Doha: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education approved 17 new academic programmes in 2021 totalling 362 programmes providing diverse specialisations for job market.
“The list of universities accredited by the Ministry increased to 1,677 varsities worldwide where students from Qatar can pursue their high education,” said Spokesperson of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Mohamad Al Bishri.
Speaking in a Qatar Radio programme, Al Bishri who is also advisor to the Minister of Education and Higher Education, said that 70 schools were provided with necessary equipment to accommodate students with disabilities. The programme of gifted students implemented in 12 new schools during this academic year increasing the number of such schools to 33,” said Al Bishri.
Highlighting the achievements of the Ministry, he said that the first Indian university in Qatar, a campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), opened in September receiving first batch of the students and the College of the North Atlantic Qatar (CNA-Q) converted into a full-fledged university.
“Six higher education institutions (university/college) received initial or final licensing approval from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in 2021. With these new institutions for higher education, the total number of higher institutions in the country will reach 32,” said Al Bishri.
He said that this year, the Ministry approved 17 new academic programmes of various specialisations including Artificial Intelligence and Marine Science, increasing the number of authorised academic programmes in the country to 362.
“The students on scholarships in local universities reached three times compared to those in universities abroad,” said Al Bishri.
He said that increasing standard of universities operating in Qatar played major role in attracting large number of students, adding that COVID-19 is one of the factor behind students’ preference to pursue their higher studies in the country.
“The Ministry converted almost its all services into online enabling students and other service seekers to make the transactions within few minutes,” said Al Bishri.
Speaking about the achievements of education affairs sector of the Ministry, he said that school curricula from KG to 12 grades were completely upgraded adding more streams, early education, specialised education and many more.
“The curricula development project aims to provide all students in Qatar skills and capability which they need to contribute in the social and economic development of the country following Qatar National Vision 2030.”
“The Ministry adopted one of the best educational system in the world. Based on advanced technologies and qualified staff, e-learning platforms were developed which helped greatly in keeping the education continue without disruption during pandemic.”
He said that other achievements of the Ministry included building specialised schools for students with disabilities and developing adult education system to provide alternative to such students to complete their secondary school.
“To provide education opportunities, four new schools have been rehabilitated to accommodate students with disability, totalling 70 such schools operating in the country,” said Al Bishri.
He said that programme of gifted students will be implemented in more schools during the next academic year 2021-22. To assess the ability of gifted students, the Ministry launched a policy and guideline in 2018 which is gradually implemented in the schools, so far the programme reached to 33 government schools.
