Qatar, represented by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lebanese Ministry of Education to provide scholarships for 400 male and female students to complete their education at the American University of Beirut, in co-operation with the Education Above All Foundation, which will manage the project through Qatar scholarships programme.
The five-year MoU will target Lebanese and Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. HE Director of QFFD Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari said: "Through this agreement, we reaffirm the State of Qatar's concern to support education, securing a decent life, which supports the process of sustainable human development through which the desired development goals of the United Nations are achieved, specifically the fourth goal of sustainable development, namely: ensuring fair and inclusive education and promoting lifelong learning for all."
"We believe that supporting education is one of the basic pillars of human development and the key to success, and today's agreement comes as a continuation of Qatar's role in supporting the fourth goal of the sustainable development goals," al-Kuwari added.
For his part, Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Tariq al-Majzoub, said: "In the sea of crises and strong waves, friends appear as a flare spreading hope for salvation. We are pleased to celebrate today the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Lebanon and the Qatar Fund for Development. This memorandum aims to contribute to the strengthening of the university education sector in Lebanon, by providing university scholarships for undergraduate and diploma students, covering 400 male and female students."
"We look forward to the continued support of the State of Qatar and its institutions for education in Lebanon, because education is the essence of the development of nations, and the only way to achieve sustainable development at all levels. We pledge, as an official figure, to sponsor the implementation of this program, based on the desire of the State of Qatar and its institutions to facilitate the procedures that ensure the implementation of the content of this memorandum in all transparency," the minister added.
Fahad al-Sulaiti, CEO of Education Above All Foundation, said: "As part of the educational rehabilitation in Lebanon, we are proud to enter into this important partnership agreement with the American University of Beirut. The partnership has a unique target breakdown, 70% of the beneficiaries will be Lebanese youth, while 30% will be refugees from Palestine and Syria."
Qatar, through QFFD along with its strategic partner Education Above All, continue the mission of providing education to developing countries and helping students to complete their education journey, in line with Qatar's direction in supporting education promoting peace and justice through sustainable and inclusive development.
On the sidelines of his visit to Beirut, al-Kuwari met with Director of the Unesco Regional Office in Beirut Costanza Farina, in the presence of Qatar's ambassador to Lebanon Mohamed Hassan Jaber al-Jaber. The meeting reviewed the latest developments of the projects funded by QFFD and what has been achieved, especially the restoration of educational buildings damaged by the port explosion, in the context of completing the pledges of the State of Qatar to provide aid to Lebanon.
 
 
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