Doha – August 22, 2026: Thirty-six students from 21 high schools across Qatar participated in the yearlong Qatar Aspiring Doctors Program (QADP) of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q).
The program, offered by the Office of Student Outreach & Educational Development at WCM-Q, is designed to equip high school students with a strong foundation for pre-medical studies. Participants receive advanced instruction in mathematics, the physical sciences, and biology, while also developing research abilities, college-level writing skills, and academic reading skills.
The program uses a hybrid learning approach, combining monthly in-person classes and practical, hands-on activities with online modules that students complete independently. The QADP is open to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 who are considering a future career in medicine. To join the program, students must demonstrate excellence in the sciences and mathematics and be nominated by their high school counselor, with priority given to national students. All students who took part in the QADP received a certificate, with 12 awarded completion with honors certificates, 18 awarded completion certificates and a further six students receiving participation certificates.
Dr. Rachid Bendriss, professor of English as a second language, assistant professor of education in medicine, and associate dean for foundation, student outreach and educational development programs, said: "The QADP is a rigorous program that enables students who excel in mathematics and the sciences attain the skills, knowledge and self-discipline required to study medicine at WCM-Q and go on to pursue careers in medicine. It is a challenging but extremely rewarding program and I offer my warmest congratulations to all those who took part."
Noha Saleh, director of premedical administration, student outreach and educational development, said: "The students who took part in this edition of the Qatar Aspiring Doctors Program impressed us with their academic ability, their dedication, and their drive to succeed. We hope and believe that many of them will go on to become strong candidates to join the Six-Year Medical Program at WCM-Q and will one day serve their communities as fully qualified doctors."
This year's participating high schools were Al Maha Academy for Girls, American School of Doha, Compass International School Doha, Doha British School - Ain Khaled, Doha College, Durham School for Girls, Edison International Academy, English Modern School Doha, International School for Medical Science and Engineering, International School of Choueifat, International School of London-Qatar, Middle East International School, Pearling Season International School, Al Gharaffa Branch, Qatar Academy Al Wakra, Qatar Academy Doha, Qatar Academy High School, Qatar Academy Sidra, Shantiniketan Indian School, Sherborne Qatar (MOQ campus), Swiss International School in Qatar, Vision International School.