The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Doha, Qatar has announced an increase in the number of government scholarship seats for the academic years 2024-2025, with the number expected to reach 1,500, a significant increase from the previous year’s 700 seats. This increase is attributed to the expansion of education tracks from 3 to 8, aimed at meeting the needs of the Qatari labor market in both government and private sectors.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency, Dr. Hareb Mohammed Al Jabri, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs, discussed the government scholarship plan for the upcoming academic year. He emphasized the goals of economic growth, equal opportunities, diversity, inclusion, and talent development. The government scholarship program is open to all Qatari students who meet the necessary requirements.
The scholarship program has evolved to focus on specific tracks such as engineering, science and technology, medicine, education, social sciences, humanities, creative economy, vocational studies, and sports. Previously, scholarships were based on general university rankings, but now they are aligned with specific tracks to ensure the quality of outcomes upon completion of studies.
Dr. Al Jabri highlighted the multiple opportunities available for Qatari students under the government scholarship policy, with percentages ranging from 60 to 100 percent depending on the track and specialization. Special programs have been introduced for top-performing students in literary and scientific tracks, allowing them to choose their preferred fields of study both in Qatar and abroad.
The ministry has also revised and improved financial benefits for scholarship recipients to address rising living costs and inflation in host countries. For students studying in medical fields, additional benefits are provided to support and encourage these specializations. The Amiri scholarships for the top 24 universities worldwide offer a monthly stipend of QAR 20,000 and other incentives to attract students to study at these prestigious institutions.
Dr. Al Jabri emphasized the importance of maintaining the quality of educational outcomes by regulating and ensuring students enroll in accredited and reputable universities. The ministry aims to balance encouraging academic pursuits with ensuring students obtain valid qualifications from recognized institutions. Steps have been taken to facilitate approval processes for selected universities, which are among the approved institutions listed by the ministry.
Efforts have been made to encourage students to study in countries with diverse cultures while considering the specific language requirements for non-English speaking countries. The ministry also allows self-funded students to study abroad, provided they obtain prior approval for their programs. The overall goal is to enhance Qatar’s international education indicators by increasing the capabilities of national universities and supporting community members in obtaining degrees and postgraduate studies.
