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Dr. Ali Chaari, Director of a new online webinar series offered by the Division of Continuing Professional Develop- ment at WCM-Q
Dr. Ali Chaari
Director of a new online webinar series offered by the Division of Continuing Professional Development at WCM-Q “The webinar series will aim to assess and address current gaps in knowledge regarding neurodegenerative diseases in Qatar, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and beyond."
Dr. Ali Chaari is a Biochemist who obtained his degree in engineering biology from the National Engineering School in Tunisia and his PhD in Biochemistry and Cellular Biology from the University of Versailles, France. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Biology at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), where he teaches Biochemistry in the pre-medical division. Dr. Chaari has been a Pl and co-Pl on internally and externally funded projects and has also participated in a host of other projects. This has led to several publications involving pre-medical and medical students. His two active research areas are 1) the study of amyloid proteins modulation in neurodegenerative diseases and type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 2) the role of Microbiome Therapy on health promotion and disease. Dr. THE SERIES RUNS UNTIL OCTOBER 25, 2023. Chaari is also the Director of a new online webinar series offered by the Division of Continuing Professional Development at WCM-Q, titled Protein Misfolding Diseases and Neurodegeneration: From Experimental Approach to Clinical Therapy. The series runs until October 25, 2023. The launch of the series has been timed to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Day to help raise awareness of this important disease.
Who is the target audience for your new webinar course and what is the benefit of healthcare professionals undertaking this training?
The target audience for the new webinar series will be all healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines, including medical students, researchers, and educators. This is because the presentations are organized in a way that explain the basic pathogenesis, causes of onset and development, as well as the most recent advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This will help the participants to promote a better understanding of the healthcare management options for neurodegenerative diseases, both now and into the future.
What are the most prevalent forms of neurodegenerative disease?
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most common neurodegenerative diseases. As an example, the prevalence of AD is roughly 30% among people 85 years and older. With prominent strides in medical science and a gradual increase in overall life expectancy, the global
prevalence of dementia, a primary pathology associated with many such disorders, is expected to increase from 57.4 million in 2019 to 152.8 million by 2050, while the prevalence across the US is to almost double in the same time period.
What is protein misfolding and how does it lead to neurodegenerative disease?
The misfolding of proteins and disruption of protein homeostasis are linked to the accumulation of amyloid fibrils or amorphous aggregates. When this happens in vulnerable neural cells, the resulting neurotoxicity and stress (with the help of the host’s immune cells and associated inflammatory mechanisms) lie behind the primary pathogenesis of the most prevalent age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s Disease (HD), Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and multiple prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt – Jakob disease (CJD). Despite the existence of some similarities between neurodegenerative diseases, the origin of the causes may differ. Protein aggregation and misfolding are also the subjects of discussion of the pathogenesis of non-neurological disorders such as systemic amyloidosis, dialysis-related amyloidosis, type 2 diabetes, and cataract.
Why are neurodegenerative diseases becoming more common?
Neurodegenerative diseases represent a major threat to human health. These age-dependent disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent, in part because the elderly population has increased in recent years. In fact, one in ten individuals aged ≥65 years has AD, and its prevalence continues to increase with increasing age. Also, the change in lifestyle and losing good habits such as a balanced diet, a certain level of physical activity, as well as increased risk of certain diseases such as hypertension and T2D, lead to the increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases.
What are the risk factors for neurodegenerative disease?
Aging is the main risk factor for most neurodegenerative diseases. Besides aging, the combination of a person’s genes and environTHE SERIES WILL ENABLE THE AUDIENCE TO UNDERSTAND THE MECHANISM OF PROTEIN MISFOLDING AND AMYLOID FORMATION BEHIND THE MOST COMMON NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES AND LEARN ABOUT THE MOST RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN THEIR POTENTIAL TREATMENT MODALITIES TO PROMOTE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. ment contributes to their risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease. In fact, the existence of certain genetic polymorphisms can increase the susceptibility of a person to have the associated neurodegenerative disease. For example, someone might have a gene that makes them more susceptible to AD or PD disease, but their environmental exposures can affect whether, when, and how severely they are affected. This is without neglecting the effect of other possible contributing factors, including gender, poor education, and health conditions. For instance, the susceptibility to have neurodegenerative diseases increases with people having one of these conditions: oxidative stress, inflammation, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, head trauma, depression, infection, tumors, vitamin deficiencies and immune and metabolic conditions.
How do neurological diseases affect populations in the MENA region?
Studies of Arab countries, including those of the MENA region, found neurodegenerative diseases to be prevalent regionally, ranging between 1.1-2.3% in the ≥ 50 years population and this percentage is increasing with age to reach 13.5-18.5% in the ≥ 80 years population. The importance of this number, which may increase in the coming years may be explained by the high prevalence of hypertension as well as T2D in the Arab countries.
First, recognizing that a neurodegenerative disease is a condition that affects neurons in the brain, causing symptoms such as memory loss, moodiness, anxiety, depression, and agitation, helps explain how sleep and physical activity affect cognitive function in older adults, who are more susceptible than other groups to neurodegenerative disease. Getting a good sleep, which is defined by getting enough hours of high-quality sleep, increases attention-span and concentration. Sleep also supports numerous other aspects of
thinking, including memory, problem-solving, creativity, emotional processing, and judgment. Related to this, many studies linked poor sleep with longer-term cognitive decline, including the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Research demonstrates that exercise can boost memory and thinking by reducing stress and anxiety as well as improving mood and sleep. In this regard, research demonstrated that increased levels of physical activity in elderly subjects was associated with an increase in their hippocampal volume, which can lead to improved memory performance.
Several studies indicate that a person can try to reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases by exercising regularly, getting plenty of high-quality sleep, eating a healthy and balanced diet, staying mentally and socially active, reducing stress, taking control of their health, and managing chronic conditions.
How is neurodegenerative disease diagnosed and treated?
