Qatar Foundation partner university helps shape future cultural workforce in Qatar 

 
Doha, Qatar, 17 July 2019:  UCL Qatar has announced that its MA in Museums and Gallery Practice has become one of the first two programmes internationally to receive the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) accreditation, as the institute expands into the heritage sector. 

The master’s degree, one of the two unique programmes offered at UCL Qatar, was recognised for its ability to prepare students as they embark in their professional practices with solid foundations in the cultural heritage field. The designation acknowledges that the programme prepares students to meet the demands of the museums and gallery profession internationally.

Dr. Alexandra Bounia, Senior Lecturer and Programme Coordinator highlighted that: “The MA in Museum and Gallery Practice has been carefully designed to enable students to address the emerging needs of the cultural heritage sector in different parts of the world. UCL Qatar graduates have proven themselves to be catalysts in developing the heritage management profession in the country, already making an impact across some of the country’s most iconic cultural institutions.” 

Conducted by independent assessors, the accreditation is particularly significant for what made UCL Qatar’s programme stand out. UCL Qatar was particularly commended for the university’s practice of highlighting differing viewpoints and ways of looking at objects, services and problems, as well as the use of local examples of research, objects and service providers that were placed within an international context.  

Sam Evans, Director of UCL Qatar said: “I have always been proud of our students and what they have accomplished within the framework of their programmes. The international accreditation helps make our graduates highly competitive internationally and comes as a result of the tremendous work our staff and faculty have done for the development of the programme to the benefit of the cultural heritage sector in Qatar. It is truly an honour.”  

UCL, in partnership with Qatar Foundation, created UCL Qatar as a leading center of excellence for the study of cultural heritage. The MA in Museum and Gallery Practice prepares graduates with the breadth of experience and attributes required for a skilled professional in the cultural world.  

In 2014, UCL Qatar’s MA in Library and Information Studies programme was the first of its kind in the region to be formally accredited by CILIP.