Qatar is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and features in the World Bank's ten richest countries list in terms of asset stock and global wealth per capita. In 2003 exports were worth around GBP 184 million, the bulk of which were related to the oil and gas industries, but Qatar's increased wealth is reflected in a diversification of consumer spending on leisure, fashion and recreational items. The local economy remains healthy, based as it is on immense oil and gas wealth (Qatar has the third largest gas reserves in the world – with proven reserves of over 900 trillion standard cubic feet). Qatar has also been a key member of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) economies over the last two years. The resulting economic windfalls from the gas sector has already started filtering into the economy and has enabled Qatar to have one of the highest per capita income in the world, amounting to an estimated USD 28125 in 2002 according to the figures released by the Planning Council. The Qatari riyal is pegged to the US dollar and the rate of inflation is approximately two per cent per annum.
The population of Qatar is 800,000 of which approximately 25 per cent are Qatari citizens. 75 per cent of the population are expatriates of different nationalities and many are long-term residents. The largest expatriate communities are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. There is also a sizeable community of Egyptians and other non-Gulf Arabs. Almost 50 percent of the population resides in the city of Doha.
There are strong moves to bring Qatarisation into the workforce and to reduce the reliance on expatriate labour. There exists a substantial population of young non-Qatari nationals from other Arab nations and from the Indian subcontinent whose parents are relatively affluent and who can be targeted to market UK higher education.
There are 256 private schools and educational institutions operating in Qatar with 55,000 students; 91 primary schools, 46 preparatory schools and 40 secondary schools. Primary schools normally enroll children at age six for a six-year course (grades one - six). There are estimated to be around 38,000 students at primary level, 61 percent of whom are Qatari nationals.
Preparatory school (approximately for age 12-15 years) is a three-year course, which covers grades seven - nine. There are approximately 18,000 students at this stage with approximately 60 percent as above for Qatari nationals. On completion of this course pupils take a promotion examination administered by the Ministry of Education.
Secondary school is the final three-year course covering grades ten-12. During the final two years students are divided into scientific and literary streams. There are around 14,500 students at this level. At the end of Year 12 students take the General Secondary Education Certificate, “thanawiya a’ama”, which is comparable (with the exception of English Language) to GCSE standard.
Private schools and education institutions currently number around 256 in Qatar. Many of these serve particular national communities (such as the Indian, British, American). Others attempt to deliver a Western-style education within an Islamic context. At present only Doha College offers A levels and operates the English National Curriculum at secondary level. Qatar Academy introduced the International Baccalaureate programme in 2002.
Qatar University has also undergone education reform. It has implemented a comprehensive reform plan to improve the quality of higher education in Qatar and prepare graduates to compete in the global market. The University under an Emiri decree has been granted financial and administrative autonomy. The President of the University will have a similar role to Vice Chancellors at UK higher education institutions. Two Vice Presidents will manage the day to day affairs, Dr Sheikha Jabor Al Thani VP Academic Affairs, and Dr Homaid Abdulla Al Midfa VP Administrative Affairs. Under the reform plan a new academic structure has been established to include a central College of Arts and Sciences.
In 1995 the Qatar Foundation for Education Science and Community Development was set up as a non-profit organisation. A landmark in higher education standards was the establishment of the Education City by the Qatar Foundation under the chairmanship of HH Sheikha Mouza Al-Misnad, the Emir’s consort. American institutions of higher education (Virginia Commonwealth, Texas A&M, Weill Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown) have already established their campuses in the Education City.
The Academic Bridge Programme (ABP) recruits most of the students after the secondary school certificate to embark on a foundation programme which concentrates more on English, Mathematics and Computer Science. The students have to reach a minimum TOEFL score of 500. Students at the ABP are mostly sponsored either by the Supreme Education Council or by Qatar Petroleum.
