Research in undergraduate education at Qatar University: EE department experience

Abstract

This paper presents the research efforts taking place at Qatar University, the only national university in Qatar. Being a teaching institute, conducting research faces many challenges. The paper focuses on the experience of the electrical engineering department in incorporating research through the senior design project course. The work of the students was on a research project sponsored by the local communication provider. Many ABET learning outcomes are shown to be fulfilled through this activity, which shows that incorporating research in the undergraduate curriculum is becoming essential. Several factors contributed to the success of the activity, and are described in the paper. The paper concludes by anticipating the future of research in Qatar at large, and by recommending some specific points for similar activities to attain similar if not better success.