Medicine Unlimited at the Weill Cornell Medical College at Qatar has held its annual career fair offering high school students and their families a glimpse of science and medicine and the possibility of choosing a career in the healthcare field.
The interactive event introduced more than 320 students to WCMC-Q faculty, who shared simulations and demonstrations that reviewed the workings of genes, molecules and the human body.
Admissions and Student Affairs staff members were also available to discuss the requirements for entrance into the institution and how to succeed in a chosen career.
WCMC-Q dean Dr Javaid Sheikh, who welcomed the students to the event said: “We want to give you first-hand information about our pre-medical and medical programme at WCMC-Q and let you see for yourselves what the Education City campus and our school offer.”
The WCMC-Q six-year programme of studies leads to the MD degree from Cornell University.
“We want high school students to gain an awareness of the many potential careers the fields of medicine and science can open for them. We also want them to see our facilities, which are truly world-class. Our goal is to highlight the excellent programme we offer here in Doha,” student recruitment director Noha Saleh explained.
Senior lecturer in biology, Phyllis Griffard, introduced students to genetic engineering by explaining how bacterial plasmid DNA is cut into fragments and separated using gel electrophoresis.
Students were able to go into the biology laboratory with senior biology lecturer Christopher Ogdento see the technique in operation and try their hands at using pipettes to load gels.
Another senior lecturer from chemistry, Sheila Qureshi, and assistant professor of chemistry, James Roach, used balloons to help students understand the shape of molecules, an important first step in being able to discuss and predict their chemical properties.
Balloon models of methane - a gas produced and exported in abundance by Qatar- were distributed.
Using medical models and mannequins, medical students helped explain the functioning of the human body while faculty physicians discussed their specialties ranging from psychiatry to neurology to paediatrics and geriatrics.
Other highlight was a quiz show, which allowed students to test their knowledge and win prizes.
“Our goal is to introduce prospective students to WCMC-Q in a fun and relaxed atmosphere,” admissions assistant dean and pharmacology professor Chris Triggle, who was the master of ceremony, said.
Dr Uthman explaining images of the brain with high school students at the fair
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar