Texas A&M University at Qatar Marks Its Sixth Honor Society

Texas AM University at Qatar

Texas A&M University at Qatar recently hosted its inaugural initiation of the engineering university’s sixth honor society, Phi Kappa Phi. The oldest and largest of all academic honor societies in the US, Phi Kappa Phi recognizes deserving faculty, staff and student members from all disciplines across the college campus.

Reinforcing its mission of supporting academic excellence, Texas A&M University at Qatar is home to six student chapters of some of the world’s most prestigious honor societies including one chapter that marks a first international chapter. These six societies include Phi Kappa Phi; Tau Beta Pi, engineering; Omega Chi Epsilon, chemical engineering; Eta Kappa Nu, electrical engineering; Pi Tau Sigma, mechanical engineering; and Pi Epsilon Tau, petroleum engineering.

At Texas A&M at Qatar, more than 95 junior and senior students have been inducted as members of these honor societies since 2011.

” Because of Texas A&M University at Qatar, these honor societies are the first of their kind in the Middle East. I am honored to be selected by this international fraternity for my academic achievement, and I am proud to represent Aggie engineers in this part of the world.” Mohammed Al- Kharusi, petroleum engineering graduate, class 2013.
“The six international honor societies at Texas A&M at Qatar reflect the outstanding quality of our engineering programs,” said Dr. Hamid Parsaei, associate dean for academic affairs. “We are proud to recognize the achievements of our top students through their membership in these elite organizations.”

Tau Beta Pi is the only engineering honor society representing the entire engineering profession. It is the nation’s second-oldest honor society, founded at Lehigh University in 1885 to mark those who have conferred honor upon their Alma Mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as students in engineering, or by their attainments as alumni in the field of engineering, and to foster a spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges. There are now collegiate chapters at 241 US colleges and universities, 28 active alumnus chapters in 16 districts across the country, and a total initiated membership of approximately 540,000.

Omega Chi Epsilon is the National Honor Society for Chemical Engineering. The society promotes high scholarship, encourages original investigation in chemical engineering and recognizes the valuable traits of character, integrity and leadership. It serves both undergraduate and graduate students and fosters meaningful student-faculty dialogue. A club of Omega Chi Epsilon was established at Texas A&M University at Qatar in 2012, and the first initiation ceremony included 25 students, all of whom were undergraduate students. In 2013, sixteen additional students, both undergraduate as well as graduate students were initiated.

Eta Kappa Nu (Lambda Mu chapter), the Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society, at Texas A&M University at Qatar. Eta Kappa Nu is dedicated to promoting and recognizing excellence in several fields related to electrical and computer engineering through the demonstration of three central qualities, scholarship, character and attitude. The Lambda Mu chapter was installed on 2 May 2012, and the first group of 19 students was inducted into membership on the same day. This group included 18 undergraduate and one graduate student. The second group of five students was inducted in January 2013.

Pi Tau Sigma, Mechanical Engineering Honor Society, members are chosen on a basis of sound engineering ability, scholarship (upper 35 percent), personality and probable future success in their chosen field of mechanical engineering. There are three grades of membership: Honorary, Graduate and Active. Honorary members are technical graduates actively engaged in engineering work or members of mechanical engineering faculties.

 Graduate membership is conferred upon persons who would have been eligible had Pi Tau Sigma been established earlier in schools not having chapters, or upon those continuing graduate study. Active members are selected from the junior and senior mechanical engineering classes at their respective schools whose mechanical engineering curriculum must be accredited by ABET. At the present, the number of chartered chapters stands at one hundred seventy-four. The Texas A&M University at Qatar chapter is the first international chapter and was established by Pi Tau Sigma in 2012.

Epsilon Pi Tau, as the premier academic and professional honors group for technology programs in higher education, workforce development programs and professionals in practice, Epsilon Pi Tau has provided honor and distinction to members, institutions, programs and individuals throughout the world for more than 80 years. Members have resided in every state in the US and in 49 other nations. Epsilon Pi Tau has inducted 90,000 plus members since its inception.

Phi Kappa Phi Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Its chapters are on more than 300 campuses in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Each year, approximately 30,000 members are initiated. Since it’s foundation, Phi Kappa Phi has initiated more than 1 million members into its ranks. Phi Kappa Phi is a global network comprised of the best and brightest from all academic disciplines and considered a community of scholars and professionals building an enduring legacy for future generations.