Oct 15, 2018

QCDC Organizes Advanced Training Program for Academic Counselors Across Qatar

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Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), a member of Qatar Foundation, has organized an advanced training program on the use of its Career Advising System (CAS). The one-week program, which kicked off on October 8 at the Qatar National Convention Centre, was implemented in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Qatar and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to provide training to over 90 academic counselors and career practitioners.

The program familiarized academic and career counselors with the use of CAS, a unique career advising system which provides tailor-made solutions that factor in Qatar’s social and economic conditions. QCDC developed CAS in co-operation with Kuder Inc., a world leader in career planning services, and various government entities, to integrate specialized IT solutions into the career guidance framework in Qatar.

QCDC rolled out CAS across public secondary schools in Qatar during the second semester of the 2017-2018 academic year within the framework of a memorandum of understanding between QCDC and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

Commenting on the program, Mr. Abdulla Al-Mansoori, Director, QCDC, said: “This advanced training program builds on our achievements last year, including the training of 70 academic counselors from different schools across Qatar.

“Today, QCDC, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Qatar and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, is working to promote capacity building and instill a culture of career guidance at the core of our schools’ objectives. As Qatar pursues its journey toward promoting a knowledge-based economy, a balance must be struck between the demands of the labor market and youth aspirations,” Al-Mansoori added.

Carissa Gonzalez, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Qatar, said: “We are proud to support QCDC and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in delivering this important training program to Qatar’s academic and career advisors. A comprehensive career and academic advising program is an integral part of any education system, and we are thrilled that QCDC has chosen a leading American company – Kuder Inc. – as their service provider.”

The training program brought together nearly 90 participants, including 70 academic counselors from public schools across Qatar, as well as participants from the Academic Bridge Program – under Pre-University Education at QF – which recently inked a partnership with QCDC to use and activate CAS.

Mrs. Noor Al- Maadheed, Head of Academic Counseling, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, said: “The Ministry of Education and Higher Education dedicates a great deal of attention to career guidance, given the key role it plays in guiding students throughout their academic and professional journeys and in supporting youth in developing their talents and acquiring new skills. These efforts will reflect positively on Qatar in terms of graduating youth who meet the state’s need for qualified professionals.

“We believe in the great role that academic counselors play in the career guidance process. Through our various partnerships, we seek to provide specialized training to promote career guidance across schools in a bid to prepare students ahead of going to university,” she added.

The training program was delivered by J. Clayton Kennedy, a certified senior business consultant and a Global Career Development Facilitator.

As Vice President of Global Client Relations at Kuder Inc., Kennedy is responsible for devising strategies in alignment with career programs and initiatives in the public and private sectors. Before joining the organization, he spent over ten years as a global business leader coach.

The new career advising system features diverse and innovative components as well as psychometric and personality assessment tools to help students identify the most appropriate academic and career paths in line with the future needs of Qatar.