Education and Research

Education is an important pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, the country’s development plan to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons. To that end, Qatar has prioritised developing and reforming the education sector, with a substantial portion of its energy revenue dedicated to education. Although the decline in international oil prices in recent years has resulted in some cuts to funding, public spending is once again on the rise in the country, with education allocated 9.3% of the 2019 budget. While the economic blockade had an adverse effect on opportunities for regional academic collaboration, the impact on the overall sector has been limited, with a slight dip in student enrolment and staff retention in some private schools. This chapter contains interviews with Hassan Rashid Al Derham, President, Qatar University; and Richard O’ Kennedy, Vice-President for Research, Development and Innovation, Qatar Foundation.