Doha, November 10 (QNA) - The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), represented by the Academic and Career Guidance Section at the Department of School and Student Affairs, has launched the second edition of its University and Career Fair for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Held under the theme "Your First Step Towards the Future: Your University... Your Major... Your Career Path," the fair will run until November 12 at the ministry’s permanent headquarters, bringing together more than 50 academic, government and professional entities across 70 information booths.

The opening ceremony was attended by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi along with senior ministry officials and representatives of participating organisations.

Director of the Department of School and Student Affairs, Maryam Al Nissf Al Buainain said the fair provides a platform for strengthening partnerships between the ministry, higher education institutions and professional organisations, while linking academic choices with future employment opportunities.

She highlighted the importance of enabling students to explore their interests and abilities and understand university programme requirements, helping them choose educational and career paths that match their ambitions and labour market needs. She also stressed the role of families and academic advisers in supporting students' decisions.

The fair aims to raise academic and career awareness among secondary school students and help them make informed decisions about their educational and professional futures. It offers direct interaction with higher education institutions, scholarship providers, employers and professional development organisations.

Students can learn about university programmes, admission requirements, scholarships and professional pathways aligned with labour market demands.

The three-day event is expected to welcome approximately 2,100 students from public, private and international schools.

The first day is dedicated to Grade 12 male students from public schools, with around 800 participants expected. The second day will welcome approximately 800 female Grade 12 students from public schools, while the third day is allocated to around 500 students from private and international schools. Parents are also welcome to visit the exhibition and explore the educational and career opportunities available to their children.

A wide range of Qatar-based higher education institutions are participating, including Qatar University, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Community College of Qatar, Lusail University, universities within Education City, and the Academic Bridge Program.

International educational institutions are also represented, including the universities of Aberdeen, Ulster, Northumbria and Liverpool John Moores, as well as the Qatar Aeronautical Academy.

Government entities and national institutions from various professional sectors are also taking part, including military and security organisations, government scholarship authorities, bodies responsible for university degree equivalency, the Qatar Career Development Centre, the British Council, and academic testing and preparation centres.

Their participation aims to familiarise students with available educational and professional opportunities and the requirements for accessing them.

The fair also features a programme of lectures and guidance sessions covering university major selection, admission requirements, scholarship opportunities, degree equivalency procedures, and academic and career planning.

These sessions provide students with direct information from relevant authorities, helping them develop a clearer understanding of their future options.

The second edition of the fair forms part of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's ongoing efforts to develop academic and career guidance services, strengthen alignment between higher education outcomes and labour market needs, and empower students to make informed decisions about their educational and professional futures, in line with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030. (QNA)