Previously, some structural neuroimaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used for diagnosis, but due to very low specificity, they have been replaced by new neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Despite significant attempts to find drugs that can treat the symptoms of many neurodegenerative diseases, still there are no effective therapeutics to treat neurodegenerative diseases. The treatments available only manage the symptoms or halt the progression of the disease.
What does the future hold for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disease in the light of new research?
Firstly, we should emphasize the impact of neurodegenerative diseases on the economy since this may justify any high research cost. Taking into consideration Alzheimer’s diseases AI CAN BE USED TO PREDICT COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND TO ANTICIPATE HOW SEVERE SOME SYMPTOMS WILL BE OVER TIME, SUCH AS THE DECLINE OF MOTOR SKILLS. THIS CAN HELP ACCELERATE PATIENT DIAGNOSIS SO THE PROCESS OF MANAGING THE PROGRESSION OF SYMPTOMS CAN BEGIN EARLIER. as an example of neurodegenerative disease, we should note that the average duration of AD is between two and 10 years and this is predicted to cost about $1 trillion per annum in the US alone by 2050. With this in mind, even a therapy that could delay the symptoms of this kind of disease would have a significant positive influence on individuals, families, societies, and economies. Besides this, we should emphasize that the the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases is still not completely understood, and that most of the medication only treats symptoms. With life expectancy increasing, it is important to enhance our understanding of these diseases, their diagnosis, and their mechanisms in order to develop novel therapies. Currently, biological assays, including aggregation, cell viability and cytotoxicity to better understand the modification of neuronal death, signaling assays and neuron function, and the study of new biomarkers that might allow early diagnosis, are vital in helping scientists in better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these conditions, in addition to discovering promising therapies. Further to this, advances in the technologies that allow for the imaging of pathological protein assemblies are one of the important areas of research to focus on.
How is the increasing sophistication of AI changing the research paradigm for neurodegenerative diseases and protein misfolding?
To combat the increased prevalence of protein misfolding, amyloid formation and neurodegenerative diseases, many studies focus on artificial intelligence (AI). In fact, AI can be used to predict cognitive impairment and to anticipate how severe some symptoms will be over time, such as the decline of motor skills. This can help accelerate patient diagnosis so the process of managing the progression of symptoms can begin earlier. Also, researchers can use AI to discover potential drugs and new biomarkers or biological targets that could lead to better treatments.
What action can policymakers and healthcare and research leaders in the MENA region take to address the increasing prevalence of neurological diseases?
In my opinion, the first thing that should be done is to increase awareness of neurodegenerative diseases, the causes that may increase the prevalence of these diseases, and what we as individuals can do to reduce our risk of developing neurodegenerative disease. In this regard, and as a part of the National Health Strategy (2018-2022), the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar (MoPH) and its connected networks acknowledge the challenge of dementia, a common complication of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), through the adoption of the extensive Qatar National Dementia Plan (2018-2022). This plan identifies various gaps, such as a lack of region-specific epidemiological statistics regarding incidence and prevalence, the lack of universal treatment guidelines and legislation, and a lack of adequately trained staff to address demand in the region (Ministry of Public Health, 2018). The MoPH also emphasizes the importance of “healthy ageing” through improving coordination of healthcare to the ever-increasing elderly population in the country (Ministry of Public Health, 2018). To empower this aging population with regards to the management and improvement of their own health and independence, their healthcare personnel should have a basic understanding of the pathogenies and treatment modalities for neurodegenerative diseases that disproportionately affect this group.
How does working with WCM-Q's Division of Continuing Professional Development help drive progress in the research, diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases?
Working with WCM-Q's Division of Continuing Professional Development to develop the webinar series can help contribute to the goals set out in the National Health Strategy (2018-2022) to increase awareness of neurodegenerative diseases. The webinar series will aim to assess and address current gaps in knowledge regarding neurodegenerative diseases in Qatar, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and beyond. Working with the division of CPD on this series allows us to highlight various knowledge gaps related to neurodegenerative diseases and associated disorders. To address some of these gaps, the series will enable the audience to WITH PROMINENT STRIDES IN MEDICAL SCIENCE AND A GRADUAL INCREASE IN OVERALL LIFE EXPECTANCY, THE GLOBAL PREVALENCE OF DEMENTIA, A PRIMARY PATHOLOGY ASSOCIATED WITH MANY SUCH DISORDERS, IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE FROM 57.4 MILLION IN 2019 TO 152.8 MILLION BY 2050. understand the mechanism of protein misfolding and amyloid formation behind the most common neurodegenerative diseases and learn about the most recent advancements in their potential treatment modalities to promote a better understanding of the healthcare management options now and in the future. A survey was conducted to recognize the needed assessment before we proposed this CPD series. The results showed very significant demand for a webinar series that complements the knowledge and competence of healthcare practitioners with regards to managing and caring for patients with neurodegenerative disease and its disorders. This survey will lead to a paper, which is currently in preparation, titled Knowledge and Attitude Towards Neurodegenerative Diseases and Associated Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Healthcare Professionals Across Qatar”.
Another, more research-oriented survey, with a focus on 1) the level of knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, 2) attitudes towards dementia patients, as well as 3) confidence and self-efficacy about dementia patients, is also in preparation.
How do you envision the future development of this activity?
We are confident of the potential success of this series of webinars because it is based on an identified need. The next step will be to expand the series into an annual conference and a series of workshops to further meet the needs of the local and global healthcare community. This will allow us to attract well-recognized healthcare practitioners as well as researchers in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, which will benefit not only the healthcare professionals and researchers in Qatar but also the students. Altogether, this will accord with the goals of National Health Strategy (2018-2022) and Qatar National Vision 2030. We hope this webinar series will provide a great opportunity for WCM-Q to participate as an institution to raising awareness of the disease, as well as dementia, common symptoms, and risk factors attached to it.
Endodontics Specialist at Marble Medical Center – Qatar Dental nerve gives the vitality of the tooth
Dental nerve travels in branches inside each root of the tooth. Its presence gives the vitality of the tooth although this doesn’t mean that its removal affects its function. What are the main causes of dental nerve damages and how can it be treated?
