The State of Qatar has put human development at the centre of its national development agenda, with focus of education, health and scientific research as part its endeavours to build a knowledge economy and further elevate the living standards for all of Qatar’s citizens and residents. The country’s wise leadership has particularly patronised education and research and promoted academic excellence. This is evident from Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s gracing of the Qatar University convocation every year and honouring the top students and researchers through initiatives such as Education Excellence Award.
H H the Amir attended graduation event for the 47th batch of Qatar University yesterday. During the ceremony, the Amir honoured 133 outstanding graduates in all disciplines. The Amir wished the graduates further success and achievement in their professional and academic careers that contribute to Qatar’s development and excellence.
The ceremony featured a film about the students’ university experience in various disciplines, and the achievements of Qatar University and its support to students in their academic choices and equipping them with the necessary skills to launch their professional careers and serve the community and the country.
The annual Education Excellence Award promotes academic excellence by recognising distinguished master’s and PhD degree holders, university and secondary school graduates, outstanding primary and preparatory school students, the outstanding teacher, the distinguished school, and the distinguished scientific research. The state spends around 20 percent of its total annual budget on health and education. Around 550 government and private schools and 34 higher education institutes are operating in Qatar, with a student body of around 0.4 million. The country’s education system is equipping students with skills required to succeed in today’s world and is producing tomorrow’s leaders in innovation, business and industries.
Every year, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education also awards hundreds of scholarships to Qatari students to pursue studies at universities in Qatar and abroad. The scholarship programme has been expanded this year to 1,500 scholarship. As many as 1,000 high school graduates will be awarded scholarships to study for a degree in Qatar, while another 500 scholarships will be provided for study at foreign universities. The Ministry of Education has also worked to attract more qualified people to the teaching profession and has partnered with Qatar University for a teachers’ training programme ‘Tomouh’, in a bid to attract competent Qatari teachers to fill positions in government schools.
The programme is part of the state’s efforts to invest in human resources and build national capabilities, which contributes to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030.
