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Qatar National Library (QNL) recorded 1.25mn visits in 2025, the highest since it opened, as its expanding research infrastructure — including a new database of nearly 70,000 Qatar-focused research records — established it as a national destination for scholarship as well as reading, a senior official told Gulf Times."Qatar National Library is a research destination for students, graduates and researchers. The scale of the research work grew in 2025. We launched the Qatar Research Collection, a database that brings together nearly 70,000 Qatar-focused research records, more than 25,000 of which are available through open access," said Fatima H al-Sahli, head of the Stacks Maintenance Unit in the Public Engagement Department at QNL."Our Manara research repository passed 10,000 items and recorded over 1.5mn views and downloads. We also funded 1,423 open access articles, supporting 809 authors across 29 institutions in Qatar," she said.Al-Sahli said QNL takes the research mission very seriously, as the library is not just a place to borrow books."It is a working infrastructure for knowledge creation. University students and postgraduates gain access to thousands of international academic databases, research journals, and digital resources that would otherwise carry significant subscription costs. Researchers can draw on personalised consultation services, guidance on research methodology, and the rare and heritage materials held in our Heritage Library," she explained.According to the official, QNL holds more than 1mn physical titles across a diverse catalogue catering to book lovers of all ages. The collection covers everything from world literature and history to science, business, and children's books. Readers of almost any interest or age can find something that speaks to them.Al-Sahli said members can access the full collection either in person or digitally. "In addition to over one million physical books, it includes thousands of e-books and audiobooks, academic databases and research tools, children's learning resources, innovation spaces and a year-round programme of events and workshops. Our 2025 figures suggest the approach is working: we recorded 1.25mn visits, the highest since the library opened," she said.She underlined that the way people read is changing, and that QNL's digital offer keeps pace with the shifting patterns. "Through our mobile app and our online platforms, members can borrow thousands of e-books and audiobooks, and read digital magazines and newspapers at any hour, anywhere," she noted. "In 2025, our public e-resources drew more than 3.1mn checkouts and views, including over 120,000 children's e-resources."The official pointed out that different readers need different support, and that QNL offers specific support for each group."For the youngest, the Children's Library offers early-literacy tools, storytelling sessions, and interactive digital resources that make reading feel like entertainment; our Family Reading Programme more than doubled its participation in 2025, with children taking home an average of 16 books each, and reading habits formed this early tend to last a lifetime," al-Sahli said."For adults, the Qatar Reads initiative and the One Book, One Doha campaign turn reading into a shared experience, the latter engaging more than 26,000 people last year. Across every format and age group, the goal is the same: to remove the barriers between people and the books they want to read," she continued.The official highlighted the importance of the digital content and tools provided by the library. "Children today grow up as digital natives, and our offer reflects that. Through the app and our online platforms, families can reach thousands of children's e-books, interactive stories, and early-learning resources that support a child's literacy from the very first words. Our Children's Library pairs hands-on innovation spaces with a full programme of themed activities, STEM workshops, information-literacy sessions, and creative challenges," she said."Taken together, the figures and statistics mark a real contribution to global scholarship, with Qatar increasingly at the centre of that conversation. And it is to be highlighted that much of this is available remotely through our digital platforms," al-Sahli concluded. 

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has introduced a Nuclear Engineering scholarship programme, marking a new step in Qatar’s efforts to develop national expertise in strategic scientific fields through fully funded overseas studies and guaranteed government employment incentives. The programme, under the MoEHE’s Government and External Scholarship Programme for the 2026-27 academic year, has been developed in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau. It aims to prepare qualified Qatari professionals capable of supporting the country’s long-term requirements in the energy, environmental and advanced technology sectors. According to the MoEHE’s post on its X platform, registration opened on July 1 and will continue until August 15. Applications are being accepted through the Government Scholarship Platform, where prospective students can review the list of approved universities, eligibility requirements and programme details before submitting their applications. To qualify, applicants must obtain a minimum score of 80% in the General Secondary Education Certificate and secure final, unconditional admission to one of the accredited universities listed under the Government External Scholarship Programme. The selected university major must also correspond to the applicant’s secondary school academic track. Applicants are further required to demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving at least 6.0 in IELTS or 78 in TOEFL, or an equivalent qualification, in addition to meeting all general government scholarship requirements. The MoEHE said the programme offers a range of incentives designed to attract outstanding students to one of the country’s emerging strategic specialisations. Successful applicants will be appointed directly to Grade 9 upon receiving the scholarship, while their years of university study will be counted towards their government service record. Scholarship recipients will also receive a monthly scholarship allowance in addition to their regular salary throughout their studies. 

