Education City universities offer community classes to the public

Community Education Program at VCU-Q, GU-Q and UCL Qatar offers classes to the general public [Photo by Lolwa Al-Thani]
Community Education Program at VCU-Q, GU-Q and UCL Qatar offers classes to the general public [Photo by Lolwa Al-Thani]

Education City universities will be offering community classes open to the public starting this October.

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar and University College London Qatar will be offering these community classes as part of their community education programs. Registration for all three programs is currently open.

The VCU-Q Community Education Program began in 2008 as a way to introduce the university to the wider community of Doha and to bring more people into Education City, according to Annette Wendling-Willeke, manager of outreach and community classes at VCU-Q.

“The main thing was to raise awareness about art and design within the general community of Doha,” Wendling-Willeke said.

The program has grown substantially over the years, bringing in around 1,400 people in 2015. The price range of the classes varies depending on the class. Classes range from 600 to 1,400 Qatari Riyal.

Sixty-four classes are currently offered in the VCU-Q program. The classes range from painting and writing to photography, filmmaking and computer-aided design. There are also classes for children and classes taught in Arabic. VCU-Q also offers portfolio development classes along with their community program. These courses are specifically aimed at high school students who are thinking of applying to an art school in the future.

People from all fields and backgrounds are welcome to join the Community Education Program at VCU-Q. “I taught a class [called] Color and I had two architects, two graphic designers, a housewife, a nurse, a teacher, a marketing person and someone who worked at Al Jazeera Radio,” Wendling-Willeke said.

Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar started its program two years ago. They are offering 18 different courses this year. Classes begin the week of October 16 and will run for six weeks, Sundays through Wednesdays in the evenings. Participants in the GU-Q program must be 18 years or older. The class topics range from arts, sciences and humanities to career and Personal development. GU-Q also offers classes in Arabic.

“Georgetown has always felt like the faculty would enjoy the interaction, and also the community gets something really positive from interacting with Georgetown faculty,” said Moamer Qazafi, chief communications officer at GU-Q.

The cost of each course at GU-Q is QR 1,935. However, the university also offers a Qatar Foundation members discount at QR 1,550.

The short courses program at UCL Qatar has been offered almost as long as the university has been in operation, since 2011. This year the institution is offering 16 short courses aimed at professionals working in the field of cultural heritage. However, participation from anyone with an interest or knowledge in the field is greatly encouraged, according to John Bull, head of outreach and professional development at UCL Qatar.

Courses at UCL Qatar usually last three to five days. The cost of a class is QR 300 per day of the class. Classes being taught include heritage studies, public programming and exhibitions, museum and heritage management, collections care and management and library studies. Last year’s program enrolled more than 500 students.

“We believe that through these courses, we are able to bring a little bit of awareness about the purpose of museums, archeology and conservation,” Bull said. “There is a huge opportunity here to push forward in terms of cultural engagement.”

Registration for all three education programs can be done online at their websites. VCU-Q and GU-Q also have in-person registration at their respective buildings.

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