London, September 08 (QNA)– Qatar’s Cultural Attache to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland Fahad bin Mohammed Al Kuwari affirmed that the presence of more than 3,000 Qatari students in British universities reflects the State of Qatar’s commitment to investing in human capital.

He stressed that scholarships represent a national project aimed at preparing a generation capable of contributing to the country’s development.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Kuwari explained that the role of Qatari students abroad goes beyond academics to encompass cultural and social dimensions. He pointed out that there are 15 Qatari student societies across various cities in the UK and Ireland, organizing various activities such as National Day celebrations, Ramadan events, joint activities with their GCC peers, as well as community and charitable initiatives that reflect Qatari and Islamic values.

He noted that some student societies engage in humanitarian activities in collaboration with British charities, such as the Qatar Society Liverpool, which organized a charity football tournament in partnership with one of the largest UK charities, with students from different nationalities participating. This, he said, helped showcase a positive image of Qatari youth and their spirit of initiative.

He added that the Cultural Attache is keen on supporting tournaments that enhance students’ sense of competition and communication, including the “Afour” (Sand Storm) Weightlifting Championship, which has become an annual event with Qatari and international participation. Such activities, he noted, highlight Qatar’s image as a supporter of sports, youth, and health, while also promoting its mission of building bridges of cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

He explained that the UK is one of the top educational destinations for Qatari students, with more than 3,200 currently enrolled in British universities, compared to 2,610 in the 2022–2023 academic year. The Attache also supervises more than 100 students in Ireland, in addition to others in European countries such as Spain and Portugal.

He further noted that a recent independent study showed Qatari students spent more than 1 billion pounds in the UK over the past four years, with their economic contribution reaching 251 million pounds in 2024, and expected to rise to 257 million pounds in 2025.

Al Kuwari underlined that undergraduate students make up 72% of Qataris studying abroad, while postgraduate students (master’s and PhD) represent 28%. He highlighted a strong preference for engineering and cybersecurity (62%), alongside medicine, dentistry, medical specialties, artificial intelligence, data science, and sustainability.

He also emphasized that the Cultural Attachm has established comprehensive mechanisms to follow up on students’ affairs, including regular university visits, group and individual meetings, and electronic follow-ups through the “Scholarships” portal. It also adopts an “open-door”policy to support students academically and personally from before their travel until their settlement and integration into their new study environment.

He stressed the Attache’s focus on psychological and social support through individual and group meetings and workshops, helping students overcome the challenges of living abroad and adapt to their new surroundings. The ultimate goal, he affirmed, is to prepare ambassadors for Qatar who can excel wherever they are.

On the career pathway, he explained that most sponsored students are allocated future employers from the beginning of their scholarships, while also receiving training opportunities in collaboration with Qatari and international institutions such as Qatari Diar, beIN Media Group, and Qatar National Bank, enabling them to gain early practical experience.

He pointed out the launch of the UK Alumni Network in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and the British Council, along with the establishment of the Scotland Alumni Network to expand connections. Training sessions are also organized to prepare CVs, conduct job interviews, and build professional profiles on employment platforms.

Al Kuwari noted that the Cultural Attache has signed agreements with more than 15 British universities to secure over 100 seats for Qatari students in medicine and dentistry. He stressed that the selection of universities and specializations is based on a clear system aligned with a list approved by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, which is continuously updated to meet the state’s future needs.

He added that one of the Attache’s priorities is encouraging students to apply to prestigious universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and Imperial College, noting that special workshops are organized for high school students to prepare them for admission to such universities.

Concluded his remarks to QNA, Al Kuwari emphasized that the Cultural Attache participates in the Qatari–British Joint Technical Committee, a high-level platform that strengthens bilateral cooperation in education and scientific research. The committee includes working groups specializing in technical and vocational education, special needs, teacher training, cross-border education, and student mobility—contributing to building sustainable partnerships that serve shared educational priorities. (QNA)