? In addition to general education, community colleges, like universities, have the ability to develop customized programs aimed at the betterment of new employment programs. With the tide changing and more educational programs being tailored to specific areas of employment, CCQ’s new Department of Workforce Education and Community Development has implemented a innovative program geared towards Qatari men and women interested in customs. Dr. Abdulnassir Al-Tamimi, who is now the Associate Dean of the Department of Workforce Education and Community Development, explains how this new program came into being.

“We were approached by the General Directorate of Customs to build a tailor made custom’s program that would be recognized around the world,” he said. “A program that would not only serve the state of Qatar, but with future goals of serving customs authorities in the Gulf and around the world. We initially looked for institutions in

the US that we could partner with but could not find any that offers a degree in Customs Management. Luckily, we found what can argua-bly be the most recognized institute for programs modified to customs and to customs management- the Center for Customs and Excise Studies at the University of Canberra in Australia. The Center’s CEO is one of the top officials for the World Customs Organization (WCO) and will not only help us build a strong and well

recognized program, but will assist the college, as part of the partnership agreement, in getting the program accredited by the

World Customs Organization.”

CCQ’s Custom’s program is the college’s first AAS Degree and will encompass 30 hours of general education courses followed by courses specifically designed to teach students the fundamental

essentials of customs management and border control. Upon completion of the AAS students would be able to transfer to a university to complete another two years of education and graduate with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Applied Technology. The University of Houston in Houston, Texas is being considered as a candidate for the transfer students. Currently, 40 students are enrolled who are sponsored employees of the General Directorate of Customs in Qatar. The agency has stated they are willing to hire interested CCQ students and will sponsor a limited number in exchange for the students agreeing to work for the General Directorate of Customs after graduation. If interested, please contact Ms. Mariam Al-Barazi, CCQ’s Scholarship and Sponsorship Advisor, at 4401-1372.

This is the first of many new AAS programs to be developed at CCQ in the coming years that will help meet the workforce needs of the State of Qatar. Dr. Al-Tamimi (Associate Dean) is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Interior to implement an AAS in Telecommunications Technology as well as an AAS in Early Childhood Education requested by the Supreme Education Council.

CCQ Spotlight

The annual club rush began on September 12th with faculty, staff, and student sponsors promoting their unique organizations in the hope of recruiting new members to help build and broaden their club’s versatility. The event was held at C-Ring’s cafeteria where club sponsors set up tables with their club name, sign-up sheets, and anything they could think of to bring attention to their organization. The Photography Club, sponsored by English Professor Bernadette Russo and assisted by ESOL Professor Bryan Corbin, made use of multiple cameras and lenses to excite students about the opportunities the organization offers. When asked about student interest, Professor Russo offered, “The rush was a huge success for us. We now have more members, and the students will be doing more this year than last.”

The C-Ring Student Government was present and came prepared with miniature cupcakes and bundles of brightly colored balloons, both of which worked well at gaining student attention and tempting other club sponsors. Students of Professor Barbara Loggins made use of the walls behind their table by posting very tasteful banner and a roll-up sign specially made for the occasion. Others used

projectors and laptops to display what they were offering and what things new members could do as part of the club.

Ultimately, many of the clubs were successful at collecting new members. Previously established clubs, such as the Business Club, had no trouble in collecting new members, while newer clubs also picked up some interest. Each new member will have the opportunity to participate in club activities, to plan events, and to vote for their club leadership.

Student clubs are centered on common interests and can be used by students to help improve their skill set prior to graduation. Many students use these clubs as an opportunity to prepare for the careers they wish to pursue or simply to add to their CV. While no club can be said to be better or worse than another, it is important that students consider what their interests are before joining. A student may still be able to join a group later in the semester if the club sponsor agrees. To get into contact with a specific club, contact Mashael Al-Mohammadi, Student Activities Coordinator.

The Reading Series is looking for student assistants to help with promoting and setting up the readings.

The time commitment would be no more than one hour a week. Your duties would include helping run the Twitter and Facebook pages, helping to set up a website, promoting the series in Doha, helping to generate student interest, and finding readers. Also, you would automatically be able to present your own work if interested. Plus, some of your instructors might give you extra credit for helping out if you ask them nicely.

