Reaching out to the wider student community in Doha will be the focus of all major events organized by the Medical Student Executive Council in Qatar (MSEC-Q) this year, said incoming president Adam Khader in November.

Adam, a medical student in the Class of 2010, was elected to lead the 17-member 2006-07 council on October 30, along with fellow executive members, vice president Mohamed El Shazly, secretary Tasnim Khalife, also in the Class of 2010, and treasurer Nadia Merchant, a pre-medical student in the Class of 2011.

At their first meeting in November, the group identified their goals for the year ahead.

“This year MSEC-Q is going through a transition,” Adam said. “We’re thinking long-term and we want to be very community oriented. We also want to focus on academic activities like the Big Sib program this year.

“We have different strategies for holding events and we’ve been working closely with Dr. Maya Hammoud, Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs.

“Dr. Hammoud is helping us understand how the MSEC at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City conducts business. She is trying to help us get things working in a way that they will continue.”

In 2007 MSEC-Q plans to host three main events: A coffee house, a charity event, and an international evening.

“We hope to make them open to the Education City community and possibly to high school students,” Adam said.

“We’re also planning to continue the work of last year’s MSEC-Q. We want to discuss with management student issues that may arise throughout the year and give the student body a voice.

“There are already students on the Admissions Committee, Basic Science Curriculum Committee, Clinical Science Curriculum Committee and Environmental Health and Safety Committee.”

Asked about their reasons for joining this year’s MSEC-Q, the executive members said they wanted to contribute to the development of the group, gain experience in organizing events and working as a team, and more importantly, have fun.

“I was in MSEC-Q last year and I really enjoyed it. It’s a good way to get things done and to have your voice heard,” Nadia said.

Mohamed El Shazly added: “I was also a member last year and it was fun... I have many ideas in mind for the organization of charity and fundraiser events this year.”

Tasnim said: “In 2005/06, I was heavily involved in organizing a number of community outreach activities outside of MSEC-Q, including the Habitat for Humanity trip to India (See Qatar Chronicle Vol 2 No.3 Spring/Summer 2006, pp 28-30). I’m used to being part of these kinds of things. It helps to know you’ve contributed.”

* The Big Sib program involves medical students mentoring pre-medical students as they adjust to life at the Medical College.

Report by Krista Dobinson, Assistant Editor/Writer