Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs: Education an Important Factor in Addressing Crisis That Targeted Qatar

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs: Education an Important Factor in Addressing Crisis That Targeted Qatar

Doha - Information Office - 06 May  

The role of educated Qataris and residents was an important factor in addressing the challenges of the crisis that hit the Gulf region and targeted the State of Qatar and its people since last June, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani affirmed, calling for the de-politicization of education in the event of disputes between States.

The State of Qatar has always relied on its young people as a form of determination and progress, and its conviction has increased today with the successes of the Qatari youth in all fields, His Excellency said in a speech at the Hamad bin Khalifa University's graduation ceremony of its very first cohorts of science and engineering PhD students and Juris Doctor (JD) law program graduates.

He pointed out that since the 1990s, the State of Qatar has been keen to pay great attention to providing outstanding education. Under the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar continued to put education at the top of the priorities for a knowledge-based economy, based on the conviction of the importance and inevitability of investing in Qatari people which is the most important component of our national wealth to be an active partner in the sustainable development and comprehensive growth of the State and a key contributor to building a prosperous and safe world, he added.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs added that this is reflected in the Qatar National Vision 2030, and the State does not spare any efforts to consolidate this in order to make the Qatari citizen occupy the desired position that they deserve.

"Today, we celebrate the graduates of one of Education City universities, which we owe their existence to the wise vision of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser," he said, expressing his happiness for seeing continued development in the field of higher education in the State of Qatar.

He pointed out that the strength of people is first measured today by their scientific capabilities and then by other factors, and this is what history imposed and confirmed by the course of international relations and invested in by politics, adding that educated youth is the best and real wealth of his country, and that investment in the human elements through education is the best investment.

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the main feature of our world today focuses on the liberalization of economic, investment, trade, financial and services markets and spaces. Competitiveness has become its first title and has led to the advancement of the knowledge industry which can only be realized through the acquisition of the cross-border scientific and technological research irrespective of the population size, the area of the territory, or the capacity of armies.

He also stressed that the issue of work and scientific communication for the sake of development and progress is an urgent need and has become an issue of existence and fate of countries, so as not to fall behind the international progress. He added history taught us that many societies did not develop because they did not instill knowledge in the minds of their children and killed the creativity of its citizens. They were left behind because of illiteracy and lack of knowledge.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said that investment in education, especially postgraduate studies, is one of the main axes of creating the environment and qualified staff to produce knowledge and develop it to achieve economic diversity and other goals, and deal with the new knowledge revolution and the need to combine between science and work.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani pointed that believing in the importance of being proactive rather than mere consumers, the State of Qatar has allocated 2.8 percent of its annual revenues for scientific research.

His Excellency also pointed to Qatar's expansion in the establishment of knowledge, science and culture centers as well as attracting many prestigious international universities as a necessary investment in the infrastructure required for progress and achieving the desired aspirations of establishing a knowledge-based economy.

He praised the vision of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), pointing to the establishment of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in 2010, which is considered as an emerging research university working to contribute to the development of the State of Qatar and the region as a whole as well as to Qatar's vision of having a knowledge-based economy.

As one of the cornerstones of Qatar's domestic policy, education is no less than one of the pillars of foreign policy based on diplomacy of dialogue, openness and development within a comprehensive vision of a world of security, peace and stability, His Excellency said.

"Education is the most reliable way to face challenges, and from that, we can build a culture of peace, face extremism and violence and prevent wars and conflicts that continue to be the biggest obstacles to peace, development and human rights," he added.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs wen on saying: "In Qatar, we believe that deprivation from education is dangerous as it produces stray generations and also a factor in feeding extremism, violence and terrorism. Therefore Qatar's foreign policy, in its humanitarian dimension, has focused on the education sector as a priority of developmental assistance provided to alleviate the suffering of those affected by disasters, wars and crises anywhere in the world, regardless of religion, race or color."

He continued: "In this context, education should not be politicized in the case of differences between countries. Education promotes the values of alliance among peoples, understanding and co-existence and it also disseminates a culture of dialogue among all.

He said that the students of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, who are from 50 countries as well as members of the faculty who are from various experiences and affiliations, are the best proof of this and will have a great role in promoting cooperation between countries.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulated the graduates on their success, which came only from the effort and perseverance exerted to gain knowledge. He also thanked the faculty members for their efforts to graduate these students, who we attach hopes to making a brilliant future for the State of Qatar and to participating actively in the process of comprehensive growth witnessed by the State.

Talking to graduates, His Excellency said believing in God, self-confidence, pride in citizenship, balance between contemporary, authenticity and sincerity in work, spirit and determination, and sincere determination are the ingredients of success. "As you cherish your future to achieve what you desire for work and a decent life, your country also sees in you its bright future and desired progress and you have to join in a positive way and continue the efforts of your predecessors to achieve a brilliant future for yourself and your country in all walks of life."

He reminded the graduates that obtaining a master's degree or a PhD does not mean being perfect in science, while calling on them to continue research to keep abreast of progress. Knowledge has no limits, His Excellency underlined.