Qatar University (QU) held a dialogue session recently on scholarship opportunities and training programs offered by QU to distinguished Qatari students to prepare them for professional employment at QU and in the various sectors of society.

QU President Professor Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad, QU VP for Academic Affairs Dr Sheikha Jabor Al Thani, Director QU Scholarships Office Cesar Wazen and seven scholarship students discussed the achievements and challenges of preparing for and pursuing graduate scholarship at home and abroad, and encouraged other students to take advantage of opportunities for further education provided by QU.

“Qatar University is keen to support Qatari students in gaining high professional levels to join the growing number of well-educated Qataris in the labor market and contribute to the country’s development,” Al Misnad said. She explained that high-achieving students are nurtured from their third year at QU and while pursuing their scholarship programs, are regarded as full QU employees.

Student Tamadher Al Malek who recently completed her Master’s at Columbia University said, “I am planning to take a year off to work at QU to gain practical experience before I continue on to pursue my PhD”.

QU chooses the best scholarship offers for its students at well-known and approved universities, Prof Al Misnad said, adding “we need Qatari faculty in all specialisations and encourage students to seek entry not only at international universities, but also at QU if the disciplines are offered here.” QU also interacts with students and parents to encourage them towards further education and scholarship opportunities, she said.

The scholarship program has advanced since its first batch of students in 2000. There are currently 39 Qatari students on QU scholarship – 26 PhDs and 13 Masters’ in various disciplines – arts & sciences, education, engineering, counseling, law, library studies, survey research and sharia at universities in UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Sweden, KSA, Malaysia, Jordan, and UAE. The number is expected to rise to about 53 with 7 new scholarships in process and a further 7 in the pipeline, Dr Al Thani said.