The Minister of State for International Cooperation H E Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater recently participated in an event showcasing the achievements of international partners in providing access to higher education for Afghan refugees. The event, which took place on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, was hosted by the Institute of International Education, Education Above All (EAA), and the Afghan Future Fund. The event was attended by various high-level officials, including the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in the United States John Bass, and US Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri.
During her speech at the event, H E Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater highlighted the State of Qatar’s role as a key partner in international efforts to protect the educational rights of Afghan youth. She praised the collaboration between the QFFD, EAA, Afghan Future Fund, and the Institute of International Education in providing educational opportunities to displaced Afghan students, many of whom have faced threats to their safety. She specifically mentioned the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project (QSAP), which has provided scholarships to 250 Afghan students to pursue their studies at prestigious universities in the US. Al Khater emphasized that this scholarship represents hope, opportunity, and a determination to build a brighter future for Afghan youth.
The Minister of State for International Cooperation also highlighted the importance of the partnership between Qatar and the US in supporting the educational rights of Afghan women and girls. She commended the joint efforts of both countries in providing scholarships, strengthening academic advising, leadership development, and creating safe and supportive spaces for Afghan students to thrive. Al Khater emphasized that education is a basic human right, especially for marginalized populations, and reiterated Qatar’s commitment to supporting the educational infrastructure in Afghanistan and building the capabilities of the future generation in the country.
The event participants discussed the cooperation between Qatar and the US in promoting educational opportunities for Afghan youth and the challenges and successes of implementing the QSAP 1 project. They also explored new partnerships and projects to address the ongoing need for Afghan youth to access education, particularly females. The discussions at the event aimed to shed light on the current situation facing Afghan youth regarding higher education and to develop strategies to further support their educational goals. Overall, the event highlighted the collaborative efforts of international partners in ensuring that Afghan refugees have access to quality higher education opportunities.