Dr Joanna Azar, Endodontics Specialist at Marble Medical Center – Qatar answers all these questions in the following interview with “Hospitals” magazine.
What is the dental nerve? Where is it found?
The dental nerve is a collection of veins, arteries, and nerve endings. Its bigger part is in the crown of the tooth and is called the pulp chamber.
Then it travels in branches inside each root or “leg” of the tooth until it reaches its ending or as we call it apex or” tip”. NERVE DAMAGE CAN BE TREATED BY A PROCEDURE CALLED ROOT CANAL TREATMENT AND IT IS RECOMMENDED TO BE DONE BY A ROOT CANAL SPECIALIST.
What is its function?
The function of the dental nerve is essentially sensory. It conducts the sensation of heat, cold and pain in the tooth to the central nervous system or “brain”.
Its presence gives the vitality of the tooth although this doesn’t mean that its removal affects its function.
What are the symptoms of dental verve damage?
The symptoms of a dental nerve damage are: acute, continuous, and spontaneous pain.
It increases when exposed to heat and cold and can be intolerable.
The pain is pulse-like. It can get excruciating especially at night time, accompanied by sleep deprivation and is also rebellious to all kind of pain killers.
What causes dental nerve damage?
The main cause of dental nerve damage is deep dental decays reaching that nerve. In addition, a trauma to the tooth can cause an injury to the nerve as well. It is also important to mention that in both cases, the symptoms can be silent and diagnosed fortuitously years later.
What can you do for a nerve pain?
The nerve pain cannot be treated at home. The patient must come urgently to the dentist to soothe the pain. This is done by opening the pulp chamber to relieve the pressure caused by the swelling of blood vessels responding to the aggression of the decay.
If not treated, the pain could subside but would leave place to the formation of a chronic infection: necrosis of the pulp tissue and formation of an abscess in the future only diagnosed with X-rays. If and abscess shows on the gum, this means that the nerve has died long time ago.
How do you treat nerve damage?
Nerve damage can be treated by a procedure called Root Canal Treatment and it is recommended to be done by a Root Canal Specialist. This procedure is harmless and is done under anesthesia. Once the pulp chamber is opened, we will have access to the branching canals by using special tools to go through them. This doesn’t consist of removing the nerve only, but to clean the canals from the dead nerve and its surrounding tissues until the tip or apex.
This is done by cleaning mechanically (using tools) and chemically (using solutions to wash off the residues). The purpose of the RCT is to give the roots a conical shape or triangle in 3D. Then we seal the now empty canals with a paste called “Gutta-Percha”. This paste is biocompatible and harmless, and it will occupy the nerve’s place inside the canal for good.
Neo Center's partner clinic is the unique private clinic RósGlas in Ireland
What makes RósGlas unique is the ratio of staff to guests, an average of 15-20 staff per client. A team of experienced mental health specialists with a 24-hour therapist is solely focused on treating their single guest in their stunning luxury residence equipped with a personal chef, maid, and chauffeur.
From arrival at the airport, throughout the stay, the core values of comfort, confidentiality, and privacy are truly fulfilled in this picturesque, peaceful part of Ireland.
The founder and clinical director of Rosglas Recovery have extensive experience in the 'one client at a time' model of care. He was one of the pioneers of this work and helped develop this approach when he was Clinical Director of the
Pradeep Rosglas FROM ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT, THROUGHOUT THE STAY, THE CORE VALUES OF COMFORT, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND PRIVACY ARE TRULY FULFILLED IN THIS PICTURESQUE, PEACEFUL PART OF IRELAND.
Anthony Obrien USING EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE, THE RÓSGLAS TEAM FIRST IDENTIFIES THE UNDERLYING PSYCHOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL, AND SOCIAL CAUSES OF ANXIETY UNIQUE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL. Kusnacht Practice in Zurich for 4 years. In 2016, he left Switzerland to found Rosglas Recovery. Using expertise and experience, the RósGlas team first identifies the underlying psychological, biochemical, and social causes of anxiety unique to each individual.
The recovery path is then tailored to the specific needs of each guest. This distraction-free, single-guest approach to treatment allows for significant progress in a relatively short period of time. Individualized continuing care plans are offered to each guest for their return home.
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"My career went downhill and I didn't believe I would compete again. I really believed that I wouldn’t live anymore. At NEO, they showed me that anything is possible if I really want it.”
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Dr. Ravinder Mamtani
Vice Dean for Population Health and Lifestyle Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) “We think everyone deserves to have knowledge and skills related to population health and lifestyle medicine. We feel all health professionals - a nurse, a physician, an educator, a researcher, a health administrator and so on – will benefit and help improve and promote health."
Dr. Ravinder Mamtani is Vice Dean for Population Health and Lifestyle Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q). A passionate advocate for preventive medicine, Dr. Mamtani heads the Institute for Population Health (IPH) at WCM-Q, which has just launched a new certificate program to equip professionals working in the health sector with key skills and knowledge to promote public health and enhance the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of people in the MENA region and beyond.
The new Certificate in Population Health and Wellbeing is a 60-hour multidisciplinary and collaborative course that provides training in the domains of population health, healthcare delivery, health policy, evidence-based approaches to health promotion, disease causation and prevention, communicable and non-communicable diseases, lifestyle medicine, crisis management, pandemics, and digital health. The course is delivered in hybrid form, with both in-person and online elements, and has been designed to be highly interactive, featuring a mixture of lectures, classroom-based workshops, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions. The program is open to all interested healthcare professionals. Dr. Mamtani also holds the positions of Professor of Population Health Sciences and Professor of Medicine (Center for Global Health) at WCM-Q.
What motivated the creation of the new Certificate in Population Health and Wellbeing?
