DOHA: Qataris will now be trained to operate trains, with work in progress to establish a rail and metro network in the country ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Plans are afoot to set up an academy at Qatar University that will graduate students in ‘Railway Studies’ — a facility that would be the first of its kind in the country once operational.
Qatar and Germany yesterday signed an agreement for establishing the academy at Qatar University. The deal was inked between three parties: Qatar University, German railway company Deutsche Bahn, and the Qatar Rail firm.
Qatar Rail had signed a multi-billion dollar agreement with Deutsche Bahn for Qatar’s metro and railway projects, which will also link the country with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The first batch of Qatari students graduating from the proposed institute will be trained in operating the railway and metro networks in Qatar under the supervision of German engineers, according to the agreement.
It will also enable exchange of information and expertise between experts from the two countries. “We are proud of this joint venture, which is a very important step in the field of education and development in Qatar,” Dr Sheikha Abdullah Missned, president of Qatar University, said.
Abdullah Turki Al Subai, administrative director of Qatar Rail Company, said the institute will be the first of its kind in the region offering training in operating trains. THE PENINSULA
