Qatar University is a public university in Qatar, located on the northern outskirts of the capital Doha. As of 2014, there are over 16,000 students. Courses are taught in Arabic or English . The university is the only government university in the country. The university hosts nine colleges – Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Law, Sharia and Islamic Studies, Pharmacy, college of health Science, and a College of Medicine – with a total of almost 8000 students at a 13:1 student-teacher ratio.Students entering the university are placed in a “Foundation Program”, which ensures the acquirement of skills such as math, English, and computer technology.Many of its academic departments have received or are currently under evaluation for accreditation from a number of organizations. In addition to undergraduate academics, QU has a research infrastructure including research labs, an ocean vessel, technical equipment and a library housing thousands of books, including a collection of rare manuscripts.The university serves on behalf of the government and private industry to conduct regional research, particularly in areas of the environment and energy technologies. Qatar University has a student body of fifty-two nationalities, 65% of which are Qatari nationals. About 35% are children of expats. Women make up approximately 70% of the student population, and are provided their own set of facilities and classrooms. QU has an alumni body of over 30,000 graduates.