Qatar Foundation’s annual Marhaba event is more than a welcome for new students. It marks the beginning of a journey into an interconnected higher-education community, where students from eight universities, more than 100 countries and a wide range of academic disciplines come together. As the new academic year begins, Dr Abdulnassir Al-Tamimi, Executive Director of Student Services, QF Higher Education, spoke about the significance of Marhaba, student wellbeing, the multiversity model, entrepreneurship, employability and Qatar Foundation’s priorities for preparing students for a rapidly changing future. 1. As Qatar Foundation marks another academic year, what is the significance of the Marhaba event beyond welcoming new students? A. Marhaba is much more than an orientation event. It is the first moment when all our new students begin to understand what makes Education City truly unique and to see themselves not simply as members of one university, but as part of a much larger and interconnected community. Each year, Qatar Foundation brings together students from more than 100 countries, and from diverse cultures and academic disciplines. From day one, Marhaba helps students learn to make that successful transition into university life by introducing them to the academic, personal and social support available throughout Education City. It is also an opportunity to establish from the very beginning that their university experience should be about more than earning a degree; it should be about personal growth, meaningful relationships, discovery, contribution, and realizing their full potential. Each edition of Marhaba is built around a theme that reflects issues we believe are important to the student experience. Last year, we focused on social responsibility and active citizenship, encouraging students to think about how they can serve others through volunteering, advocacy, and meaningful contributions to their communities. This year, our theme is centered on navigating uncertainty and building resilience. We want students to understand that challenges, setbacks, and unexpected changes are part of life, but with the right mindset, skills, and support, they can adapt, grow, and continue moving forward with confidence.Students also hear directly from current students and alumni who share their own journeys, including the challenges they faced, the opportunities they embraced, and the lessons they learned. Ultimately, we want every new student to leave Marhaba with one clear message: you are not simply joining a university; you are becoming part of the Qatar Foundation community. 2. What are the biggest concerns or expectations you hear from first-year students when they join Education City, and how does QF help them adapt?One of the biggest concerns we hear from first-year students is whether they will fit in, make friends, and develop a genuine sense of belonging. The transition to university can be exciting, but it can also be challenging, especially during the first semester when students are adjusting to new academic expectations, meeting people from different backgrounds, and, for some, living away from their families for the first time. Each university provides orientation, academic guidance, and student support for its own community. At the QF Higher Education level, our role is to complement that support by bringing students from across the eight universities together and helping them experience Education City as one connected community. We do this through multiversity programs and activities such as interuniversity sports, cultural and national celebrations, leadership development, volunteering, intercultural activities, wellbeing initiatives, and other opportunities that encourage students to build relationships beyond their own university. One important example is Bedayat, QF Student Life’s first-semester student experience program. It helps new undergraduate and graduate students adjust to university life, develop personal and academic skills, strengthen healthy habits, focus on their wellbeing, and become familiar with the wide range of services, resources, and opportunities available across Education City. Ultimately, our goal is to help students build friendships, find their community, and feel supported as early as possible. When students feel connected, valued, and confident that they have a strong support system around them, they are better positioned to thrive academically, socially, and personally.3. Student wellbeing has become a global priority. What support services does Qatar Foundation provide to ensure students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally? Student wellbeing is one of our highest priorities because students are best positioned to succeed academically when they are also supported emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually. Each university in Education City provides counseling services for its own students, while Qatar Foundation complements these services through additional support across the wider Education City community. Within QF Student Housing, for example, trained staff live on-site and are available 24/7 to provide guidance, support, and timely assistance to students, ensuring continuous care and a safe living environment. QF Higher Education has also established the Office of Wellness and Spiritual Life, reflecting our belief that student wellbeing is holistic and extends beyond mental health alone. Our goal is therefore to provide students with multiple pathways to support and to create an environment where they feel comfortable seeking help when they need it. We want every student to understand that taking care of their wellbeing and asking for support are important parts of thriving at university. 4. Education City brings together students from multiple universities under one ecosystem. How does this unique model enhance the overall student experience? Education City is one of the most distinctive higher-education ecosystems in the world, bringing together eight universities on one campus. What makes this model special is that students are not limited to the academic and student experience of a single institution. One of the greatest advantages of this multiversity model is cross-registration. Eligible students can take courses at other Education City universities and, in some cases, pursue joint minors and certificates. This gives them exposure to different disciplines, faculty, teaching approaches, and perspectives while allowing them to study alongside students from across the university community. The multiversity experience also extends far beyond the classroom. Students from different universities live together in QF Student Housing, participate in interuniversity sports, establish multiversity student clubs, attend cultural activities, volunteer locally or internationally, join leadership and entrepreneurship programs, and build friendships and professional networks across institutions. Ultimately, students may graduate from one university, but their education and personal development are enriched by the knowledge, people, resources, and opportunities of the entire Education City ecosystem. 