University of Doha for Science and Technology has proudly issued the Doha Declaration on Education and Skills for Future Jobs, following the successful organization of the International Symposium on Education and Skills for a Future-Ready Workforce. The event saw the development of a robust “Call for Action” plan by the Technical Committee for Developing Programs for Current and Future Jobs, detailing comprehensive recommendations on academic initiatives and related education policies, while also establishing a framework to link government, academia and industry in fostering a sustainable and resilient workforce for the present and the future.
The Call for Action includes eight strategic directions that represent a holistic roadmap for GCC countries to embrace and advance STEM/TVET education within these ambitious nations. The plan aims to:
Promote STEM education and TVET in higher education planning; Institutionalize industry-academia linkages and partnerships; Advance policy development; Enhance accessibility and attractiveness of STEM education and TVET; Foster international collaboration; Leverage technologies for learning; Invest in teacher and educator development; and Accelerate reskilling and upskilling initiatives.
Additionally, the Committee issued several key statements following the Symposium including highlighting the crucial role of STEM and TVET in solving global issues like sustainability, digital technology, and climate change, calling for continuous learning systems to upskill the workforce and stress the GCC nations' goals to become knowledge-based, sustainable economies through education, placing emphasis on strategic areas like energy sustainability and health to leverage education for addressing global challenges. The statements also commend GCC’s joint educational initiatives aimed at increasing the skilled workforce to address the challenges of current and future jobs.
Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, President of UDST commented “As the first and only national applied university in Qatar, we are proud to lead the efforts in advancing STEM Education and TVET in the State of Qatar. We’re pleased to say that many of our partnerships, initiatives, and academic planning strive to satisfy the action plan put in place by the Committee, for example, in the previous academic year, we launched a Postgraduate Diploma in STEM/TVET Education, allowing bachelor degree holders to embark on rewarding careers as STEM/TVET educators while fulfilling the shortage of qualified and passionate teachers in the field. We look forward to more fruitful collaborations with higher education institutions, government entities and the industry both in Qatar as well as different GCC nations.”
The Symposium was held under the patronage of Her Excellency Buthaina Bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of Education and Higher Education of the State of Qatar, in collaboration with Ministry of labor, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Higher Education Committee, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the International Labour Organization (ILO). UDST was honored to undertake the organization of the landmark symposium as part of the decision of the committee of Presidents and Rectors of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the GCC at its 26th meeting.
The Doha Declaration and the symposium represent a significant step towards future-proofing the workforce in an increasingly technology-focused world. By prioritizing STEM education and TVET, fostering industry-academia partnerships, and advancing policy development, UDST is poised to play a key role in the GCC countries' efforts to build a resilient and innovative workforce capable of addressing both current and future challenges.
