Richmond:Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a partner university of Qatar Foundation, is set to launch a new Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) programme. The announcement was made during an event at Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus in Richmond, Virginia.
According to Marhaba, the event was attended by notable figures including HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation; Dr Michael Rao, President of Virginia Commonwealth University; Francisco Marmolejo, President of Higher Education at Qatar Foundation; and Dr Hend Zainal, Executive Director of Strategy, Management and Partnerships within Qatar Foundation’s Higher Education division.
The programme is scheduled to welcome its first cohort in Autumn 2027 at the VCUarts Qatar campus in Education City, Qatar. It will emphasize design as a central element of interdisciplinary education, allowing students to merge creative practice with knowledge from various fields. The curriculum will leverage the academic strengths of Qatar Foundation’s partner universities, offering students the flexibility to explore diverse disciplines while building a strong design foundation.
Key focus areas of the programme include integrating design with business and entrepreneurship, communications and media, ecology and sustainable environments, data science and digital literacies, humanities and cultural heritage preservation, and health and well-being. Dean Amir Berbić highlighted the innovative nature of the programme, which seeks to equip students with the skills to collaborate across disciplines and tackle complex problems using design thinking.
The launch underscores the partnership between Virginia Commonwealth University and Qatar Foundation, reflecting their commitment to creating new educational opportunities that leverage the strengths of Education City’s universities. Dr Zainal noted that the programme exemplifies the role of Education City as a hub for innovative educational ideas, aiming to nurture a versatile, skilled workforce for the future.
Students enrolled in the new programme will engage in interdisciplinary coursework, research, internships, and a capstone project, focusing on developing design methods and creative practices to address complex questions and connect different perspectives.