Professional Toastmasters Club - Qatar Sports & Education

Qatar's oil and gas fields are not its only resource. Qatar is gaining growing recognition and acclaim for its involvement in sport, education and tourism.

Qatar has hosted the Islamic Conference Summit, the World Trade Organisation Conference, the Football World Cup -for under-19s, the Athletics Grand Prix, the Tennis Open, the Squash Tournament, the Golf Masters Tournament and the 3rd West Asian Games, in addition to many other sporting, cultural and educational events.

However, nothing compares to the enormity of the 15th Asian Games which took place in Doha in December 2006.

Formal education in the State of Qatar started in 1952. Since then the comprehensive educational policy has developed on solid bases: adherence to the heritage of the Islamic nation and its moderate character as well as commitment to the development of educational curricula and systems and constantly endeavors to benefit from modern and technological achievements and new educational experiments.

Educational development has accelerated to involve both males and females in every community in the country at all educational levels up to the university level.

The government has released an initiative to develop general education in the State of Qatar under the slogan "Education for A New Era" aimed to provide the best education for Qataris to prepare them to meet the needs of economic and social development.

The State of Qatar supports the establishment of private educational institutions of various kinds and provides continuous support in legal and supervision aspects.

Qatar has positioned itself as an educational haven following the inauguration of Education City on 13 October 2003. It spans 7 million sqm and accommodates world-class universities such as Weill Cornell Medical College, Texas A&M University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Georgetown University, Carnegie Mellon and the RAND Policy Institute.

This is the first time these institutions have established campuses outside the United States. Education City is expected to be home to more top universities, in addition to a science park, a museum, a conference and exhibition centre and other facilities.

Besides, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a non-profit private institution established in 1995 on the initiative of H.H. the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. H.H. Sheikha Mouza Bint Nasser Al-Misnad, the Emir's Consort, chairs the foundation and guides it to implement its objectives and programs.

To achieve its objectives, Qatar Foundation has set up a number of affiliated organs which are independent but are all linked through the Foundation in the fields of education, health and community development.

Qatar's tourism industry is steadily gaining momentum. The building of new world class hotels around Doha is an indication of how many tourists are expected in the coming years.

Qatar has already signed a USD5 billion contract to build a new airport in Doha. The airport will be one of the biggest in the world with an annual capacity of 50 million passengers. The strengthening of the national airline and easing of visa entry rules are some of the steps Qatar is taking towards opening up its shores to the world.