Doha, June 23 (QNA) - The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, announced the launch of the Digital Transformation Program as part of the Government Scholarship Plan for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The program aims to develop national digital talent, equip future leaders to drive digital transformation, and support Qatar's development priorities in strategic and technology sectors.

Speaking at a press conference, MOEHE's Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs Dr. Hareb Mohammed Al Jabri described the initiative as a major step forward in the government scholarship system, providing students with a clear pathway from secondary school to university education, professional training, employment, and long-term career development.

He said the program is specifically designed to align education with labor market needs and goes beyond scholarships by supporting students through post-graduation employment and career growth, helping build a national workforce capable of leading digital transformation across various sectors.

Al Jabri noted that the program's name reflects Qatar's national vision to strengthen the digital economy and accelerate technological transformation. Awareness campaigns will be conducted throughout the academic year to increase students' and parents' understanding of digital specializations and related career opportunities.

He added that the ministry has gradually shifted from general scholarship programs to specialized initiatives targeting key labor market needs, describing the Digital Transformation Program as one of the most significant strategic scholarship initiatives launched to date.

The program is based on the concept of scholarship ending with employment, ensuring students pursue disciplines directly linked to national priorities and labor market demands while securing suitable career opportunities after graduation.

Al Jabri highlighted a range of benefits for scholarship recipients. Students studying abroad at approved premier universities will receive monthly stipends of up to QAR 20,000, two annual business-class tickets, recognition of study years as service years, pre-departure allowances of up to QAR 40,000, and academic excellence rewards.

Students enrolled at approved universities under the engineering, science, and technology track will receive monthly allowances of up to QAR 14,000, annual travel tickets, pre-departure support of up to QAR 25,000, and guaranteed employment upon graduation.

Domestic scholarship students will also receive monthly stipends and tuition coverage at approved institutions, including universities in Education City and other local universities offering programs in digital transformation and advanced technology.

A key feature of the program is its integrated practical training component, developed in cooperation with the MCIT, which provides students with internship opportunities at leading digital and technology organizations throughout their studies, enabling them to gain professional experience before entering the workforce.

Regarding eligibility, Al Jabri said applicants must meet the requirements of the Government Scholarship Plan, including a minimum secondary school average of 80 percent for students in scientific and technological tracks.

Students from humanities tracks may join through an academic bridging program and must also satisfy admission requirements set by approved universities. Overseas scholarship applicants are required to obtain final, unconditional admission from an approved institution.

Al Jabri said the ministry has adopted a flexible approach regarding the number of available scholarships, noting that priority will be given to meeting Qatar's demand for digital talent and that scholarship allocations will be determined by national workforce needs.

He added that higher education institutions in Qatar have significantly expanded their digital transformation offerings in recent years, with more than 40 academic programs now available in the field.

Registration for overseas scholarships, Education City institutions, and private local universities will run from July 1 to August 15, while applications for government universities under the domestic scholarship track will be accepted from November 15 to December 30 through the Government Scholarship Platform.

MCIT's Director of Human Resources Abdullah Al Khalifa described the Digital Transformation Program as the result of strategic cooperation between the MCIT and MOEHE, and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau to prepare national talent in priority digital fields.

He said the program aims to guide secondary school graduates toward technology disciplines aligned with government labor market needs, helping match educational outcomes with current and future digital workforce requirements.

He added that the initiative directly supports Qatar's Digital Agenda and the Third National Development Strategy by preparing specialists and future leaders capable of managing and implementing technology projects that strengthen the digital economy and promote innovation.

Al Khalifa noted that the student journey begins after secondary school and continues through university studies, practical training, professional experience, employment, and ongoing career development in coordination with relevant government entities.

Participants will benefit from internship opportunities during summer and official breaks, access to local and international technology events, and mentorship and guidance programs.

He added that the ministry will support graduates in securing suitable employment opportunities while providing continuous professional development programs and partnerships with leading technology companies to ensure a comprehensive career pathway.

The program focuses on priority digital disciplines, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital analytics, and cloud computing, with the list of specializations regularly updated in coordination with government entities to reflect labor market needs.

For her part, Director of Government Manpower Planning at the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau Al Anoud Al Naemi said the program aims to align educational outcomes with future labor market requirements and strengthen the readiness of national talent to lead digital transformation projects in Qatar.

She explained that the Bureau works with government entities to monitor labor market trends and assess current and future workforce needs. Cooperation with MCIT has helped identify academic specializations and career pathways linked to the national digital agenda, ensuring government policies remain responsive to rapid labor market changes.

Al Naemi said the program forms part of a strategic partnership among the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, the MCIT, and the MOEHE to anticipate national workforce requirements and support long-term localization, scholarship, and employment initiatives.

She added that early workforce planning helps develop a generation of qualified national professionals capable of leading digital transformation projects while enhancing the ability of government entities to achieve their development goals efficiently and sustainably.

She also noted that ongoing coordination among government entities has led to improved incentives for technical and engineering professions. Amendments to the Human Resources Law increased the work nature allowance for engineering specializations, particularly computer engineering, from 35 percent to 75 percent, while additional benefits have been introduced for cybersecurity specialists.

Al Naemi stressed that the program's strategic objective is to support national digital transformation projects and ensure the availability of qualified human capital capable of meeting future demands through coordinated efforts between educational institutions, government entities, and the labor market. (QNA)