Doha – August 12, 2026: High school students from Qatar and abroad aspiring to pursue careers in medicine were given a glimpse of the profession and campus life through the Medical Minds Online Program (MMOP), a summer initiative organized by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q).
In its second edition, the week-long virtual event brought together 84 students from 50 local, regional, and international high schools. The event is one of WCM-Q’s Summer Enrichment Programs, tailored to familiarize pre-college students with the field of medicine and science through interactive sessions conducted by WCM-Q faculty and staff.
Offered by WCM-Q’s Office of Student Outreach and Educational Development, the program provides a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges in the medical field. It targets students who have shown academic excellence in the sciences and mathematics, possess a good foundation in biological sciences and the English language, and have an interest in pursuing a career in medicine.
The participants were students entering grades 10, 11, and 12 in the 2026-2027 academic year, and came from various schools across Qatar, while international students joined the sessions from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Morocco, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, South Korea, the U.K., Canada, and the U.S.
Simulating the WCM-Q student learning experience, participants took part in a variety of live online sessions and self-paced modules covering medical humanities, surgery, anatomy, biology, physics, and careers in medicine. The students received guidance on research skills essential for academic success, building a professional identity in medicine, and the WCM-Q application and admissions process. They were also introduced to Canvas, a learning management system used in educational institutions.
The closing ceremony was held both virtually and in person, providing students in Qatar with the opportunity to visit WCM-Q. All the students were awarded a certificate of completion.
Student participant Hans Park of Daegu International School in South Korea, who is heading to grade 11, said: “The MMOP was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to connect with other students who share my vision of making the world a better place. It was single-handedly the most enjoyable part of my summer break, pushing me academically while providing an incredibly motivating environment where we all challenged ourselves together.”
Participant Ali Al Lawati, a grade 12 student at Azzan Bin Qais International School, Oman, said: “This program was one of the experiences that truly opened my mind. Beyond learning valuable medical skills, I had the privilege of interacting with renowned doctors from around the world and hearing stories that positively shaped my perspective on medicine at a top institute. As the saying goes, ‘the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,’ and I am confident to say that this program was my tremendous first step.”
Noha Saleh, director of premedical administration, student outreach, and educational development, said: “The MMOP demonstrates our commitment to inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. By providing the students with an authentic introduction to medical education at WCM-Q, we help them better understand the academic journey, the skills required, and the opportunities available in the medical field.”
Dr. Rachid Bendriss, assistant professor of education in medicine, associate dean for foundation, student outreach, and educational development programs, and professor of English as a second language, said: “Our goal was to give the students a practical preview of what it means to study medicine. We hope this experience empowers them to make informed decisions not only as they pursue their academic and career aspirations but also in their daily lives.”
Participating schools from Qatar included Doha College, Newton International Academy-Barwa City, Education City High School, Al Manar International School, The International School of Choueifat-Doha, Qatar International School, American School of Doha, Hamilton International School, Oryx International School, Doha British School – Ain Khaled, The Next Generation School, Compass International School Doha, English Modern School Doha, Park House English School, Mesaieed International School, Philippine School Doha, Swiss International School in Qatar, Sherborne Qatar, Gems Wellington School, International School for Medical Science and Engineering, Hayat Universal Bilingual School, Lycée Bonaparte, Qatar Academy Al Wakra, Doha Modern Indian School, King’s College Doha Mesaimeer Campus, ACS International School Doha, Pakistan International School Qatar, Pearling Season International School, Newton British Academy, The Lebanese School of Qatar, Edison International Academy, The Cambridge School, and Ramla Bint Abi Sufyan Secondary School for Girls
Schools from outside Qatar included Bayan Gardens School (Saudi Arabia), Al Bayan Bilingual School (Kuwait), Jumeirah English Speaking School, American Community School of Abu Dhabi and Summit International School from the UAE, Azzan Bin Qais International School (Oman), L’Excellence and American School of Marrakech from Morocco, Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (Kazakhstan), RVSM Higher Secondary School (India), International School Lahore and Headstart School from Pakistan, Daegu International School (South Korea), King’s InterHigh (U.K.), St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School (Canada), and MDQ Academy and Hunter College High School from the U.S.