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. 

Three government ministries joined forces Wednesday to unveil a scholarship programme that will send Qatari students abroad to study nuclear engineering — with their salaries running the entire time they're in class.Standing at the podium of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's press conference, officials from MOEHE, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau laid out what they billed as one of the most generous scholarship packages the state has offered in a specialised technical field.The pitch is straightforward: students who qualify will receive a full government salary throughout their undergraduate studies overseas, have those study years counted toward their civil service tenure, and walk into a guaranteed Grade Nine government position upon graduation — with a path to postgraduate funding waiting after that."This is a strategic qualitative step," said Dr Hareb Mohammed al-Jabri, MOEHE's Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs, describing nuclear engineering as "one of the most critical and future-oriented scientific disciplines."He was direct about the programme's intent — it isn't simply about producing graduates, it's about filling a specific institutional gap. Appointments will go directly to MECC's Radiation Protection Department, which regulates radiation use across Qatar's medical and industrial sectors.The financial incentives are notable. Yousef Ibrahim al-Hamar, MECC's Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs, and Yaqoub Saleh al-Ishaq of the Civil Service Bureau confirmed that nuclear engineering carries an 85% work nature allowance under Prime Minister's Decision No. 25 of 2025 — the highest work nature allowance of any engineering discipline in the government structure.Officials were candid about why the scholarship must send students abroad: nuclear engineering is not taught anywhere in Qatar. Graduates will train at internationally accredited universities, working in labs and technical units within the Radiation Protection Department when they return, giving them hands-on exposure across medical imaging, industrial applications, and regulatory oversight.Al-Ishaq framed the Bureau's role as more than administrative. "We're ensuring alignment between educational outputs and actual career pathways," he said, describing the programme as an "integrated path" designed from the first day of undergraduate study through to a defined career trajectory in government service.Selection criteria are tight. Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence, meet specific grade thresholds from prior qualifications, satisfy English language requirements, and hold unconditional admission from an accredited university. Officials acknowledged the number of seats will be small, reflecting both the rarity of the specialization and the precision of the workforce need.An awareness campaign targeting secondary school students is planned to accompany the launch, with officials keen to demystify a field many young Qataris may know little about.The initiative falls under Qatar National Vision 2030's push to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on expatriate expertise in technically sensitive sectors.Applications are expected to open following the awareness rollout. 

Class of 2024 Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) graduate Fatima Yunusa has won the 2026 Rhodes Scholarship — the world’s oldest and most competitive international scholarship.A Nigerian public policy researcher, Yunusa is one of three recipients of the 2026 Rhodes Scholarship in West Africa. She is also among more than 30 other Georgetown students and alumni who have received the scholarship, and the third graduate of Georgetown’s Qatar campus to receive the award in the past five years, joining the likes of Khansa Maria (SFS’21), and Asma Shakeel (SFS’24).The scholarship selects promising young people from around the world who demonstrate integrity, leadership, character, intellect and a commitment to service to study at the University of Oxford.“Fatima’s commitment to uplifting others combined with her focus on public policy and public service exemplifies Georgetown’s highest ideals, and we look forward to seeing what she will accomplish,” said Georgetown Interim president Robert M Groves.As a Rhodes Scholar, Yunusa wants to build on her skills through public policy and public policy research graduate programmes in order to advance her home country’s national development.“I’m concerned about poverty eradication, poverty, and how it prevents people from living a life of dignity. My interest in development comes from recognising that high-quality jobs and opportunities are the most sustainable way for poverty alleviation,” said Yunusa, adding: “It’s a huge opportunity. I’m excited to learn from people who know public service from around the world.”Yunusa grew up moving across different parts of Nigeria. Along the way, she noticed how highly skilled individuals often lacked meaningful employment opportunities. She also saw people she loved struggle with these challenges in professions that hardly made ends meet. Her experiences made her question what she could do to empower communities to maximise their skills and talents.“While talent development initiatives exist in the country, they are not sustainable enough to yield the scale of transformation necessary to secure the country’s future. Existing initiatives are fragmented across sectors, often outdated, or tied to political administrations rather than lasting institutional mandates,” she said. “Nigeria must align its talent, market needs, and position within the international economy to advance.” 