If you're interested in literature, event planning, or arts administration, this is an easy way to get involved in a project and get some experience for your resume.

Send an email to Dane.Wisher@ccq.edu.qa if interested.

By Gregory Twidal

C-RING’S CLUB

The Reading Series: Student Assistants

WANTED

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Campus Life

Students, this is where your words come to life through

the power of print Edward.Feighny@ccq.edu.qa

New to CCQ

Newest Stars

Makeba Brown Cecelia King Fearase Al-Neimi Saman Desilva Marvis Kilgore

The Community College of Qatar’s

The Community College of Qatar is happy to welcome its newest Faculty and Staff to its hallowed halls. Nearly every department has a new face. Let’s meet them! Administration: President’s Office: Dr. Said A Mubarak, Law Expert Operations: Nahed Mohamed Korshy, Service Worker Human Resources: Noor Riyas, Receptionist Ahlam Aiedhhz Reshidi, Office Assistant Mohammed Ali Ah, Office Assistant

Student Services: Cheryl Johnson, Associate Dean of Student Services Admissions: Makeba Brown, Registration/Enrollment Associate Student Activities: Sara Al Sherouqi, Student Activities Officer Counseling & Advising: Chameeta Denton, C-Ring Counselor

Information Technology: Systems Administrator: Adnan Bleik Systems Analyst: Wissam Maadarani

Instruction: Dr. Robert Ford, Associate Dean of Instruction Math: Fearase Al-Neimi and Sahar Saleh Computer Science and Business: Saman Desilva English : Camille Alexander ESOL: Carol Lafferty, Carmella Payne, James Herst, BJ Jumnadass, Ravathy Ratnasekar, Bryan Corbin, Fe Liza Bencosme, Deborah Dixon Ali, Cecelia (CC) King, Bridgette Dennis, Joseph Mitchell, Marvis Kilgore, and Bratislav Stojic. Library: Reem Abdul Qader Al-Ansari, Library Assistant

& Students, this is where your words come to life through

the power of print Edward.Feighny@ccq.edu.qa

CCQ’s Finest

Bryan Corbin He comes to us from Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Communications, a master's degree in Professional Writing, and a TEFL certificate. When not teaching or planning lessons, Bryan is working on a second graduate degree in Adult Education from Colorado State University. He has been married for one year, and previously taught ESL in China and South Korea. In his free time he enjoys kayaking, hiking, writing, traveling, and snapping photographs of Doha. He has traveled to every continent and is thrilled to be working in this beautiful nation and learning about life in the Middle East.

HAVE YOU MET?

Congratulations

Please join us in congratulating two of CCQ’s finest professionals.

First, Professor Bernadette Russo on presenting her paper,

"Shackles of a Distant Self and the Damning Complicit." Professor

Russo read her work at the "Making Sense of Madness"

conference at Mansfield College on the campus of Oxford

University. This prestigious multi-disciplinary conference included

presenters from around the world. Scholars in the fields of

psychiatry, psychology, anthropology, social work, post colonialism,

literature, philosophy, and theology presented papers, gave

seminars, and led discussions questioning the construction and role

of madness in society.

Oxford University is one of the most venerable institutions of higher

education in the world. The fact that CCQ was represented among

this gathering of celebrated thinkers is a great testament to Profes-

sor Russo's intellectual and scholarly abilities.

And Second, congratulations to our colleague Scott Gehman,

whose third musical production for the Chinese government,

Metropolis, will debut in the city of Shenzhen (China's fourth largest

city) in early December 2012. Scott wrote the music for this musical

which is about Shenzhen's meteoric rise from a small fishing village

in the 1970s to a city of 14 million people. Shenzhen is China's

electronics industry capital with Apple Computers manufacturing

many of its products there as well.

Shenzhen's Ministry of Culture and Tourism commissioned the

musical last year. It is a Broadway style production in both English

and Mandarin and was initiated to help promote the city's global

profile in hopes of continuing to attract international business and

industry. So, please join us in congratulating Scott and Bernadette

on their wonderful, creative enterprises.

Scott Gehman Bernadette Russo