The Supreme Education Council (SEC) set up by an Emiri decree in 2003 has emerged as the principal authority responsible for short and long term education reforms to build a world-class system in Qatar from Kindergarten to Year 12. The SEC comprises of the Education Unit, the Evaluation Unit and Higher Education Institute. In the reform, 47 charter (independent) schools were introduced. These schools are run on the same pattern as grant-maintained schools in the UK. The medium of instruction is English. In addition, the Evaluation Unit has initiated a pilot project for the setting up of standards and assessment at primary and secondary schools throughout Qatar. The test consists of a series of standardised tests in Arabic, English, Mathematics and Science. The Higher Education Institute (HEI) is responsible for administering student scholarships in Qatar. A worldwide list of universities has been developed by the HEI in which Qatari students can apply for scholarships to attend any of these universities. The reasoning behind developing such a list says the HEI, is to give Qatari students a widespread choice of universities and subject areas. The number of UK universities on the list is currently 26, however it has been recently announced by the Director of the HEI Dr Jehan Al Meer, that the number of UK universities will increase by December 2007.
Postgraduate students in Qatar are attracted to the UK as the “serious” option. Geographical proximity and shorter course lengths also make the UK product attractive. At present Qatar University offers masters programme in business administration (taught in English) and a postgraduate diploma in early childhood studies and special needs (taught in Arabic). The University is actively looking for UK partners to consider jointly accredited courses.
The undergraduate sector is growing. There is a small demand for institutes with foundation courses, or a ‘1+3’ package. Most Qataris have to follow the Academic Bridge Programme (see below) or the newly introduced foundation programmes at Qatar University in science, art and engineering. Once students graduate from the Academic Bridge Programme they are given scholarships by the Supreme Education Council to enroll in institutions of their choice. These scholarships will be categorised into three types;
- Prestigious scholarships for those students who achieve very high marks and are successful in being accepted in universities approved by the Scholarship Unit (SU)
- Sponsored students accepted at universities approved by the SU who will then administer the awards on behalf of the sponsors
- Student loans given to students who do not meet the Scholarship Unit’s academic criteria but who are willing to pursue higher education at their own expense.
Qatar Foundation has set up the Academic Bridge Programme which is compulsory for all Qatari students who successfully complete their secondary schooling and wish to study abroad on scholarship. At present students from government schools, Qatar Petroleum, Ministries and the Armed Forces are being given preference. After a year of this Foundation training students are selected for universities abroad or the Qatar University locally.
Qatar University has also undergone education reform and has introduced Foundation Year in both Arts & Sciences and Engineering (infra).
Qatar is an excellent market for English language courses and demand for English language courses in the UK is high and continues to grow. The most popular time of year for ELT courses is during the summer rush however students also go throughout the year for courses ranging from 3-6 months.
The further education sector is also growing for Qataris. Qatar Petroleum and its subsidiaries as well as Rasgas Qatargas offer the National Certificate. Students who obtain their National Certificates continue in the UK to obtain their HND’s and undergraduate degree.
The College of North Atlantic Qatar (CNA- Q) is the country's first technical educational establishment. It offers courses in engineering technology, business studies, information communications technology and health sciences . The chief of the Amiri Diwan announced at the recent opening that Qataris qualifying for diplomas from CNA Qatar will be treated at par with university graduates by the Civil Service Ministry and accorded senior positions. The President Dr Harold Jorch confirmed that credentials from the college would enable students to go either to the workplace or for a degree course.
There is no demand by Qataris and very little by other expatriates for schools in the UK, except for EFL and EFL plus summer courses.
British Council Qatar runs a local English language teaching centre, an examinations section, an Education UK department and a projects department. The Education UK promotion staff visit schools and universities in Qatar to promote English language courses in Britain, FE and HE in the UK. The education promotion department runs an English language placement scheme and an academic placement scheme for students wishing to study in the UK. The department also arranges for market briefings, and appointments with key contacts at schools, universities and ministries to university representatives visiting Qatar.
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