QU Timeline
1973
Launch of the men’s and women’s Faculties of Education
Detailed planning for new university begins, with UNESCO assistance
1977
Launch of Qatar University, with three Faculties: Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science
1978
Department of Sharia and Islamic Studies upgraded to Faculty standing Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Kazem, Dean of Faculties of Education, appointed QU President Decree establishes the University Consultative Board of Regents
1980
Opening of Engineering programs
1985
Opening of Administration and Economics programs
1986
Dr. Abdullah Juma'a Al-Kobaisi becomes first Qatar acting QU President
1987
Opening of Faculty of Technology to offer diploma programs (graduating classes from 1993 to 2005)
1988
Opening of Biomedical Sciences and Nursing Science programs (graduating classes from 1994 to 2003) High-school graduation score for admission raised
1991
Opening of Nursing Science program (graduating classes, 1994 to 2003)
High-school graduation score for admission raised
University Council adopts University Goals
1993
UNESCO review of institutional progress
University Consultative Board of Regents holds last meeting
1994
Prof. Ibrahim Saleh Al-Naimi becomes the first Qatari appointed QU President
1997
Launch of fee-based Parallel Program for part-time students
High-school graduation score for admission raised
1998
Foundation courses in English, Mathematics computer literacy required of applicants to Engineering and Science; extended to applicants to Business & Economics in 2003
Education City opens to offer degree programs by foreign universities
1999
Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi appointed QU President
2000
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of the UK report
Launch of comprehensive self-study of university and all of its units
Government decides that teachers must have degrees in disciplines other than Education; admissions to undergraduate programs in Education cease
2001
Government review of K-12 education begins, leading a major restructuring and reorientation of schooling
2002
Supreme Education Council established to set academic standards for schools, coordinate education
Women admitted to Engineering programs
Launch of College of the North Atlantic–Qatar (replacing the Faculty of Technology)
2003
Prof Shaikha bint Abdullah Al-Misnad appointed QU President
RAND Corporation engaged to assist with review and reform of the university
2004
Emir HH Hamad bin Khalifa approves major directions for the reform
Decrees establish Qatar University as an autonomous institution under Board of Regents
Goal set of becoming a “model national university”
Reforms include: raising admission and continuation standards, merger of the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences into the College of Arts and Sciences; closure of independent research centers and shift of responsibility from the central administration to the colleges; restructured senior administration; greater
delegation of authority within administration
2005
Opening of two-year Foundation Program required of new students except those in Sharia and Islamic Studies and Arabic Language and Literature or those who could pass standardized tests
Introduction of the new Core Curriculum required of all students
2006
Opening of QU College of Pharmacy
Opening of the College of Law Most of the restructuring complete; reform project continues under university’s own impetus Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) established under Qatar Foundation
2008
Government adoption of Qatar National Vision 2030
Opening of Sports Science program
2009
SEC urges reinstatement of Education programs (primary opens in 2011, secondary in 2012)
2010
Government adoption of National Education Strategy
Launch of Community College of Qatar (CCQ)
Launch of Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) by the Qatar Foundation
2011
Government adoption of the National Development Strategy, 2011-16
2012
Government adoption of National Research Strategy
Opening of several new graduate programs
2014
Establishment of QU College of Medicine, first classes 2015
Approval of QU’s five year “Road Map: Advancing Research for Qatar’s Future” to align university and national goals and objectives
2015
Dr. Hassan Rashid Al-Derham appointed QU President; begins re-envisioning and restructuring activities.
2016
Opening of QU College of Health Sciences
2017
QU launches a new strategy (2018-2022): “A Strategy for Transformation From Reform to Transform”
2018
Establishment of QU College of Dental Medicine, first classes 2020
