Doha: Qatar Foundation (QF) and Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) have signed an agreement with the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) to provide education to AUAF students in the Education City in Doha.
This was announced by Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the U S, H E Sheikh Meshaal bin Hamad Al Thani, during his participation in the 15th annual dinner held in Washington by the Friends of the American University of Afghanistan (FAUAF).
The ceremony hosted former US presidential candidate and former Secretary of State H E Hillary Clinton as a guest of honour, while the dinner was chaired by former US First Lady H E Laura Bush.
Qatar’s Ambassador to the US stressed the honour of the State of Qatar to provide assistance to Afghan students at this pivotal moment, stressing the importance of the role of the American University of Afghanistan as an educational edifice. The number of students registered at the university reached more than 2,000 full-time and part-time students, nearly 45% of them are women, he said.
The AUAF maintains partnerships with some of the most prestigious universities in the United States, such as Stanford University, the Pearson Institute at the University of Chicago, the University of Maryland, Georgetown University and the University of California Network, the ambassador said, noting that as a result of recent events in Afghanistan, this institution faces an uncertain future, which requires preserving the education of its students inside and outside Afghanistan.
The Ambassador stressed on Qatar’s determination to continue as a force for good through its effective role in promoting peace, human rights and a more open, prosperous and equitable world.
Through the agreement between AUAF, QF, and QFFD, Afghan students can continue their education in the State of Qatar and it will enable them to learn without barriers, and without fear, H E Sheikh Al Thani noted.
He said that students will be part of the diverse international educational community and will be welcomed in the State of Qatar. He noted that there is an equal number of Qataris and non-Qataris, representing more than 70 countries, graduating annually from six American universities in the Education City. The majority of these graduates are female, more than two-thirds of them are graduates of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
This cooperative effort aims to provide a safe and permanent environment for students of the American University of Afghanistan, which reflects the belief of the State of Qatar that every person has the right to a quality education, H E said, stressing that there are no obstacles standing in the way of learning and that every young person should have the opportunity to grow, explore, innovate and realise potential.
The agreement between QF and QFFD and the American University of Afghanistan, secures all requirements that guarantee the residence of Afghan students in Doha, and provides opportunities for them to continue their education in Qatar and be able to learn without barriers and fear, especially since the State of Qatar hosts or currently houses some of these students, along with faculty and staff at the American University of Afghanistan in the campus of QF of the Education City.
Students of the American University of Afghanistan, who are all in the graduating stage, will receive the same care, attention and support during their stay in the Education City, in addition to providing them with Education City facilities and giving them the opportunity to participate in the activities and events enjoyed by the rest of the students in QF’s universities.