5. What new initiatives or enhancements have been introduced this academic year to improve student life across QF’s universities?One of our priorities is to create more opportunities for students from different universities and disciplines to work together, particularly in entrepreneurship, innovation, and solving real-world challenges. One initiative we are strengthening this year, in collaboration with Qatar Science & Technology Park, our partner universities, and local industry partners, is Mobtakir – the Higher Education Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit. Mobtakir will bring together students from across Education City to develop innovative ideas, form multidisciplinary teams, and transform those ideas into potential ventures through a startup pitching competition. The strongest projects will have opportunities to access seed funding, mentorship, and other forms of support to help move their ideas closer to viable businesses. But Mobtakir is about much more than winning a competition. The experience teaches students how to identify problems, design solutions, collaborate across disciplines, communicate and defend ideas, manage a project, respond to feedback, and take thoughtful risks. 6. How does Qatar Foundation encourage collaboration among students from different universities and academic disciplines? Collaboration is one of the biggest advantages of the Education City model. We do not want students to spend four years knowing only the people in their own university or academic program. We deliberately create opportunities for students from different institutions and disciplines to meet, learn from one another, and work together. Cross-registration is one example. Students can study alongside students from another university and gain exposure to subjects outside their main discipline. But collaboration also happens outside the classroom. Students come together through sports competitions, leadership programs, student organizations, cultural events, volunteering, internships, entrepreneurship competitions, conferences, research activities, and community projects.Ultimately, we want our students to understand that the major challenges facing society cannot be solved by one discipline alone. Learning how to collaborate across disciplines is therefore an important part of preparing them for the future. 7. International students are an important part of Education City’s community. How does QF help them integrate into life in Qatar and build a sense of belonging? International students are an important part of the diversity and character of Education City. For many of them, coming to Qatar may be their first time living away from their families or even their first time living outside their home country. From the moment they arrive, universities organize orientation programs and activities that introduce them to Qatar, its culture, traditions, community, and everyday life.Many international students also live in QF Student Housing, which becomes their home away from home. Our Student Housing team organizes social, cultural, recreational, and educational activities throughout the year that help students meet one another and build friendships. Ramadan and Eid are particularly important times for community building. Being away from family during these occasions can be difficult, so we organize daily iftar gatherings and provide suhoor for students living in Student Housing. These experiences are important because integration is not simply about living in another country. It is about building relationships, understanding the culture, feeling welcomed, and developing a genuine sense of belonging. 8. Beyond academics, what opportunities are available for students to develop leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and community engagement skills? There are many opportunities for our students to develop skills outside the classroom, and this is one of our major priorities. A university degree provides students with important academic and technical knowledge, but employers also expect graduates to communicate effectively, work in teams, solve problems, manage their time, lead others, adapt to change, and demonstrate professionalism. Through the Mehnaty and Al Meydan programs managed by QF Student Life, undergraduate and graduate students can gain practical workplace experience through paid and unpaid opportunities across QF entities and other local organizations. We are also preparing to introduce the Universal Skills Passport, or USP. The idea is to help students identify, develop, and document the skills they gain outside the classroom. Our goal is to graduate students who leave Education City not only with a degree, but also with the skills, experiences, confidence, and sense of responsibility needed to make a positive contribution to society. 9. How do student services support graduates in preparing for employment and contributing to Qatar National Vision 2030? One concern we increasingly hear from employers, both globally and in Qatar, is that some graduates enter the workplace with strong academic and technical knowledge but may not be equally prepared in the human skills needed to succeed at work.These include communication, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, adaptability, professionalism, work ethic, and the ability to work with people from different backgrounds. This is why internships, leadership programs, volunteering, entrepreneurship activities, student employment, career development, clubs, sports, and community engagement are not simply extracurricular activities. They are an important part of a student’s overall education. This also connects directly with Qatar National Vision 2030. Qatar needs graduates who can contribute to a knowledge-based economy, create new ideas and businesses, serve their communities, and lead in a rapidly changing world. Our responsibility is therefore not simply to help students graduate. It is to help them become capable professionals, responsible citizens, lifelong learners, and future leaders who can contribute to Qatar and the wider world. 10. Looking ahead, what are your priorities for enhancing the student experience at Qatar Foundation over the next few years? I would highlight two major priorities. The first is preparing students for a rapidly changing future of work. Artificial intelligence, technology, automation, and new ways of working are changing almost every profession. We therefore need to make sure that our students graduate not only with strong academic knowledge, but also with transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, creativity, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, digital literacy, and problem-solving. The second priority is student wellbeing, resilience, and belonging. The past several years have shown us how quickly the world can change and have reminded us of the importance of building resilience and maintaining continuity during times of uncertainty. Students are dealing with academic pressure, uncertainty, social challenges, global conflicts, rapidly changing technology, and concerns about their futures. We therefore want to continue strengthening a culture in which students feel supported, connected, and comfortable asking for help. This includes mental and emotional wellbeing, physical health, spiritual wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging. For me, the future of student services is about educating the whole student. We should not measure success only by whether a student earns a degree. We should also ask: Have we helped this student become resilient? Can they work with others? Can they solve problems? Can they lead? Can they adapt to change? Do they have a sense of purpose? And are they ready to contribute positively to Qatar and the world? If we can answer yes to those questions, then we have truly prepared our students for the future.
