Doha: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, has launched the Digital Transformation Program under the Government Scholarship Plan for the 2026/2027 academic year.
- The initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau.
- The program aims to develop national digital talent and prepare future leaders in technology and innovation.
- It follows a “scholarship-to-employment” model, ensuring career opportunities for graduates in priority digital sectors.
- Focus areas include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Digital Analytics.
- Students studying abroad can receive monthly stipends of up to QAR 20,000, business-class travel benefits, and additional financial support.
- Local scholarship recipients will benefit from tuition coverage, monthly allowances, and guaranteed employment pathways.
- The program includes internships, mentorship, and practical training opportunities with leading technology organizations.
- More than 40 academic programs related to digital transformation are currently available at higher education institutions in Qatar.
- The initiative supports Qatar’s Digital Agenda and Third National Development Strategy, helping build a highly skilled national workforce for the digital economy.
The initiative aims to prepare a new generation of Qatari digital professionals and future leaders capable of driving the country’s digital transformation agenda while addressing workforce needs in strategic technology sectors.
Announcing the program during a press conference, Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs at MOEHE, Dr. Hareb Mohammed Al Jabri, described the initiative as a transformative step in the evolution of Qatar’s scholarship system. He said the program provides a comprehensive pathway that supports students from secondary education through university studies, professional training, employment, and long-term career development.
Dr. Al Jabri explained that the program aligns academic opportunities with labor market requirements, ensuring that scholarship recipients pursue specializations directly linked to national priorities. He emphasized that the initiative extends beyond financial support by guaranteeing employment opportunities and career growth after graduation.
The program follows the principle of “scholarship ending with employment,” enabling students to transition seamlessly into careers that support Qatar’s digital economy and technological advancement.
Scholarship recipients studying abroad at approved world-class universities will receive monthly stipends of up to QAR 20,000, two annual business-class air tickets, pre-departure allowances of up to QAR 40,000, academic excellence rewards, and recognition of study years as years of service.
Students enrolled in approved engineering, science, and technology programs will receive monthly allowances of up to QAR 14,000, annual travel tickets, pre-departure support of up to QAR 25,000, and guaranteed employment upon graduation.
The program also provides domestic scholarships covering tuition fees and monthly stipends for students studying at approved institutions, including universities in Education City and other local universities offering digital transformation and advanced technology programs.
A key component of the initiative is an integrated practical training framework developed in cooperation with MCIT. Students will gain hands-on experience through internships with leading technology and digital organizations throughout their studies, helping them develop workplace skills before graduation.
The program targets priority digital fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital analytics, with the list of specializations regularly updated to reflect evolving labor market demands.
Registration for overseas scholarships, Education City institutions, and private local universities will be open from July 1 to August 15. Applications for government universities under the domestic scholarship track will be accepted from November 15 to December 30 through the Government Scholarship Platform.
Officials from MCIT and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau highlighted that the initiative supports Qatar’s Digital Agenda and the Third National Development Strategy by strengthening national capabilities in technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
They noted that the program represents a strategic partnership designed to align educational outcomes with future workforce requirements while ensuring the availability of qualified national talent to lead digital transformation projects across the country.
Source: MoEHE Qatar