There are many reasons and factors that prompted us to create this new certificate program. Perhaps the most pertinent factor has to do with COVID-19, which was a wakeup call for all of us on this planet. The pandemic showed us that as a global community we were ill-prepared to deal with the pandemic but that there was also a great deal of difficulty in reaching consensus on the best way to address the situation.
And so, the new program will have a strong focus on skills and knowledge that will help healthcare practitioners understand the basics of population health, pandemics, and diseases burden, plus quantitative research skills, healthcare delivery models, evidence-based approaches to care, crisis management, and preventive medicine. The program participants will also be exposed to contemporary topics such as precision health, planetary health, and sustainability. Looking beyond COVID-19, the data on chronic illness over the past 20 to 25 years show us that we have a serious health crisis in this area. Indeed, this can be understood as a pandemic of chronic illness. We know that people are experiencing premature mortality, they are dying earlier due to heart disease, cancer, and other chronic problems; this is not acceptable. The new certificate aims to provide health enthusiasts - who can contribute to the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of people in the Middle East and beyond – with the foundational knowledge of these issues so that they can serve as ‘health agents’ to promote good health.
Please tell us about the role of lifestyle medicine in the Certificate of Population Health and Wellbeing.
We now know from lots of very good data from high-quality research that many of the chronic illnesses we see relate to unhealthy lifestyles. As such, there is a great potential for reducing premature death by using lifestyle medicine approaches like healthy diet, physical activity, healthy sleep patterns, and so on.
The greatest impetus for us is that we alTHE NEW CERTIFICATE IN POPULATION HEALTH AND WELLBEING IS A 60-HOUR MULTIDISCIPLINARY AND COLLABORATIVE COURSE THAT PROVIDES TRAINING IN THE DOMAINS OF POPULATION HEALTH, HEALTHCARE DELIVERY, HEALTH POLICY, EVIDENCEBASED APPROACHES TO HEALTH PROMOTION, DISEASE CAUSATION AND PREVENTION, COMMUNICABLE AND NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES, LIFESTYLE MEDICINE, CRISIS MANAGEMENT, PANDEMICS, AND DIGITAL HEALTH. ready know these lifestyle medicine approaches are effective. We have ways to help people live longer and to be healthier as they age. So we feel a very strong moral obligation to promote this approach, and view this as a great opportunity to improve health, wellbeing and quality of life for a great many people.
Why does the new certificate address social conditions as a determinant of health?
It has become apparent that there are not just medical or clinical reasons that determine who suffers from various health problems – there are social determinants, too. And so, we felt it would be good to bring in a discussion on social determinants such as inequity, inadequate literacy, and lack of access to basic healthcare.
Why should basic healthcare not be available to everyone regardless of their economic or social status? I am reminded of US President Franklin Roosevelt’s quote: “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”
What is the role of education in population health and wellbeing?
From our own research at IPH and review of literature, we have noted that public health topics such as lifestyle medicine, environmental health, social determinants of health and health policy do not get addressed in health curricula of medical schools around the world (at WCM-Q, we have included various population health and preventive medicine topics in our own curriculum).
This means that many physicians and other healthcare practitioners treating patients all over the world have not had the benefit of
formal instruction and training in various components and subject areas of public/population health. This certificate program aims to address this knowledge gap.
What is to be understood by the terms ‘wellbeing’ and ‘being healthy’, which are used so frequently?
According to the Centers for Disease Control in the US, “well-being is a positive outcome that is meaningful for people and for many sectors of society, because it tells us that people perceive that their lives are going well.” When the World Health Organization came up with their definition of health, they spoke about physical, mental, social, and spiritual health, not just about absence of disease or infirmity. I don’t see how you can separate physical and social health from mental health. So wellbeing is a holistic concept whereby we understand health to have many interacting components rather than compartmentalizing the various elements of health and treating them individually.
What is the economic argument for promoting population health and wellbeing?
This was nicely summarized in a UK journal (The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health). What they said was very important: that the return on investment for public health interventions is 14; i.e., for every dollar, riyal, pound, or euro you spend, you will get a return of 14 dollars, pounds, et cetera. When you look at something like this how can you not pay attention to public health (i.e., population health) and wellbeing? This is such a striking observation, and we really think it is time to pay attention to this aspect of healthcare costs. Appropriate use of the available resources at the present time will free up funds – in the future - for use in other areas of healthcare and development, leading to better health outcomes overall in any given society.
What are some of the obstacles to population health and lifestyle medicine approaches becoming more widely adopted to address global health challenges?
We live in a culture where we are looking for instant gratification and quick fixes; there is a great emphasis on developing new medicines and treatments that can easily fix health problems without us having to change our lifestyles or think long-term. That is not to denigrate existing conventional therapies or the process of developing new drugs, which clearly play a crucial role in healthcare, but that mindset is so pervasive and dominant that there is a tendency to disregard alternative effective options that take a little longer to deliver the health benefits we wish to see. Of course, it takes a little longer for a positive lifestyle change to deliver improved health but the long-term results in most cases are superior. Also, it is not necessarily an either/or scenario; it is usually the case that someone suffering from heart disease or type 2 diabetes for example, will benefit from taking a prescribed medication and also making positive lifestyle changes such as improving their diet, quitting smoking and beginning to exercise regularly. Ignoring lifestyle health is not an option.
I think in general, healthcare professionals don’t receive much education or training in public health and lifestyle health. If you don’t cover that in medical curricula, how can we expect healthcare professionals to be up-to-date on public health and lifestyle medicine matters or to advocate for these approaches?
Who can participate in the new certificate program?
All healthcare practitioners or professionals are welcome to join this program. We think everyone deserves to have knowledge and skills related to population health and lifestyle medicine. We feel all health professionals - a nurse, a physician, an educator, a researcher, a health administrator and so on – will benefit and help improve and promote health. We want to broaden this so that it reaches as many professionals as possible. We believe this Certificate
in Population Health will do that. And we are ready to take the lead.
What material will be studied in the Certificate Program and how will it be presented?
