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Qatar is offering its most promising athletes a route to chase a university degree and a sporting career at the same time, after the Ministry of Education and Higher Education unveiled a dedicated sports scholarship pathway under the Government Scholarship Programme. The ministry, through its Higher Education Affairs Sector, launched the new track at an orientation session for gifted students, held in co-ordination with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and attended by students, parents and representatives of relevant bodies. In a statement Wednesday, the ministry said the pathway is designed to spot and nurture national sporting talent while allowing student athletes to pursue higher education alongside their athletic development. The aim, it said, is to produce graduates who are qualified both academically and athletically — able to represent Qatar on the international stage while contributing to the country’s wider development goals. During the session, officials set out the objectives of the track, which awards government scholarships on the basis of demonstrated sporting talent. Eligible students may enrol across a range of academic disciplines at higher education institutions in Qatar, within a learning environment tailored to support both study and continued competition. The ministry also spelled out who can apply. Candidates must be nominated by the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Qatar Olympic Committee, meet the general criteria of the Government Scholarship Programme, secure an unconditional offer from a participating university under the domestic scholarship scheme, and commit to maintaining their professional sporting pathway throughout their studies.  Officials outlined the benefits on offer. These include payment of tuition fees for students at eligible private universities under approved regulations, co-ordination with the relevant sporting authorities, and access to employment-linked scholarship opportunities under existing government policies — all aimed at sharpening graduates’ readiness for the labour market. Applications for the sports track during the second admission period for public universities will be accepted through the Government Scholarship Platform between November 15 and December 30. The session gave students and parents detailed guidance on how to apply and answered questions on the programme’s requirements and benefits. The ministry said the launch reflects its commitment to investing in promising national talent and deepening the link between the education and sports sectors — helping raise a generation that pairs academic achievement with sporting excellence in service of Qatar’s long-term ambitions. 

The Ministry of Labour (MoL), in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), on Sunday announced the launch of screening interviews for the Government Scholarship Programme for the Private Sector.The interviews are the first phase of the strategic initiative that includes partners such as Qatar Investment Authority, Sidra Medicine, Qatar National Bank, and Es’hailSat, among several stages involving a range of private sector partners participating in the programme.It boosts the partnership between the Ministry of Labour, the MoEHE, and the private sector. It aims to support the country’s approach to sending national talents for the first time to this vital sector.The initiative contributes to providing tools and opportunities for Qatari citizens, enhancing the skills of the national workforce, enabling them to contribute to driving the growth of the national economy, achieving a prosperous future, and building a society capable of innovation and entrepreneurship. This aligns with the goals of the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030.The scholarship programme targets two main categories: students applying for the government scholarship in the private sector and those initially nominated scholarship recipients.These candidates undergo rigorous assessment interviews to measure the compatibility of their qualifications and capabilities with the requirements of the beneficiary employers, ensuring optimal alignment between educational outcomes and labour market needs.The first phase of the Private Sector Scholarship Programme included Qatari students selected according to strict criteria that ensures academic excellence and professional readiness.The Qatar Investment Authority is conducting direct interviews with the nominated students to assess their preparedness and compatibility with the nature of work in the investment and financial institutions affiliated with the authority.Upon successfully passing the interviews, official procedures continue with the signing of the scholarship contract, marking the beginning of an academic and professional journey tailored to the needs of the private sector. This process ensures mutual commitment between the scholarship students and the beneficiary entities of the programme’s outcomes.This initiative comes as part of the efforts by the Ministry of Labour, in co-operation with the MoEHE and success partners in both the public and private sectors. It represents an unprecedented experience aimed at activating scholarships as a strategic tool to qualify Qatari cadres, supporting the localisation plan by building a qualified and highly skilled national workforce. It also prepares them to enter the private sector labour market and participate effectively in the country’s sustainable development journey.The Government Scholarship Programme for the Private Sector also aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which prioritises human resource development. It supports the national direction to empower Qatari youth to pursue specialised fields required in the private sector, particularly in areas such as financial services, information technology and digital services, food and agriculture, education, healthcare, logistics, tourism, manufacturing industries, construction, and real estate.This step represents a qualitative leap in expanding the scope of the government scholarship programme to include private sector institutions for the first time. It directs the programme towards serving economic development goals and enhancing the participation of national cadres in private sector institutions. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Labour’s efforts within the National Workforce Affairs Sector in the private sector, aiming to activate the localisation law and increase the employment rates of Qatari nationals in this vital sector. (QNA)