HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed AlKhater has affirmed that Qatar attaches great importance to building a flexible and comprehensive educational system in line with its National Vision 2030, noting the qualitative development of the higher education system in the country over the past two decades.
HE AlKhater, who headed Qatar’s delegation to the 19th Conference of the Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Arab World, organised by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (Alecso) in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, highlighted the increasing growth in the number of higher education institutions in Qatar in co-operation with prestigious international higher education institutions, bringing their number to 33 institutions this year, offering 449 academic programmes in various educational tracks.
HE the minister said in her speech on the occasion: “The challenges facing basic education and higher education in our region are enormous, especially in light of the escalation of conflicts and wars in the region, the brutal war that the brotherly Palestinian people are facing, in addition to the successive economic crises.
“All of these require us all to enhance joint action and find quick, effective and low-cost alternatives while maintaining the required level of scientific competencies for millions of students in the Arab world.”
She reviewed what the ministry’s strategy (2024-2030) included under the slogan “Igniting the Flame of Learning” of the results of the post-secondary education stage axis, such as increasing options for vocational and technical education and training, and preparing a workforce ready to face the challenges of the future and developing the system of research, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
She stressed that the country’s Third National Development Strategy seeks to develop the research, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development system, enhance research efforts and finance them by increasing spending on research and development, establishing strategic partnerships between academic and research institutions and the private sector, and attracting talents and competencies. She said that Doha will host the 5th Unesco Conference on Higher Education for Arab States on April 9-10. HE the minister praised the UAE’s hosting of the meeting, which aimed to exchange experiences and best practices in the field of higher education and scientific research, identify challenges and find effective solutions, in addition to setting visions to advance the higher education system in the Arab world to keep pace with global changes.
