Georgetown University takes driver safety seriously

Press release

Published July 15th, 2013 - 05:25 GMT

Christopher Wilson, the Director of Risk at Georgetown in Qatar

Driving just got safer for the faculty and staff at Education City’s Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) with the planned launch of Safe Driving, a program designed to teach already licensed drivers practical skills for roadway safety.

Qatar’s fast paced growth and integration in the global marketplace has seen an influx of people from all over the world. The international population has meant that a wonderful mix of foods, customs, and languages can be found all over Doha. But it also means another thing: a not so wonderful mix of driving cultures, which often presents a driving hazard to expats not familiar with the best strategies to stay safe on the roads.

Director of Facilities Management at GU-Q and program organizer, Clare Wait, pointed to the need for car safety training, saying “The exposure to vehicle accidents has been identified as one of the highest risks for our GU-Q community. This is why we decided to offer information, awareness materials, and practical instruction on defensive driving techniques for the newest faculty who will be joining us this August, then expanded this program to include all staff and faculty, as well as spouses.”

The training will be provided by Tracks Apart Ltd, a UK based driving safety solutions and specialized training company, and will include a structured training package that teaches theoretical knowledge and practical skills to operate and work safely. The course syllabus will include vehicle systems orientation, safe driving rules, emergency procedures, and defensive driving techniques. The classroom teaching will be paired with vehicular hands on training on public roads.

“Ultimately, we want to achieve a zero accident goal for our community,” said Christopher Wilson, the Director of Risk at Georgetown in Qatar. “By providing formal training to incoming faculty and staff, we stand a greater chance of ensuring everyone has the tools they need to make the transition to Doha’s unique driving culture, a safe one.”

Background Information

Georgetown University in Qatar

Established in 1789 in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions. Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), founded in 2005 in partnership with Qatar Foundation, seeks to build upon the world-class reputation of the university through education, research, and service. Inspired by the university’s mission of promoting intellectual, ethical, and spiritual understanding, GU-Q aims to advance knowledge and provide students and the community with a holistic educational experience that produces global citizens committed to the service of humankind.

Located in Doha’s Education City, GU-Q offers the same internationally recognized Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree as Georgetown’s Capitol Campus in Washington, DC. This unique, interdisciplinary program prepares students to tackle the most important and pressing global issues by helping them develop critical thinking, analytic, and communication skills within an international context. GU-Q alumni work in leading local and international organizations across industries ranging from finance to energy, education, and media. The Qatar campus also serves as a residency and delivery location for the Executive Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management along with the Executive Master’s in Leadership.