Doha, December 17 (QNA) - HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater affirmed that celebrating National Day embodies the meanings of loyalty to the homeland and recalls the memory of the ancestors and their sacrifices, noting that the belief that people are the basis of renaissance, the focus of development and the maker of the future, which has shaped the approach of the State of Qatar and its leaders in the past and present.

In a special statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Her Excellency said that this occasion represents a renewal of the pledge to continue the path of building under the wise leadership of the country, extending her highest congratulations and blessings to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and to the loyal Qatari people and all residents.

Her Excellency pointed out that Qatar is witnessing a comprehensive renaissance on all levels, which is the fruit of the insightful national vision of the wise leadership, whose wisdom was evident in managing crises and employing the country’s resources for the benefit of humanity.

She explained that the National Day slogan, 'With You It Rises, From You It Awaits,' expresses a strong social contract between the nation and its people, based on rights, duties, and joint action. It affirms that the nation’s elevation and the sustainability of its renaissance depend on the individual’s awareness of their role and their active participation in preserving achievements and shaping the future, and not merely receiving the fruits of development, inspired by the founding journey launched by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani in 1878 AD.

The State of Qatar celebrates National Day by having established itself as an active partner in the international community through its wise diplomacy, its efforts in mediation and conflict resolution, and the promotion of international peace and security, as well as providing developmental and humanitarian assistance to the people of the world, particularly in supporting education in conflict zones, in addition to its leading role in the sports field and its status as a global tourist destination, HE Minister of Education and Higher Education said.

Inspired by the National Day slogan, Her Excellency affirmed that the Ministry of Education and Higher Education is based on a transformative vision for education, which is to prepare an entrepreneurial learner who supports sustainable development, believing in the power of education and its ability to bring about societal transformation, to be the leading sector for development and the source of building human and knowledge capital.

Her Excellency stressed that the education system in Qatar seeks to achieve quality through 653 governmental and private schools and kindergartens, providing good, equitable and inclusive education for all, especially students with disabilities who study in 98 inclusive schools and 7 specialized schools, in addition to specialized academies and kindergartens for early intervention, stressing that no one is outside the education system in the country.

HE Minister also highlighted the ongoing renaissance in higher education and pointed out that Qatar has 33 higher education institutions offering 478 academic programs in various disciplines, with more than 52,000 students studying at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. Qatari students make up about 60% of students, as they are the real wealth for strengthening the knowledge-based national economy, while international students represent an important dimension of Qatar’s soft power, she added.

She expressed her pride that 2025 marked a significant milestone in the students' journey, as they made a qualitative and honorable appearance in scientific and skill-based competitions at the local, regional and international levels, and achieved accomplishments in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and innovation, reflecting the maturity of the educational system and the students' ability to excel and compete.

Concluding her statement to QNA, Her Excellency called on students, parents, and all segments of society to draw inspiration from the directives of HH the Amir during the 54th session of the Shura Council, to invest in the education of their children, raise the bar of ambitions, and take advantage of the academic opportunities and options provided by the state, and stressed that education represents the best and most promising investment for the individual, society, and the nation. (QNA)