The Prime Minister and Interior Minister HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, flanked by QU president Professor Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad, Minister of Development Planning and Statistics HE Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit and Minister of Education HE Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi at the inaugural session of the conference yesterday. PICTURE: Thajudheen
The development process of higher education is facing various challenges, the Prime Minister and Interior Minister HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani said yesterday.
“These include addressing the needs of the labour market, developing human capabilities, adopting international accreditation systems, and keeping with our heritage and values,” he explained.
HE the Prime Minister was delivering the opening address at the 5th QS-Maple (Middle East and North Africa Professional Leaders in Education) Conference and Exhibition.
The event has drawn over 300 participants including university leaders, higher education experts, and educators from over 20 countries to advance discussions on the internationalisation of higher education in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Themed “International Innovation and Co-operation in Higher Education”, the event is organised by Qatar University (QU) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
“The development of the education sector is an essential pillar of the country’s ambitions towards a knowledge-based economy, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030,” he pointed out.
“This highlights the importance of university-industry collaborations, as well as the partnerships between academic institutions, and the private and public sectors to establish solid fundamentals for research and to advance the higher education sector.”
The Minister of Education HE Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi observed that international ranking is an efficient element of a university’s development, progress and international reputation.
“It is important to shape a new range of ranking criteria which are proper to the region and to the institution’s mission taking into consideration whether it is a teaching institution, a research institution, or a teaching and research institution. It is also important to combine our efforts to review world ranking criteria and to promote new ranking metrics, which will contribute to sustainable approaches in advancing higher education.”
Minister of Development Planning and Statistics HE Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit delivered plenary addresses on “A report on Higher Education in Qatar”, and “The State of Qatar – Our Journey in Higher Education”.
“Higher education opens-up wonderful opportunities to broaden minds, to appreciate diversity and to develop advanced knowledge and skills,” he said.
With ever increased awareness of its vital importance for social, cultural and economic development there is a growing demand for quality higher education worldwide.”
QU president Professor Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad, QS-Maple International Academic Advisory Committee chair and secretary to council and court, and City University of Hong Kong’s Knowledge, Enterprise and Analysis director Dr Kevin Downing, and QS Asia CEO Mandy Mok.
