STUDENT ENGAGEMENT POLICY
1.0 Definitions
1.1 The following words and expressions have the meaning hereby assigned to them:
1.1.1 Academic Members: Faculty Members and Instructional Members.
1.1.2 Club: A University sanctioned Student group who unite to promote or celebrate a common interest.
1.1.3 Co-Curricular: Activities, Programs and learning experiences that compliment what Students are learning in the classroom. Co-curricular activities are typically, but not always, defined by their separation from academic Courses as well as the promotion of personal and/or professional growth and development.
1.1.4 Course: A set of Learning Sessions in a particular subject, with a defined scope and duration, and specific learning outcomes.
1.1.5 Credit: A unit of measurement assigned to a Course based on the total amount of learning time that counts toward a Program or credential completion, at a particular level of the Qatar National Qualification Framework.
1.1.6 Curricular: Courses of study offered by the University.
1.1.7 Events: University sanctioned extracurricular pursuits that are either solely for or prioritize Students and are intended to enrich the Student experience.
1.1.8 Faculty: Person(s) employed by or working at the University to deliver and/or develop its academic Programs.
1.1.9 Faculty Members: Members of the teaching and/or research staff, whether on part- or full-time, holding the following ranks: Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer/Senior Technical Instructor, or Lecturer/Technical Instructor.
1.1.10 Instructional Members: Members of the teaching staff, whether on part- or full-time, holding the following titles: Assistant Lecturer/or Workshop/Lab/Clinical Instructor, Assistant Technical Instructor, or Teaching Assistant.
1.1.11 Programming: University offerings primarily responding to identified Student needs and interests.
1.1.12 Staff: Person(s) employed by or working at the University as Academic Members or providing administrative support.
1.1.13 Student: A person who is presently enrolled at the University in a Credit Course or who is designated by the University as a Student.
1.1.14 Student Council: An elected body representing the University’s Students.
1.1.15 Student Employment Program: A Co-curricular employment experience for Students.
1.1.16 Student Engagement: The active participation of Students in planned Curricular and Co-curricular activities that are intentional and supportive, resulting in an improved learning experience for Students.
1.1.17 Student Governance: An elected body representing the University’s Students.
1.1.18 Student Research: Research that is conducted by Students or involving Students as subjects.
1.1.19 Student Surveys: a method of obtaining the opinion and views of Students regarding Student Affairs activities and services.
1.1.20 Student Volunteerism: a voluntary act where an individual or group freely provide time and labor for community service.
1.1.21 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No.13 of 2022.
1.1.22 Varsity Sport Teams: Activities and services focused on designated Student athletes identified to represent the University in selected intercollegiate sport and other sanctioned competitions.
1.2 Where the context requires, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa.
1.3 Where a word or phrase is given a particular meaning, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or phrase have corresponding meanings.
2.0 Policy Purpose
2.1 This policy outlines the principles and standards in which the University provides engagement opportunities for students, enabling participation in Curricular and Cocurricular activities. In addition, the policy highlights the importance the University places on Student input and participation and the various mechanisms through which Student involvement is encouraged throughout the Student lifecycle. The policy establishes the rights of Students to events and programming, clubs, sport, wellness, employment, Student Volunteerism, and Student Governance.
3.0 Policy Scope
3.1 This policy applies to:
3.1.1 Students; and
3.1.2 The Student Affairs Division; and
3.1.3 Colleges/Foundation Program Unit; and
3.1.4 Staff; and
3.1.5 Administrative departments.
4.0 Policy Statement
4.1 The University actively seeks to promote a richer Student experience by supporting an array of Student activities that provide Students with opportunities for learning as well as personal enrichment.
4.2 The University seeks to support Student activities through patronage, allowing the use of University facilities and services, subsidization, and possible funding through an approved budget.
4.3 The University seeks Student input as part of the process of developing new Programming, assessment of existing Programming, as well as committees impacting governance, Curriculum, and facilities.
4.4 The University seeks to promote Student leadership, provide Student representation, and recognize the need for a Student voice through the Student Council.
4.5 A richer Student experience is supported through, but is not limited to, the following activities:
4.5.1 Clubs;
4.5.2 Events;
4.5.3 Programming;
4.5.4 Student Council;
4.5.5 Student Employment Program;
4.5.6 Sport and Wellness: Programs and service offerings targeting the health and well-being of University Students;
4.5.7 Student Governance: An elected body representing the University’s Students;
4.5.8 Student Research: Research that is conducted by Students or involving Students as subjects;
4.5.9 Student Surveys: A method of obtaining the opinion and views of Students regarding Student Affairs activities and services;
4.5.10 Student Volunteerism: A voluntary act where an individual or group freely provide time and labor for community service.
4.5.11 Varsity Sport Teams: Represent the highest level of Student Engagement in Sport at the University.
4.6 The establishment and maintenance of the aforementioned will be facilitated by the Student Affairs Division, as per the applicable procedures.
5.0 Procedures
5.1 The Vice-President, Student Affairs will ensure that procedures are developed for the implementation of this policy.
6.0 Related Documents
6.1 PL-ST-01: Student Conduct Policy
6.2 PL-ST-13: International Student Policy
6.3 PL-ST-15: Student Employment Program Policy
6.4 PR-ST-12-02: Student Council Procedure