One of our key objectives is to make the program as interactive as possible. There will be thematic discussions/seminars and we will also allow participants to ask questions and share their experiences. It is great for experts to share their knowledge but it is also important for participants - who may have a great deal of extremely relevant experience from the frontline of healthcare delivery and from real life - to be able to contribute, too. Otherwise we would be shutting ourselves off from very useful and pertinent knowledge. As such, there will also be panel discussions with experts answering questions asked by participants and engaging in discussions with participants. In addition, there is an online component to the program with supplementary materials such as video lectures, worksheets and quizzes that will be available for the participants. The combination of these elements together makes our program very effective.
The program has several modules. The first module will address basic concepts in health and disease, population health and preventive medicine. The second module will consist of instruction on quantitative research and evidence-based approach to medicine and health. The third module will deal with delivery of healthcare. Recently we saw with COVID-19 how healthcare was disrupted completely and how the established health delivery methods broke down. Having a good understanding of different healthcare delivery models is therefore useful, especially in a crisis.
The fourth module is about the existing disease burden (both communicable and non-communicable) and the associated challenges we face. The final module addresses the optimization of health and wellbeing with a perspective that looks into the future, so there will be ARE YOU A NUTRITIONIST? A PHYSICIAN OR A NURSE? RESEARCHER? HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR? A PHYSICAL THERAPIST? DO YOU WANT TO COME AND TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR INTEREST IN POPULATION HEALTH AND YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THESE ISSUES? COME, ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. discussion on topics such as climate change, sustainability, on humanizing healthcare, on digital health, the potential role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and healthcare communication.
Why have you adopted such an inclusive approach to this Certificate Program?
Health and disease paradigms are driven by a variety of factors. Our program provides a platform for exchange of ideas and information among professionals with variable backgrounds. We want to hear and learn from people working in health and related institutions. Anyone involved in healthcare can join this program. Are you a nutritionist? A physician or a nurse? Researcher? Health administrator? A physical therapist? Do you want to come and talk to us about your interest in population health and your thoughts about these issues? Come, enroll in the program, we want to hear from you. The same goes for counselors, psychologists and other health professionals. Come on over, join us and help improve health of people in the region and beyond. This opportunity is a significant, additional step towards establishing Qatar’s position in setting high standards of health and well-being in the region and beyond.
Deborah Mukherji, MD, MBBS, FRCP
Consultant Medical Oncologist at Clemenceau Medical Dubai “Dostarlimab has shown very promising results of a rare type of rectal cancer"
Cancer is a general term to describe the uncontrolled or abnormal growth of cells in the body. The approach to cancer treatment depends on many factors including the tissue in which the cancer started (cancer type) and where it has spread in the body (cancer stage). ‘Hospitals’ magazine interviewed Dr. Deborah Mukherji, Consultant Medical Oncologist-CMC Dubai- who talked about the new approaches and procedures for cancer treatment.
For cancers that are detected at an early stage before they have spread to other parts of the body, treatment is usually aimed to cure the disease and may include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and sometimes immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
For cancers that have spread, surgery may not be possible; however, treatment such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy may be able to control the disease and improve symptoms.
What is the importance of personalized medicine in treating cancer patient? Can you explain to our readers what is personalized medicine?
Personalized medicine in cancer treatment refers to testing cancer cells for specific mutations or targets that can be treated by specific medications. An example of this is testing lung cancers for mutations that can be targeted by tablet therapies more effectively than chemotherapy.
Can you combine chemotherapy and immunotherapy? When do you need to do that?
Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment for certain cancers that allows the body’s own immune cells to recognize and kill cancer cells. This treatment can be combined with chemotherapy for some types of cancer such as lung cancer and certain types of breast cancer.
Let’s talk about Dostarlimab. What can you tell us about this breakthrough?
PERSONALIZED MEDICINE IN CANCER TREATMENT REFERS TO TESTING CANCER CELLS FOR SPECIFIC MUTATIONS OR TARGETS THAT CAN BE TREATED BY SPECIFIC MEDICATIONS. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS TESTING LUNG CANCERS FOR MUTATIONS THAT CAN BE TARGETED BY TABLET THERAPIES MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN CHEMOTHERAPY.
Dostarlimab is a type of immunotherapy that has shown very promising results in a recent trial of a rare type of rectal cancer. In cancers that form due to an error in repairing DNA known as defective mismatch repair, tumor cells have multiple mutations that make them responsive to treatment with immunotherapy including Dostarlimab. In a small clinical trial of 14 patients with rectal cancer due to defective mismatch repair, treatment with Dostarlimab was shown to eliminate 100% of these tumors without the need for radiation, chemotherapy or surgery which are the standard treatments. This is a significant breakthrough; however, there hasn’t been enough follow-up with patients to know if their cancer has been completely cured with the treatment. It is also important to know that less than 15% of cancers have defective mismatch repair and would potentially be responsive to this treatment.
The purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to improve visual appearance using modern advances in dentistry, cosmetic procedures. “Hospitals” magazine interviewed Dr. Kaisa Stroher, Prosthodontics at Marble Medical Center – Qatar.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
It primarily focuses on improvement in dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance. Smile enhancement can have dramatic results on your overall appearance; even the smallest step can boost your confidence, self-esteem, and make you want to smile more. With modern advances in dentistry, cosmetic procedures can range from a basic color correction to replacing missing teeth, and everything in between. GIVING A YOUNG AND HEALTHY SMILE MEANS A LOT ABOUT YOUR CARE FOR YOURSELF.
What Does a Cosmetic Dentist do?
Dentists are now using more conservative techniques to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible, depending on your specific clinical situation. Dental work can be made entirely of porcelain or composite materials that more closely mimic the appearance of natural tooth structure. These tooth-colored materials are bonded to the underlying tooth structure with resin adhesives. The American Dental Association does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specialty. Prosthodontics is the only dental specialty under which the concentration of cosmetic/esthetic dentistry falls.
