Doha, September 02 (QNA) - The Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC) has concluded the 2026 Career Counselors Forum, held over two days in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the US Embassy in Qatar, and Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, with the participation of more than 200 academic and career counselors from schools, educational institutions and various entities across Qatar.
The forum featured 15 sessions and training and discussion workshops in Arabic and English, providing participants with practical knowledge and tools to strengthen their ability to guide students amid diverse academic pathways, changing skills and requirements, and the rapid transformation of the modern labor market.
Executive Director of QCDC Saad Abdullah Al Kharji said the impact of developing one career counselor extends to every student they guide, stressing that investing in the forum is ultimately an investment in the quality of decisions young people make about their education and career futures.
He added that the forum focused on equipping counselors with the expertise needed for their work, noting that strengthening this professional community helps establish more consistent and effective career guidance standards within the education system and better prepares young people for higher education and the labor market.
Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Maha Zayed Al Qaqqa Al Ruwaili said the forum represents an important professional platform enabling counselors to learn from experts, explore the latest practices and trends, exchange experiences and build professional partnerships.
She explained that the forum also enables counselors to connect with universities and educational institutions and learn about available opportunities and pathways, allowing them to provide students and parents with accurate and reliable information.
She added that quality academic and career guidance begins with quality counselor preparation and continuous development, considering investment in counselors' development a direct investment in students and their ability to make more informed educational and career decisions and successfully transition to higher education and professional life.
She stressed the Ministry's pivotal role in supporting the professional development of counselors, describing them as key partners in preparing students for their futures and enhancing their readiness for the requirements of education and the labor market.
For his part, President of Higher Education at Qatar Foundation Dr. Francisco Marmolejo said empowering career counselors means empowering the dream makers who help students discover their abilities, navigate an ever-changing world and build their futures with confidence.
Over two days, the forum addressed topics directly related to counselors' daily practice, including university admissions, scholarship plans, future labor-market skills, international study opportunities, artificial intelligence and its role in student guidance, career readiness and professional development.
The forum also provided opportunities for participants to engage directly with specialists and experts from the education sector, government entities, professional development institutions and international organizations, helping them apply their newly acquired knowledge to provide more practical and effective guidance to students.
The accompanying networking exhibition brought participants together with representatives of more than 30 universities and educational and training institutions from the public and private sectors. 
They explored their academic programs, pathways, services and opportunities, strengthening counselors' ability to convey this information to students at their schools and institutions.
The forum reflected the complementary efforts of its partners. 
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education contributed its expertise in academic and career guidance and scholarship pathways; Qatar Foundation's Higher Education sector provided insights into opportunities and pathways at Education City universities; and the US Embassy in Doha shared expertise on study opportunities in the United States. (QNA)