QAS Welcomes Students In A New Building

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Academy Sidra (QAS), part of Qatar Foundation's Pre-University Education

(PUE), has moved into a new building, welcoming more than 1,100 students this academic year.

“The move to our new building marks an important milestone in the QAS's journey,” QAS director Mirna Raslan told Gulf Times.“It is not simply a move to a larger and more modern facility, but the beginning of a new phase of growth and ambition.”

She said the new building is designed to support the academy's growth and provide an integrated learning environment for students from age three through to secondary school.

“After years of progress and achievement, we now have an environment specifically designed to support our vision for the future and provide an integrated learning experience for our students,” Raslan noted.

The new building has a capacity of around 1,800 students and is welcoming approximately 1,100 students this academic year.

“We wanted the building to support the academy's long-term growth without compromising the quality of education or the individual attention we give to every student,” Raslan said.“We wanted a space that can grow with us and give us the flexibility to develop our programmes and respond to our students' evolving needs.”

She mentioned that the building features modern, flexible learning spaces, sports facilities, and areas dedicated to collaborative and creative learning, as well as environments that support the active, inquiry-based learning at the heart of International Baccalaureate programmes.

“The building itself has become part of the learning experience,” Raslan underlined.“The spaces give teachers greater flexibility to design interactive learning experiences and provide students with more opportunities for hands-on learning, collaboration, and interdisciplinary projects, making learning more connected to the real world.”

She stated that the building has also been designed to maximise natural light throughout its facilities, while incorporating solutions that enhance energy efficiency, reduce water consumption, and make use of environmentally friendly materials.

“We wanted to create an environment where students feel comfortable and have a strong sense of belonging, because we believe the learning environment has a direct impact on a student's experience, well-being, and confidence,” Raslan explained.“When students feel that a space has been designed with them in mind, they are more likely to engage, explore, and create.”

“When I saw the students enter the building for the first time, I thought about the opportunities ahead of them, the dreams that will begin here, and the memories and achievements they will create in the years to come,” she continued.

“For us, this building is not simply about walls and spaces; it is a place where future success stories will take shape.”

According to Raslan, the significance of the new building extends beyond its facilities, supporting the academy's vision of developing confident and creative students who are capable of making a positive impact.

“Our vision is not only about what students learn in the classroom, but also about who they become,” she said.“We want to provide an environment that encourages inquiry, collaboration, and innovation, while giving every student a genuine sense of belonging and the confidence to succeed.”

Raslan said the academy aims to build a strong sense of community in its new home.

“We hope this first year will lay the foundation for a strong culture in our new home, where every student, staff member, and parent feels that they are part of it,” she said.“We want the building to become a second home for the QAS community – a place that brings together learning, passion, curiosity, and creativity.”

Qatar Academy Sidra Qatar Foundation education new school building in Qatar

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