STEM, TVET education in focus at UDST international symposium

A two-day International symposium that kicked off at University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) on Wednesday, highlighted the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) education to meet the need for a skilled and capable workforce for the country.Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ‘International Symposium on Education and Skills for a Future-Ready Workforce: STEM and TVET for a Sustainable and Resilient Society’, HE Dr Ibrahim al-Naemi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) said STEM education has to be a very important part of the syllabus."We want to integrate STEM education in all aspects of the curriculum. STEM and TVET are integral parts of the Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024-2030. It is estimated that there would be large demand for employment in the STEM and TVET fields by 2030 as technical capabilities are essential to meet the needs of the society,” said Dr al-Naimi.The opening ceremony was also attended by Dr Salem al-Naemi, president of UDST; Salah Khaled, director of the Unesco Doha Office for Gulf States and Yemen; Max Tunon, head of the International Labour Organisation Office in Doha; and Sheikha Najwa bint Abdul Rahman al-Thani, assistant undersecretary for Qatar’s Migrant Labour Affairs as well as a number of high-level delegates.Welcoming the gathering, UDST president, Dr al-Naemi, said: "There is a high number of job opportunities available in the STEM fields locally and globally, yet a remarkable shortage of graduates and professionals with the necessary qualifications and developed skills to take on these roles. It is our responsibility now, as educational institutions, to close the gap between future industry needs and educational output.”"The Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024-2030 has set ambitious targets for the country, requiring 46% of the workforce to be in skilled roles, and 18% of students to graduate in STEM fields by 2030. These are significant goals, and it is more important than ever that we continue working with MoEHE to bolster access to STEM education at UDST, and amplify our TVET.”This seminar is being held in response to the decisions made by the Committee of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Gulf Co-operation Council countries to establish a forum for studying specialised fields that are required by the current and future job market.The conference brings together regional educational institutions, industry stakeholders and policymakers to initiate dialogue on the role of STEM and TVET education in creating an industry-ready workforce. The event also provides a platform to develop a GCC-wide approach to education and workforce mobility in the region.The symposium hosted keynote talks on aligning education with industry needs, focusing on technology and workforce-readiness in closing the global skills gap, and an energised panel discussion on industry-academia partnerships. The day ended with specialised breakout sessions on academic programmes for a green economy, and digital literacy.The second day will feature engaging presentations on governance frameworks and novel approaches to TVET teaching, as well as breakout forums centred on AI in Education and Skills Initiatives. The event will be concluded with policy recommendations on academic initiatives and related education policies, and a framework linking government, academia and industry towards developing a sustainable and resilient current and future ready workforce through the "Doha Declaration on Education for Future Jobs: A roadmap for a sustainable and resilient society”.