Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) and the College of the North Atlantic – Qatar (CNA-Q) have signed a deal to create a ‘Professional Chair of Vocational Studies’ in Qatar.

It will assist in building a strategic roadmap for the future of vocational education in Qatar, said a statement.

The deal aims to improve the quality of vocational training that is delivered by CNA-Q and Qapco personnel to their students and trainees and will strengthen the knowledge, skills and capacities of practitioners in this field to improve the delivery of current and future programmes.

The sponsorship of this Chair is part of Qapco’s innovative research and development strategy that focuses on implementing new and innovative ways of developing and supporting the education sector within Qatar in line with the country’s National Vision 2030.

The scope of the Chair is wide ranging and includes a remit to conduct a review and GAP analysis of current vocational curriculum, to act as an in-house expert and champion of vocational training at CNA-Q and to engage in research that will ensure best practices are implemented within the vocational further education sector in Qatar.

Dr Mohammed Yousef Al Mulla, Qapco’s vice chairman and chief executive officer, described the new Chair as one of the most important educational research initiatives to be implemented in Qatar for many years as the Chair Holder will review, design and implement strategies that will improve the overall quality of future graduates, equipping them with the specific competencies required today in Industry.

“I must thank Dr Ken MacLeod and his team at CNA-Q for sharing our vision and passion for vocational train and for agreeing to collaborate on this new initiative that will, I am sure, provide many benefits for the College, for Qapco and for Qatar in general.”

MacLeod, CNA-Q’s president, said: “The partnership between CNA-Q and Qapco has been a long and successful one, and the establishment of the Professional Chair in Vocational Studies is confirmation of our shared vision of the need for, and the potential of, applied learning and vocational training.  CNA-Q has become a beacon of excellence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Qatar and the region, and we are delighted to be partnering with Qapco on this initiative.” - TradeArabia News Service