Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) was the first university to be established in Education City in 1998.

VCUQatar offers all students in the Middle East, Africa and Asia the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design or Painting and Printmaking or a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Design Studies.

The degree programs foster creativity and a passion for art and design by encouraging the application of creative ideas while respecting the regional heritage. The learning environment at the university encourages one-to-one feedback from faculty members and allows for a combination of studio research and hands-on design projects.

Graduates have helped build up the creative industries in Qatar and contribute to Qatar's growing reputation in the realm of knowledge, culture, arts and heritage.  VCUQatar hosts and organizes the biennial Tasmeem Doha international design conference (www.tasmeemdoha.com) , the biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Islamic Art Symposium (www.islamicartdoha.org), monthly exhibitions and gallery openings, as well as an annual fashion show, community classes and open lectures for the general public.  These activities contribute significantly to Qatar's cultural calendar.

Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, Virginia, and its School of the Arts is one of largest and most highly ranked design schools in the United States. For more information on the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, please visit www.qatar.vcu.edu