College of the North Atlantic�s Qatar project reaches another milestone

Joan Burke, Minister of Education, and Bruce Hollett, President of College of the North Atlantic, reported today that the college�s campus in the Middle East State of Qatar continues to expand. This was clearly evident in the campus� second graduation ceremony held on June 19. One hundred and thirty-six graduates received diplomas from 12 programs in the fields of health sciences, engineering technology, information technology and business studies.

The Middle East campus� first graduating class consisted of 71 students from programs in business and information technology.

�I am very proud that our department � and our province � is associated with this project,� said Minister Burke, who attended this year�s graduation. �What our colleagues from College of the North Atlantic have accomplished here thus far is very impressive, to say the least. This campus will have a significant and lasting impact not only on the people of Qatar, but also the experience we have gained and the opportunities afforded us through this undertaking will mean long-term benefits for the college in Newfoundland and Labrador as well.�

College president Bruce Hollett says expansion at the Qatar campus has proceeded ahead of schedule. �We have had nearly a 100 per cent increase in the number of graduates and an even greater increase in the number of programs currently being offered at CNA-Qatar,� said Mr. Hollett. �Our expansion will continue for this September with two more new health sciences programs, namely dental assistant and pharmacy technician.�

College of the North Atlantic (CNA) entered into a partnership with the oil rich State of Qatar in 2001 to develop for that country a comprehensive college of technology. The Qatar college � CNA�s only international campus � celebrated its first graduation last June when it was still operating from temporary facilities. This past December saw the official opening of the new, permanent facility � a 22 building world-class institution.

College of the North Atlantic is entering the 5th year of its 10 year contract with the State of Qatar. The original agreement was worth an estimated $500 million US, however a host of new initiatives undertaken by the college for the state, and a rate of expansion greater than originally anticipated will see that figure increase.

Media contact:
Nora Daly, Department of Education, (709) 729-1906
Stephen Lee, College of the North Atlantic, (709) 227-6283

2006 06 20                                  10:50 a.m.