Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced significant progress in its government scholarship program for the academic year 2025–2026, with the number of sponsored students now reaching approximately 850 scholarship recipients across various disciplines in Qatar and abroad.
The update was shared by Saleh Mohammed Al-Muftah, Career Guidance and Professional Development Consultant at the Ministry, who highlighted the growing demand for modern, high-priority fields aligned with Qatar’s national development goals.
Speaking to Qatar TV yesterday, Al-Muftah said the Ministry opened the scholarship application from July 1 to August 30, 2025, receiving an exceptional 3,700 applications.
“We have responded to about 90% of applicants so far,” he explained, noting that not all applicants fulfilled the criteria but emphasizing the Ministry’s flexible approach. “Any student who secures admission into an approved major at a recognized institution can be considered through pathways such as foundation programs or academic probation, provided they achieve the required GPA.”
Of the 850 scholarship students currently under sponsorship, around 250 are studying abroad, while approximately 600 are enrolled in universities within Qatar. The Ministry continues to process additional cases as students complete the second stage of documentation for their placements.
Al-Muftah noted that the scholarship policy aims to increase the number of Qataris holding diplomas, bachelor’s, and postgraduate degrees in fields that match national workforce needs and Qatar National Vision 2030.
He emphasized that the labor market has expanded to include new and emerging specializations, especially in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and other technology-driven disciplines.
“We are seeing major growth in AI, data analytics, and cyber-related fields. These specializations were not available in previous years, and now both male and female students are increasingly pursuing them.”
In the health sector, there has also been a notable rise in interest in allied health sciences, including clinical psychology, neuroscience, and genetics—programs that were previously limited or unavailable locally. Al-Muftah described this trend as “promising and reflective of new levels of awareness among students and parents.”
The Ministry’s Academic Guidance Office continues to play a central role in advising students on market-relevant careers through school visits, awareness workshops, and counselling initiatives. Al-Muftah stressed that scholarship choices are a coordinated effort involving the Ministry, schools, families, and the students themselves.
Financial and professional incentives introduced through the amended Human Resources Law have also contributed to growing student interest, particularly in education, health sciences, and other critical fields. Salary packages and career progression pathways have been enhanced to encourage more Qataris to join essential sectors such as teaching, and technical specialisations.
Regarding scholarship eligibility, Al-Muftah stated that requirements include good conduct, medical fitness, and academic thresholds ranging from 70% to 80%, depending on the field. For external scholarships, students must also achieve at least IELTS 6.0.
