The Academic Bridge Programme (ABP) has kicked off a season of celebration as it marks its 15th year as a premier foundational setting in the Qatar Foundation (QF) cycle of education.
The launch event, held yesterday in Education City, was attended by all ABP students, faculty and staff.
With the slogan, “Fifteen Years of Bridging Success”, the launch event is the first of a number of special events ABP will organise to mark its 15th year.
There will be a series of roundtable discussions to highlight the performance of the programme and its graduates, as well as a spring charity carnival. Events will culminate with the 15th year alumni celebration and ABP’s 15th graduation ceremony.
Established in 2001, the ABP has developed a two-semester curriculum focused on developing English, maths, science and computer skills combined with a focus on nurturing academic skills such as time management, test taking and independent study skills, according to a statement.
“Additionally, a wide variety of extracurricular activities and a co-educational setting have encouraged young men and women to develop important personal and social skills that have helped them succeed, personally and academically, particularly in Hamad bin Khalifa partner universities or in universities where English is the primary teaching language,” it explains.
As such, the ABP provides an important link in QF’s complete cycle of education as it bridges students’ transition into higher education and serves as a gateway to the future for post-secondary students who want or need some development before they enter college or university.
“At the ABP, we work very hard to stress the importance of responsibility, punctuality, respect, honesty, integrity, and hard work. We help (students) develop goals for themselves and provide the assistance and support they need to achieve those goals,” said Dr Bryan Lewallen, ABP director. “We want to become the ‘first choice’ for graduates of Qatari high schools. We believe that after completing the Academic Bridge Programme, these students will be more confident and better prepared to be successful at the university level.”
Dr Aisha Ahmad Yousuf, one of more than 2,500 ABP graduates who was part of the programme’s inaugural class in 2001, now works as an attending physician in the obstetrics and gynaecology department of QF’s Sidra Medical and Research Center. She is currently doing her fellowship in Toronto, Canada.
“The ABP was an exciting year for us; it prepared us for university life and helped us choose our path,” she said. “Personally, the ABP helped me in choosing medicine.”
Moza al-Boainain, who has been assistant director for student services at the ABP since 2010, said: “Since September 2001, the ABP has helped more than 2,500 boys and girls continue their education in English language universities. Many of the ABP graduates have completed their university studies and are serving Qatar in important leadership positions.”
Extracurricular activities also serve a vital role in the ABP, she added.
For further information, one can visit www.abp.edu.qa