One example is a case of Full Mouth Rehabilitation:
• Some x-ray and others imaging exams are made first. • Some photos and videos must be done. • A study cast model from patient mounted in an articulator semi-adjustable will be sent to the laboratory and a diagnostic wax will be made digitally, your future smile design will be made according to aesthetics parameters combined with your facial characteristics. • A mock up to try in the future smile, dentist and patient are able to observe the final result even before starting treatment.
What are examples of cosmetic dentistry available at Marble Medical Center?
• Teeth Whitening • Dental Veneers and Composite Veneers • Dental Crowns • Dental Implants • Smile Design • Full Mouth Reconstruction
Who benefits from cosmetic dentistry?
Some indications are: 1- Close Spaces between teeth 2- Chipped or broken teeth 3- Crowded and malpositioned teeth 4- Replacement of Missing teeth 5- Short teeth 6- Improving teeth color, contour and shape 7- Correction of the anterior teeth guidance to equilibrate the function and protect the whole system ( teeth, muscle, articulation), offering long-lasting results.
Giving a young and healthy smile means a lot about your care for yourself. The condition of your teeth, gums, supporting bone structure and occlusion has an impact on the longevity of any dental procedure. You may require additional care for these conditions before cosmetic treatment begins. In some cases, a full mouth reconstruction may be part of your procedure plan.
What about the difference between cosmetic and general Dentistry?
The main difference between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry is that if you are concerned about how your teeth look, visiting a cosmetic dentist will provide you with your highest-quality aesthetic results.
The purpose of restorative dentistry is to restore function, while the purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to improve visual appearance.
Can restorative dental procedures also offer cosmetic benefits?
Cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry are two similar practices of dentistry aimed at improving the health of the teeth and gums as well as their appearance. If you are thinking of undergoing a cosmetic procedure, ask your dentist if you will need some restorative work done before the procedure.
Childhood Obesity
A serious condition that causes several diseases later in life
Childhood obesity is on the rise in various countries of the world. Lifestyle issues, too little activity and too many calorie intake, are the main contributors to childhood obesity. However, genetic and hormonal factors might play a role as well.
It's particularly troubling because the extra pounds often lead children to develop obesity-related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity is far from being an aesthetic problem, or a passing stage in a child's life that goes away with his growth and development. It can profoundly affect children's physical health, social, and emotional well-being, and self-esteem. It has been reported that children with obesity are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to peers of normal weight.
How to calculate obesity in children?
Body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to determine childhood weight status. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. For children and teens, BMI is age- and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age.
The BMI-for-age charts are used as a screening tool to evaluate overweight and underweight in children and adolescents. Growth charts consist of a series of percentile curves that illustrate the distribution of selected body measurements in children. Pediatric growth charts have been used by pediatricians, nurses, and parents to track the growth of infants, children, and adolescents.
However, growth charts are not a sole diagnostic tool but should be used along other tools as well. Growth charts are frequently used to educate parents about their children’s growth. The standard BMI is calculated based on the child's height and weight, but the index does not measure body fat but rather the volume THE BMI-FOR-AGE CHARTS ARE USED AS A SCREENING TOOL TO EVALUATE OVERWEIGHT AND UNDERWEIGHT IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. GROWTH CHARTS CONSIST OF A SERIES OF PERCENTILE CURVES THAT ILLUSTRATE THE DISTRIBUTION OF SELECTED BODY MEASUREMENTS IN CHILDREN. PEDIATRIC GROWTH CHARTS HAVE BEEN USED BY PEDIATRICIANS, NURSES, AND PARENTS TO TRACK THE GROWTH OF INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND ADOLESCENTS. of tissue including muscle, fat and bone in the child. BMI is a screening tool that can indicate whether a person is underweight or if they have a healthy weight, excess weight, or obesity.
Causes and risk factors
There are many causes and factors that lead to obesity including genetic factors, where the risk of obesity increases in a child whose parents are obese. Psychological factors such as personal, parental and family stress can also increase the child's risk of obesity and weight problems.
An unbalanced diet, lack of exercise and certain medications are all factors that lead to weight gain and obesity in children.
The main causes include:
• Diet: Regularly eating high-calorie and unhealthy foods can cause your child to gain weight. Candy, desserts and sugary drinks can also cause weight gain. • Lack of exercise: Children who don't exercise much are more likely to gain weight. Too much time spent in sedentary activities, such as watching television or playing video games, also contributes to the problem. • Psychological factors: Personal, parental and family stress can increase a child's risk of obesity. Some children overeat to cope with problems or to deal with emotions, such as stress, or to fight boredom. • Genetic factors: They cause childhood obesity by affecting the eating pattern and metabolism, and there are genes that make the child more likely to become obese.
Also, secondary obesity means that you have a medical condition that has caused you to gain weight. These diseases include endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothalamic disorders and some congenital conditions in addition to some chromosomal syndromes such as Turner's syndrome and Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome. Long-term treatment with corticosteroids also leads to secondary obesity.
Your child's doctor might order blood tests that may include a cholesterol test, a blood sugar test and other blood tests to check for hormone imbalances or other conditions associated with obesity. YOUR CHILD'S DOCTOR MIGHT ORDER BLOOD TESTS THAT MAY INCLUDE A CHOLESTEROL TEST, A BLOOD SUGAR TEST AND OTHER BLOOD TESTS TO CHECK FOR HORMONE IMBALANCES OR OTHER CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY.. Complications
Physical complications of childhood obesity may include: • Type 2 diabetes: This chronic condition affects the way your child's body uses glucose. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• High cholesterol and high blood
pressure: A poor diet can cause your child to develop one or both of these conditions. These factors can contribute to the buildup of plaques in the arteries, which can cause arteries to narrow and harden, possibly leading to a heart attack or stroke later in life. • Joint pain: Extra weight causes extra stress on hips and knees. Childhood obesity can cause pain and sometimes injuries in the hips, knees and back. • Breathing problems: Asthma is more common in children who are overweight. These children are also more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially serious disorder in which a child's breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
• Social and emotional complications:
Children who have obesity may experience teasing or bullying by their peers. This can result in a loss of self-esteem and an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
Treatment
Treatment for childhood obesity is based on your child's age and whether he has other medical conditions. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism can cause obesity and can be treated with drugs that include the thyroxine hormone, which plays a crucial role in metabolism and muscle control.
