New Qatari - French educational ties

Mr. Mohammed Saleh Al Mannai, acting director of the Higher Education Institute of the Supreme Education Council recently met a delegation CampusFrance, a national agency responsible for promoting French in higher education institutions abroad.

Campus France delegation comprised the coordinator Mr. Olive Shish Bortish and Mr. Qazafi Bawli, the linguistic attaché at the French Embassy in Doha. Areas of discussion included improving relations and cooperation between the two countries, and exchanging ideas in the field of higher education. Mrs. Salwa Saleh Al Atiyyah, consultant and Mrs. Elham Mohammed Al-Ahmadani, Chief Officer at the Advising and Career Development Center of the Higher Education Institute were also present.

“We are living in a changing world, therefore, it is imperative that we seek for quality, excellence in the areas of higher education particularly in the scholarships programs,” said Mr. Al Mannai. “We are looking forward to forging a partnership with France in education as we already have good relations at economic, cultural and military levels.”

Mr. Al Mannai commended the French education system in the areas of scientific research and technology.

“Furthermore, we are looking to explore all perspectives, opportunities and alternatives provided by French higher education system, in order for us to analyze what best suits our Qatari students and especially whether they meet the needs of the labor market,” said Al Mannai.

The meeting reaffirmed CampusFrance role in urging French universities to visit Doha to brief Qatari students on French higher education systems, facilities, as well as shed light on areas of specializations.

On a similar note the Advising and Career Development Center and the Scholarship Office organized a meeting with the French delegation, which was also attended by Ms. Hessa Al Ali, director of the Scholarship Office and other staff members. The Offices briefed the French delegation on their respective roles, responsibilities. The French delegation provided information on its role and responsibilities, its offices abroad, the types of services provided, as well as information regarding universities admission requirements, registration, areas of specializations, the length of study in Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degree, the tests systems, the locations of universities in France, accommodations services, standard of living, and the fees for each academic program.

CampusFrance is a government agency responsible for promoting French higher education abroad. It offers international students a path to success via higher education studies in France, assisting them from their first inquires made in their home countries to their actual stay in France and ending with the trip home to their countries of origin. The agency has a worldwide network of offices 100 offices in more than 75 countries.