Qatar Charity celebrated the graduation of 185 male and female university students sponsored under its 'Talib Al-Ilm' scholarship programme for the 2024-2025 academic year.The initiative, generously supported by the people of Qatar, aims to promote higher education, empower youth, and prepare a new generation of qualified leaders capable of driving social and community development.Speaking at the ceremony, Adam Abdul Fattah expressed pride in the partnership between Qatar Charity and SIMAD University, describing the occasion as a "historic milestone" in a journey of co-operation spanning several years.He said: "This moment marks not the end, but the beginning of a new journey one that calls for commitment, perseverance, and a sense of responsibility towards building a better future for your communities." He extended heartfelt thanks to the people of Qatar for their continued generosity, noting that their support has enabled thousands of students to complete their education and pursue professional success.In his remarks, Dr Mohamed Mohamud praised Qatar Charity's long-standing contribution to education and capacity building in Somalia.He highlighted that over the past 27 years Qatar Charity has played a vital role in preparing a new generation of leaders who now occupy influential positions in both government and the private sector.Since its launch in 1997, the "Talib Al-Ilm" programme has supported more than 3,600 university students around the world, providing full and partial scholarships to those in need.As part of its broader "Tamkeen" (empowerment) initiative, Qatar Charity has also supported over 225,000 students across 23 countries, enabling them to pursue their studies and build a brighter future.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) on Wednesday organised the third orientation meeting for scholarship students enrolled in national universities for the 2025-2026 academic year.The meeting was attended by a wide range of officials from MoEHE and national universities, alongside prominent academic figures from Qatar University, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Community College of Qatar, Lusail University, Al Rayyan International University College, and Qatar Aeronautical Academy, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, and parents.The event aimed to forge close relationships between students and the higher education sector according to well-established principles, provide broader familiarisation with scholarship rights and duties, clarify contracting procedures, and ensure scholarship students' follow-up with the higher education sector, in addition to offering an overview of the team overseeing them in local universities.Director of the Scholarships Department at MoEHE, Noora Mohammed Al Ansari, stressed that students are required to review the scholarship contract prior to signing it, as it constitutes their formal agreement. She highlighted the importance of familiarising themselves with the mechanism for placing students in job vacancies in accordance with the scholarship plan for the 2025-2026 academic year.Al Ansari further reviewed the procedures related to the scholarship program from enrollment through graduation, emphasising the essential need to maintain thorough documentation of the relationship between scholarship students and responsible officials, while proactively addressing any challenges they may encounter to ensure a smooth academic journey.Head of the Admission and Registration Department at MoEHE, Saleh Al Muftah, stressed that it is highly important for scholarship students and their parents to review the contract attentively, as students are the ones who determine their two preferences, which must be approved based on the consent of future employers.Participants in the Tomouh Program for Qatari teachers enjoy exceptional procedures, as they are proactively contacted by the ministry's Human Resources Department to establish a special employment contract, Al Muftah highlighted.The meeting concluded with an open discussion, during which students and their parents were given the opportunity to ask questions about the scholarship, which were answered promptly by the participants.

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)