The doctor develops the appropriate treatment plan based on physical activity and healthy food. He makes radical lifestyle changes, provided that this is done little by little, taking into account the child’s age and nutritional needs to maintain proper growth.
Parents can contribute to their children's
health and reduce childhood obesity by helping their children maintain an active lifestyle and eat a healthy diet. They should focus on serving their children whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts and lean proteins. Cut back on processed and convenience foods like cookies, crackers, fast food, and prepared meals, all of which can be high in sugar, fat and calories. Children should be encouraged to increase their physical activity and limit screen time in order to prevent a sedentary lifestyle. In addition to burning calories, physical activity strengthens children’s bones and muscles, helps them fall asleep and get good quality rest, and can boost their mood and energy.
Psychological support during treatment is key, as the child needs support and encouragement to lose weight.
He must also participate in recreational and entertaining activities that keep him busy and prevent boredom eating.
CHILDREN SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO INCREASE THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND LIMIT SCREEN TIME IN ORDER TO PREVENT A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE.
Strabismus is a common eye condition among children. It is when the eyes are not lined up properly and they point in different directions. One or both of your child's eyes may turn inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), upward (hypertropia), or downward (hypotropia). Kids can be born with strabismus or develop it in childhood. It can be constant or intermittent.
Strabismus can be congenital if it appears in an infant before the age of six months, and acquired in childhood if it begins after the age of two or three years, and sometimes it may develop in adulthood. It is not easy for parents to detect the condition, especially if the child suffers from a mild squint, therefore, regular examination with the pediatrician is the first step towards diagnosis, then the child will be referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist to assess his condition.
By the age of 3 to 4 months, an infant's eyes should be able to focus on small objects and the eyes should be straight and well-aligned. A 6-month-old infant should be able to focus on objects both near and far. Strabismus usually appears in infants and young children, and most often by the time a child is 3 years old. The most prominent symptom of strabismus is misaligned eyes. Children with strabismus may turn their heads to help them focus their dominant eye on things they see. They may also squint in moderate light or have problems judging distance. Amblyopia (or lazy eye) can happen when strabismus isn't treated — the brain starts to ignore what the weaker eye sees, which can make vision blurry, cause double vision, and affect a kid's depth perception. These problems can become permanent if they're not treated.
What causes strabismus?
Strabismus can occur for several reasons, including: • Congenital causes, which appear immediately after birth or during the first six months of life. • Vision defects, or long-sightedness, which appears in children after age 4 or 5. • Lazy eye • Neurological problems and hydrocephalus • Paralytic squint, which is the inability of the eye muscles to move the eye due to muscle paralysis.
In children under 6 months of age, risk factors for strabismus include family history of strabismus, genetic disorders (such as Down syndrome), prenatal drug exposure (including alcohol), prematurity, birth defects of the eyes, and cerebral palsy.
In children 6 months of age or older, strabismus is often caused by a refractive error (excessive farsightedness - hyperopia) or an imbalance IN CHILDREN UNDER 6 MONTHS OF AGE, RISK FACTORS FOR STRABISMUS INCLUDE FAMILY HISTORY OF STRABISMUS, GENETIC DISORDERS (SUCH AS DOWN SYNDROME), PRENATAL DRUG EXPOSURE (INCLUDING ALCOHOL), PREMATURITY, BIRTH DEFECTS OF THE EYES, AND CEREBRAL PALSY.. in the pull of muscles that control the position of the eyes. Severe vision loss in one eye (due to refractive error or less common disorders such as cataracts) can cause strabismus because it interferes with the brain’s ability to maintain the alignment of the eyes. Other causes include retinoblastoma (a type of eye cancer) and neurologic conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, weakness of cranial nerves that control eye movement, head injury, and viral infection of the brain (encephalitis). Sometimes a fracture of the eye socket can block movement of the eye and cause strabismus.
The most common types of strabismus:
• Congenital strabismus: It appears at birth and genetic factors play an important role. It appears clearly at the age of six months. Often the strabismus disappears or occurs intermittently, sometimes in the right eye and sometimes in the left eye. Treatment is surgery, wearing glasses, or a combination of the two. • Accommodative esotropia: This often occurs in cases of uncorrected farsightedness and a genetic predisposition (family history) for the eyes to turn in.
Because the ability to focus is linked to where the eyes are pointing, the extra focusing effort needed to keep distant objects in clear focus may cause the eyes to turn inward. This condition is usually treated with bifocal or multifocal glasses, but may also require eye patching and/or surgery on the muscles of one or both eyes. • Intermittent exotropia: In this type of strabismus, one eye will fixate on a target while the other eye is pointing outward. Intermittent exotropia can happen at any age. Treatment may involve glasses, patching, eye exercises and/or surgery on the muscles of one or both eyes.
Diagnosis
Parents play an important role in the early detection of the condition. Anyone older than four months of age who appears to have strabismus should have a complete eye examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist, with extra time spent examining how the eyes focus and move. For most patients, an office visit alone is enough to diagnose their eye conditions and provide a treatment plan. Each child undergoes a careful history and clinical evaluation. When examining the child's eyes, the ophthalmologist can tell whether the patient suffers from strabismus or not. In cases of pseudostrabismus, the eyes are well aligned but appear to be misaligned. Pseudostrabismus does not require treatment and the appearance tends to improve with time as facial grows.
