Doha, May 14 (QNA) - HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi stressed that Qatari-American relations in the field of education are a model of fruitful strategic cooperation.

In a special interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency noted that the sixth US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, held in March 2024, witnessed significant progress in the field of education. One of its key outcomes was the signing of a memorandum of understanding establishing the "American Corner" at the Community College of Qatar, which was the first of its kind since 2014, aimed at enhancing cultural and academic exchange between the two countries, His Excellency explained.

He also noted that the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced plans to increase the number of Qatari students enrolling in US higher education institutions, both within Qatar and in the United States, which reflects a shared commitment to expanding academic cooperation. Among the most prominent supporting programs is the US Fulbright Program, which has recently been revitalized to host Qatari researchers in the United States, thereby contributing to strengthening research collaboration and the exchange of scientific expertise.

Furthermore, Al Nuaimi noted that Qatari universities, such as Qatar University and Doha University for Science and Technology, are actively working to expand their partnerships with American educational institutions. This contributes to enhancing opportunities for student and academic exchange and improving the overall quality of education.

Regarding the future vision for educational cooperation within the framework of the US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, His Excellency said that the vision centers on strengthening academic and research partnerships, expanding cultural exchange programs, and developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills among teachers and students in support of sustainable development goals and fostering mutual understanding between the two peoples.

He emphasized that the continued strategic cooperation in education between the two nations reflects their commitment to developing an educational partnership based on mutual understanding and respect, which contributes to achieving their shared goals in education, research, and cultural exchange.

On the number of American schools operating in Qatar, Dr. Al Nuaimi explained that there are 47 private schools and kindergartens following the American curriculum. These institutions offer an educational model aimed at preparing global citizens through accredited curricula, cultural diversity, a focus on sustainability, and core values. Among the most notable of these schools are the American School of Doha, GEMS American Academy, and Hamilton School, among others.

The number of Qatari students currently studying in the United States stands at 68, including 48 undergraduate students, 12 pursuing master’s degrees, and 8 enrolled in doctoral programs.

Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi explained that the number of U.S. universities accredited by Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education reached 133. Meanwhile, the number of students enrolled in US universities located in Qatar’s Education City during the 2023–2024 academic year amounted to approximately 2,846.

Regarding the alignment between Qatar and the United States in terms of the quality of their education systems, Dr. Al Nuaimi noted in his interview with QNA that both countries are witnessing significant development in the education sector, with notable convergence in several areas, particularly in educational quality, digital learning, and special education.

He emphasized that both nations are working to build advanced educational systems founded on principles of innovation, quality, and inclusivity, with the aim of preparing generations capable of meeting the demands of the global knowledge-based economy. Despite differences in cultural contexts and geographic scale, there is a clear alignment between the two countries in terms of educational vision and strategic goals.

Dr. Al Nuaimi affirmed that both Qatar and the United States place skills-based education at the heart of their educational policies. They are striving to strengthen the link between education and the labor market by integrating skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship into their curricula. He also pointed out that Qatar has adopted American programs, such as STEM, to develop its education system and build student competencies. 

Regarding the quality of digital education in Qatar and the United States, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education noted that both countries are witnessing rapid development and are seeking to enhance the quality of digital education systems through clear policies, development strategies, and capacity-building for teachers and students.

In this context, His Excellency spoke about an analytical comparison between the two countries in terms of the quality of digital education. He explained that in the field of ​​policies and strategies, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education launched the National E-Learning Strategy in 2023, with the aim of empowering teachers and students with digital skills, developing interactive content and digital books, enhancing collaboration with global companies such as Microsoft, modernizing the digital infrastructure, and integrating AI technologies into teaching and learning.

In the United States, HE Undersecretary noted that educational policies focus on developing national plans for implementing digital education and teacher training, providing a robust communications infrastructure, integrating technology into all curricula, and supporting innovation in digital education at the school and university levels.

Regarding the quality of the educational experience under digital learning, His Excellency emphasized that the State of Qatar seeks to make digital education more interactive and stimulating through advanced training programs for teachers in cooperation with global companies such as Microsoft, as well as partnerships with research institutions such as WISE to keep pace with the latest developments in education and apply them to the Qatari education system.

In contrast, HE noted that schools in the United States offer an advanced digital educational experience, relying on the use of computers, tablets, and effective educational software at all levels of education, supported by ongoing training programs for teachers, with technical partnerships to develop digital content, and promote diversity and inclusion within the educational environment.

Regarding the similarities between the two countries in the quality of the education system in the field of special education, His Excellency told QNA that both the State of Qatar and the United States of America attach great importance to developing the special education system and the education of people with disabilities, as it is one of the pillars of educational justice and social integration.

HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education explained that both countries are working to establish legislation and laws that guarantee the right to education for people with disabilities and support the principle of inclusive education, while obligating educational institutions to provide supportive, multidisciplinary learning environments to ensure the success of students with disabilities.

The similarities between the two sides in this area also include providing educational support services such as resource rooms, support classes, and specialized teachers, in addition to supportive therapeutic services such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral support.

His Excellency pointed out that the number of qualified educational personnel is a shared priority, as both countries offer specialized academic programs, along with continuing professional training, and implement a mandatory professional licensing system for special education teachers and support service providers.

Regarding educational cooperation between Qatar and the United States, His Excellency emphasized that this cooperation is one of the most prominent aspects of the effective partnership between the two countries. He noted that this cooperation has developed in recent years to include various fields such as academic training, digital learning, technology, and specialized education, particularly in the STEAM fields, in addition to participation in international competitions.

HE emphasized that these efforts aim to create a stimulating educational environment that combines international standards with local needs, and provides promising opportunities for Qatari students to acquire skills and knowledge in accordance with the latest educational trends.

His Excellency pointed out that one of the most prominent areas of cooperation is the development of educational curricula, as the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has cooperated with several American institutions to develop curricula, such as the RAND Corporation, McGraw-Hill, and Pearson, particularly in the field of developing mathematics curricula.

He also pointed out that Qatari students participate in international science competitions held in the United States, such as the Regeneron ISEF competition, in addition to their regular participation in the Robotics Competition organized by the First Lego League in the United States.

On the technical training front, His Excellency explained that the pilot phase of the Cisco Academy project has been implemented, providing specialized training for technology track students in grades 11-12, in addition to training computer teachers and IT coordinators in areas such as cybersecurity, computer networks, programming, data science, and operating systems.

HE Undersecretary also touched on the Student Awareness Community Talks (SACT) competition, in cooperation with the US Embassy in Doha, with the participation of 90 students from public schools in the preparatory and secondary stages to enhance their leadership skills.

He also spoke about the key partnerships at Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys, which prepare students to take the US' Advanced Placement Program (APP) exams, in addition to the SAT exams. He explained that the school is accredited by both the College Board and Cognia, which provides continuous opportunities to improve educational performance based on scientific standards and provides accurate assessment tools to measure achievement and identify areas for development.

In an effort to promote project-based learning and STEAM skills, His Excellency explained that laboratories are being provided by the Fab Foundation, a non-profit organization that manages the global Fab Lab network. The goal is to enable students to engage in practical learning, raise the quality of education according to the latest international standards, and provide training programs and educational accreditation services. (QNA)