​The Community College of Qatar (CCQ) has announced, during an online press conference held today, the expansion of Logistics and Supply Chain Management program by offering students holding CCQ’s Associate of Applied Science Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in the discipline through an additional 2 years of study, with classes beginning in the fall of the coming academic year 2020 – 2021.

The Bachelor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management program is expected to help supply the labor market with a plethora of national cadres that are extensively trained for management positions in transportation, warehousing, distribution, inventory control, purchasing, and international logistics. Previously, the program was only available as a 2-year Associate degree and to date has attracted many members of various public and private institutions.

Commenting on these developments, Dr. Khalid Al Abdulqader, Vice President, Community College of Qatar said: “The decision to expand the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program was made after a comprehensive study of Qatar’s labor market and most sought-after skills, as well as the country’s strategic needs and objectives. The economy is becoming increasingly more competitive with each passing day and companies are demanding ever-increasing standards of specialized knowledge and expertise. With this in mind, CCQ is committed to providing its students with everything required to empower them and thrive in this competitive environment.”

Dr. Al Abdulqader stressed the importance of offering Logistics and Supply Chain Management program in providing a more qualified workforce, who have significant experience in logistics and supply management, and who are able to absorb steady developments in this field, thus effectively contributing  to achieving the goals of food security, which is a strategic priority for the State of Qatar that requires the expansion of warehouses and other storage facilities.

CCQ’s decision to expand the program comes in line with Qatar’s national strategy to become a regional logistics hub. Driven by preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has invested heavily in infrastructure projects, creating an increasing need for specialized national competencies in logistics management. Over the past years, the country has seen significant development in this regard with the opening of investment-friendly free zones, such as Ras Boufantas and Umm AlHoul, Hamad Port, the largest port in the Middle East, and the Doha Metro railway network, marking major milestones for Qatar. Furthermore, the bustling Hamad International Airport, home to the world-class airline Qatar Airways, underscores the country’s unrivalled position as a global aviation hub reinforcing the need for qualified cadres, who can manage these mega projects.

CCQ aims to support the country’s economic and human capital development by equipping graduates with the knowledge and tools necessary to operate and expand Qatar’s ever-growing logistics and supply chain infrastructure and effectively manage its transport and storage services.  The program will also enable the country and its institutions to provide products and services of the highest caliber.

The Logistics and Supply Chain Management program is based on international best-practices in the field. It was reviewed by a team of international academic experts, who provided positive reviews about the program that will be taught in Arabic. As part of the program, students will also have to complete 180 hours of practical training courses at elite organizations in Qatar, putting what they learn in the classroom at CCQ into practice. There are a limited number of Arab and non-Arab universities, whose educational programs include logistics, making CCQ’s offering an attractive one.

Across its campuses, CCQ provides a unique and flexible 2+2 learning model enabling students to graduate with an Associate degree in two years, after which they can choose to enter the labor market, or continue studying for two more years towards earning their bachelor degree.