London: Qatar’s Cultural Attache to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, Fahad bin Mohammed Al Kuwari, highlighted the presence of over 3,000 Qatari students in British universities as a testament to Qatar’s commitment to human capital investment. He emphasized that scholarships are a vital national initiative aimed at preparing a generation capable of contributing to the country’s development.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Kuwari detailed that Qatari students’ roles extend beyond academics, incorporating cultural and social dimensions. There are 15 Qatari student societies across the UK and Ireland, hosting activities such as National Day celebrations, Ramadan events, and collaborative initiatives with GCC peers. He mentioned that these societies also engage in humanitarian efforts, exemplified by the Qatar Society Liverpool’s charity football tournament in partnership with a major UK charity.
Al Kuwari stated that the Cultural Attache supports competitive tournaments such as the ‘Afour’ Weightlifting Championship, an annual event with international participation. These activities promote Qatar’s mission of cultural and humanitarian cooperation and highlight its support for sports and youth.
He noted that the UK is among the top educational destinations for Qatari students, with over 3,200 currently enrolled in British universities. The Attache also oversees more than 100 students in Ireland and others in European countries. An independent study revealed that Qatari students contributed over 1 billion pounds to the UK economy over the past four years, with projections of 257 million pounds in 2025.
Al Kuwari reported that undergraduate students make up 72% of Qataris studying abroad, with a strong preference for fields like engineering and cybersecurity. The Attache has established mechanisms to support students, including regular university visits and an ‘open-door’ policy to assist them academically and personally.
He stressed the importance of psychological and social support to help students adapt to living abroad. The Attache also facilitates career pathways by aligning sponsored students with future employers and providing training opportunities with organizations such as Qatari Diar and Qatar National Bank.
Al Kuwari announced the launch of the UK Alumni Network and the Scotland Alumni Network to expand professional connections. The Attache has agreements with over 15 British universities to secure seats for Qatari students in medicine and dentistry, aligning with an approved list by the Ministry of Education.
He encouraged applications to prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge and highlighted workshops to prepare high school students for admission. Al Kuwari concluded by emphasizing the Attache’s participation in the Qatari-British Joint Technical Committee, which fosters bilateral cooperation in education and research.