UCQ, PHCC partner to expand academic opportunities to nursing leaders

The University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) today signed a memorandum of understanding that allows PHCC to sponsor its nurses in UCQ's Master of Nursing program.

The landmark agreement further enhances Qatar's growing health workforce by granting top nursing professionals from PHCC, one of Qatar's largest healthcare providers operating through 21 primary health care centers, the opportunity to pursue UCQ's advanced degrees.

The University of Calgary in Qatar contributes to the achievement of key goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030 as well as the National Health Strategy 2011-2016 by educating the country's nursing leaders.

This memorandum of understanding between UCQ and PHCC strengthens the partnership between Qatar's sole academic institution for the nursing profession with one of the country's biggest employers of nurses.

"By combining PHCC's dedication to providing exceptional health care services with UCQ's commitment to develop the country's nursing leaders, we make great strides in achieving Qatar's health goals," noted Dr. Kim Critchley, UCQ Dean and CEO.

"This agreement empowers PHCC's nursing professionals by providing them an opportunity to further develop their skills and will ultimately improve the quality of patient care throughout Qatar." The partnership will directly contribute to the country's human development, as it will focus on sponsoring Qatari-preferred PHCC students in UCQ's Master of Nursing program.

The agreement paves the way for PHCC nurses to elevate their professional status through the program, which will equip them with the knowledge and training to be successful in leadership positions.

The first intake of PHCC-sponsored students will commence in January 2016; applications for the January 2017 intake will be accepted beginning in the fall of 2015.

"Primary Health Care Corporation is committed to supporting the continuous development of its human resources by enhancing the professional education options available to its staff. By expanding our partnership with University of Calgary in Qatar, we will improve the quality of PHCC's services to reach an international level of advanced standards while adapting to new trends in the health care sector," said Dr. Mariam Abdulmalik, PHCC Managing Director.

Since UCQ established its internationally-recognized Canadian nursing education in Qatar in 2007, 150 nursing professionals have graduated from its gold-standard Bachelor of Nursing (BN) programs. Currently, 30 students are enrolled in its three MN streams, which include the MN Leadership, MN Oncology and MN Thesis-Based programs. Over 450 students are enrolled in its BN programs.

UCQ's first MN class recently completed their studies and will graduate this upcoming fall. Earning advanced nursing degrees in oncology and thesis-based research, they will be the first MN graduates educated in Qatar, for Qatar.
UCQ's next MN programs will commence in January 2016.