Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar teaches new students the value of community service

Press release

Published August 24th, 2011 - 06:37 GMT

CMUQ students handing the bags to the workers

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar welcomed its new class - the class of 2015 - on August22^nd, in a four-day orientation program designed to familiarize the students with the university’s campus, students and atmosphere.

In addition to learning about Carnegie Mellon Qatar, the new students were also introduced to the importance of community service during a session hosted by the Student Affairs department. Following the session, students packed 'care bags' filled with food, blankets and other necessities and delivered them to workers on its campus. The students were also encouraged to mingle with the workers, initiate friendships and get to know more about the workers’ lives.

"At Carnegie Mellon, our hearts are in the work, and our work includes community service. Planning such a simple event is an integral part of orientation as we emphasize to the freshmen the importance of giving back to our communities in a meaningful and active way. Community service is not limited to donations, but it also includes actively interacting with the community around us,” said Sara Abbas, a rising Business Administration senior and one of the orientation planners.

The upcoming freshmen appreciated the activity and understood the importance of community service – especially at Carnegie Mellon. “Community service gives us the unique opportunity to give back to the society by utilizing and distributing the skills and values we gain from education as well as personal experiences. It is more effective than monetary help and gives us the benefit of building relationships by working together. I am glad that CMUQ offers many opportunities for its students to help the community,” said Sana Fathima, an incoming Business Administration freshman.

Community service continues to be one of the most important concepts taught at Carnegie Mellon Qatar. Students make sure to include volunteer activities in every orientation program, and are involved in many community service activities and trips throughout the academic year.

Background Information

Carnegie Mellon University Qatar

For more than a century, Carnegie Mellon University has challenged the curious and passionate to imagine and deliver work that matters. A private, top-ranked and global university, Carnegie Mellon sets its own course with programs that inspire creativity and collaboration.

In 2004, Carnegie Mellon and Qatar Foundation began a partnership to deliver select programs that will contribute to the long-term development of Qatar. Today, Carnegie Mellon Qatar offers undergraduate programs in biological sciences, business administration, computational biology, computer science, and information systems. Nearly 400 students from 38 countries call Carnegie Mellon Qatar home.