VCUarts Qatar welcomes new students, faculty

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) welcomed the Class of 2022 during the new student orientation programme from August 28-30.

The Class of 2022 has 83 students from 22 countries, with 77 joining as undergraduates and six joining the Masters of Fine Arts in Design programme. VCUarts Qatar is the Qatar campus of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia.

VCUarts Qatar offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design, graphic design, interior design and painting & printmaking, a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history and a Master of Fine Arts degree in design.

Executive dean Donald R Baker greeted the Class of 2022 and noted that students would have the “opportunity to work closely with faculty members” and that they would “learn to think critically and creatively and to solve problems.”

The new students were introduced to the orientation team leaders who organised orientation and who guided them through a wide range of activities that were created to acquaint them with the university.

Faheem Khan, the head orientation co-ordinator, explained: “Last year we decided to change the whole atmosphere of the New Student Orientation Programme with a theme that the majority of the students could relate to and enjoy. It was a huge success and has set a standard at VCUarts Qatar for our future NSOPs to follow.”

“My responsibilities as a push me to create opportunities where the inclusion of student leadership articulates an expectation of excellence. Providing our students with a role in this year’s New Student Orientation Program creative exercise is the most visible way in which my office seeks to engender student voice, participation and leadership.” Sarah Faheem, student development senior specialist at VCUarts Qatar added.

VCUarts Qatar also welcomed 13 new faculty and staff to the university. They include the 2018/19 Artists in Residence Abdul Azim al-Ghussein and Asmaa al-Issa. The Artists in Residence will have the opportunity to work at dedicated studios at VCUarts Qatar, while also teaching and mentoring students from within the Painting and Printmaking program. Their nine-month period of research and practice in Qatar will culminate with an exhibition in April.

Dr Baker said: “Every new academic year also brings new people to serve as faculty, staff and administrators. We also welcome them and the fresh ideas they will bring to our programs and operations.”

رحبت جامعة فرجينيا كومنولث كلية فنون التصميم في قطر بدفعة 2022 من خلال برنامج الجامعة التعريفي والخاصة بالطلبة الجدد والذي استمر على مدى ثلاثة أيام.

تضم هذه الدفعة، 83 طالباً وطالبة من 22 دولة مختلفة، منهم 77 طالباً ينضمون إلى برنامج البكالوريوس وستة طلاب ينضمون إلى برنامج الماجستير في الفنون الجميلة في التصميم.

جامعة فرجينيا كومنولث كلية فنون التصميم في قطر هي فرع من الحرم الجامعي الدولي فرجينيا كومنولث في ريتشموند فرجينيا. تأسست عام 1998 وبالشراكة مع مؤسسة قطر. تقدم الجامعة للطلاب فرصة الحصول على درجة البكالوريوس في الفنون الجميلة في كل من تصميم الأزياء وتصميم الغرافيك والتصميم الداخلي والرسم والطباعة، وعلى درجة البكالوريوس في الفنون في تاريخ الفن بالإضافة إلى درجة ماجستير الفنون الجميلة في التصميم.

كما استقبلت جامعة فرجينيا كومنولث كلية فنون التصميم في قطر هذا العام، 13 معلما وموظفا جديدا في الجامعة.