Treatment options
The younger the patient, the more effective the treatment, as there are multiple treatment options that lead to excellent results. It is important to diagnose and treat a lazy eye before initiating the treatment of strabismus, as the doctor can determine the degree of laziness and the degree of visual impairment by measuring the visual acuity of the child even in the first months of life using the latest optic nerve imaging devices. WHEN EXAMINING THE CHILD'S EYES, THE OPHTHALMOLOGIST CAN TELL WHETHER THE PATIENT SUFFERS FROM STRABISMUS OR NOT. IN CASES OF PSEUDOSTRABISMUS, THE EYES ARE WELL ALIGNED BUT APPEAR TO BE MISALIGNED. PSEUDOSTRABISMUS DOES NOT REQUIRE TREATMENT AND THE APPEARANCE TENDS TO IMPROVE WITH TIME AS FACIAL GROWS.. Among the treatment options available:
• Eyeglasses or contact lenses • Prism lenses: Special lenses that can bend light entering the eye and help reduce the amount of turning the eye must do to look at objects. • Orthoptics (eye exercises): May work on some types of strabismus, especially convergence insufficiency (a form of exotropia). • Medications: Eye drops or ointments. • Patching: To treat amblyopia (lazy eye), if the patient has it at the same time as strabismus. The improvement of vision may also improve control of eye misalignment. • Eye muscle surgery: Surgery changes the length or position of eye muscles so that the eyes are aligned correctly.
Some cases require surgery to straighten the eye muscles after resorting to all alternative treatment methods. In some other cases, surgery is the only effective treatment solution.
All strabismus surgeries in children are performed under general anesthesia as well as in some adult patients, but local anesthesia is also an option.
Qatar’s universities provide world-class education for students in the region
International degrees that can be attained close to home
Berthold Trenkel Francisco Marmolejo
Qatar Tourism in collaboration with Qatar Foundation and Qatar University launched an education campaign to showcase to students, parents, counsellors and educators in the GCC region the country’s esteemed university offering and the benefits of choosing to study in Qatar.
A young and multi-faceted country, Qatar recognises the role of education in creating thriving communities. Qatar has established one of the world’s most cross-disciplinary education hubs where students can graduate with internationally recognised degrees from leading universities and institutions in a warm and hospitable environment.
As one of the safest countries in the world, with a diverse economy and society, Qatar offers students a unique environment of learning. It brings together a wide array of top-level international partner universities, in addition to highly rated homegrown universities, research centres, incubators for innovation and entrepreneurship, and exciting and transformative opportunities for involvement in community activities and programs. Only a short flight away from all parts of the region, students and their parents can remain in close proximity during the duration of their studies. Qatar offers students the opportunity to obtain the same degree as that from the
Dr. Eiman Mustafawi
AS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN, CNN, ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY DISTRIBUTED NEWS CHANNELS IN THE WORLD, VISITED QATAR TO FILM ITS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES AND INTERVIEW CURRENT STUDENTS - THIS WILL BE FEATURED IN 30 AND 60 SECOND VIDEOS ON THE NEWS CHANNEL AND DIGITAL PLATFORM. university’s home campus, while remaining close to the region’s culture. Qatar’s tradition and modernity combination is difficult to find elsewhere. The country celebrates its heritage, but still offers students modern amenities, new hotels and a mix of international cultures, cuisines and lifestyles. As part of the campaign, CNN, one of the most widely distributed news channels in the world, visited Qatar to film its educational institutes and interview current students - this will be featured in 30 and 60 second videos on the news channel and digital platform.
Commenting on the campaign, Berthold Trenkel, Qatar Tourism, COO, said: “Qatar has always understood the power of Education and has therefore heavily invested to ensure the educational landscape in the country is international, cutting-edge, and diverse. Qatar has a dynamic university offering, and through this campaign, we will be able to highlight what makes Qatar the right choice for university education. Qatar uniquely combines globally renowned education with a rich culture, safe environment, world-class facilities, social stability, and excellent employment opportunities.”
Qatar Foundation (QF) has created a globally unique, multidisciplinary ecosystem of education, comprising branch campuses of seven of the world’s leading universities, as well as QF’s homegrown Hamad Bin Khalifa University. These universities offer degrees in areas ranging from medicine, engineering, communications, international affairs, computer science, and art and design to Islamic studies, law and public policy, humanities and social sciences, cybersecurity, and sustainability. With these institutions being located just yards from each other at QF’s Education City, students can cross-register for courses at different universities, enrol in joint academic programs, and experience a flexible and highly
personalised education, while gaining real-world research and innovation experience and benefiting from sports and community facilities and opportunities for cross-cultural interaction in a safe and respectful environment.
“Our multiversity approach - making it possible for students to maximize their educational experience by preparing them not only for a profession, but for life- is the best formula for the future of our region,” said Francisco Marmolejo, QF’s President of Higher Education. “At Qatar Foundation, we work towards unlocking the potential of all our students to become well-rounded and value-driven graduates who are truly committed and dedicated to leading and shaping their communities. The Education City ecosystem is a place where students become globally able citizens who are strongly rooted in the values and traditions of the region, while retaining a strong sense of community service.”
Additionally, Qatar University (QU) continues to serve as the country’s primary institution of higher education. QU has eleven colleges and 94 different programs and offers quality education to more than 25,000 multinational students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. QATAR UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO SERVE AS THE COUNTRY’S PRIMARY INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION. Qatar University has a substantial pool of skilled and in-demand graduates, a rising number of highly-regarded specialised Masters and Ph.D. programs and numerous noteworthy research accomplishments.
Dr. Eiman Mustafawi, Vice President for Student Affairs at Qatar University said, “We continue to put forth the effort and commitment necessary to offering a student-centered educational experience that supports our students' academic success and personal development, in alignment with Qatar's higher education standards which are as competitive as those of renowned universities around the world.” “Qatar University stands today as an icon of academic excellence and as the fastest growing university in research in the region. Qatar University’s graduates are professional and competent. It is worth mentioning that each year Qatar University recruits thousands of students, including international students, who comprise no less than 30% of the student population at Qatar University,” Dr. Eiman added.
To learn more about Qatar’s educational offering, visit: https://www.visitqatar.qa/intlen/things-to-do/education
