Doha, April 24 (QNA) – The International Symposium on Education and Skills for a Future-Ready Workforce: STEM and TVET for a Sustainable and Resilient Society kicked off on Wednesday.
The symposium is organized by the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) over two days.
This seminar is being held in response to the decisions made by the Committee of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to establish a forum for studying specialized fields that are required by the current and future job market.
President of UDST Dr. Salem Al Naemi said: “There is a high number of job opportunities available in the STEM fields locally and globally, yet a remarkable shortage of graduates and professionals with the necessary qualifications and developed skills to take on these roles. It is our responsibility now, as educational institutions, to close the gap between future industry needs and educational output. The Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024-2030 has set ambitious targets for the country, requiring 46% of the workforce to be in skilled roles, and 18% of students to graduate in STEM fields by 2030. These are significant goals, and it is more important than ever that we continue working with MOEHE to bolster access to STEM education at UDST, and amplify our Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).”
In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al Naemi emphasized the importance of the seminar and its relationship with the various sectors of work, academic, vocational, and technical education, and its role in filling the shortage of technical and artistic skills, even at the personal level, which in turn is reflected in the academic programs, research, and field training for students and preparing them to align with the requirements of the labor market upon graduation.
For his part, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi said that holding the seminar coincides with the rapid development witnessed by the labor sector locally and globally in light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital and information expansion, and the global challenges it affects in the form of climate change, food security, desertification, and other challenges.
His Excellency said that studies indicate that the number of jobs in the “STEM” curriculum is expected to increase by more than 8% compared to other specializations, as well as an increase in employment in the development of websites and technological programs by more than 20% by 2029, in addition to the creation of new jobs in big data and different software engineering.
His Excellency noted that according to Dell, professionals believe that 85% of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics jobs do not exist yet and that they will be in demand in 2030.
His Excellency pointed out that this for sure has a direct impact on the education sector, and magnifies the role of educational institutions as the primary source of preparation and qualification of qualified human cadres to engage in the work sector following its updated requirements.
In this context, His Excellency pointed out that STEM education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in the State of Qatar stand out as an influential force in shaping the required professional skills that are compatible with these changes and achieve the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030, as these two types of education top the list of educational priorities in the State of Qatar, and the subsequent regulations, governance frameworks, educational programs, and curricula.
In a related context, His Excellency said that the MOEHE is working to support education and training based on the STEM and TVET system by increasing technical and vocational schools, in addition to developing educational paths, integrating STEM subjects into the official basic curricula, linking them, and encouraging technical education and training as well as vocational training, which qualifies students to acquire important scientific and practical experiences that help them enroll in the best universities and gives those who hold technical certificates an opportunity to complete their educational journey and use the advanced professional skills they have acquired to meet the needs of the labor market.
HE the Undersecretary of the MOEHE said that the opening of the Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School (QSTSS) for the academic year 2018-2019 was one of the most important and first transformational strategic projects implemented by the ministry, as a school that provides pioneering education based on the comprehensive application of the STEM methodology through an integrative curriculum that was specifically designed to prepare students to meet the requirements of the twenty-first century. He indicated that the number of students in the school now reached 240 Qatari students, while two batches of 118 students each have graduated, and urgent plans are being developed to open a parallel school for female students.
His Excellency said that UDST comes as a model in higher education to complete students’ various professional and technical paths, along with other leading universities in the country, led by Qatar University with its various programs in this field, the universities affiliated with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Qatar Aeronautical Academy, Ahmed bin Mohammed Military College, and various other universities and institutes in higher education.
His Excellency expressed his aspiration, through this seminar, to unify local, regional, and global efforts to raise the efficiency of the technical and vocational education system in line with the qualitative change in the needs of the labor market, which calls for new high-tech competencies.
HE Assistant Undersecretary for Migrant Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Labour, Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, delivered a speech at the opening session of the symposium, pointing out that the seminar’s topic lies at the core of the goals and visions that Qatar is striving to achieve through its comprehensive reform program, which is guided by the Qatar National Vision 2030. The vision focuses on key areas such as education, healthcare, the environment, migrant worker rights, and the development of the national workforce. These efforts aim to transform Qatar into a nation capable of achieving sustainable development and securing a high standard of living for its people, generation after generation. The vision is built on four pillars: human, social, economic, and environmental development.
She emphasized the launch of the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030) as a crucial step towards achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
She explained that the state outlined several workforce priorities aligned with the national vision. These include protecting the rights of all workers, creating more private sector jobs for Qataris, and ensuring a skilled workforce that can meet the needs of a more competitive, diversified, and knowledge-based economy.
Her Excellency stressed the interconnected nature of these goals, which necessitate strategic planning and investment in laws, policies, institutions, and programs that govern the labor market. These efforts reflect the state’s growing focus on technology and sustainable development, with the ultimate aim of developing a highly qualified workforce to achieve both societal prosperity and global resilience.
Assistant Undersecretary for Migrant Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Labour reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to extensive labor reforms enacted in recent years to further strengthen and protect the rights of migrant workers. The state values the contributions of migrant workers and considers them integral partners in Qatar’s development and progress.
Her Excellency underscored that protecting and promoting migrant worker rights is a strategic choice for Qatar as human development, along with the protection and promotion of human rights, lies at the forefront of the nation’s priorities. She attributed these achievements to strong political will, a supportive environment for comprehensive labor market reform at the legislative and institutional levels, and the technical and financial support provided by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other partners, including international institutions and non-governmental organizations.
In closing, Her Excellency reiterated Qatar’s growing focus on science and technology, and its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She pointed to the state’s continued pursuit of reform programs and its active role within the international and regional community to solidify these achievements and enhance performance through initiatives and partnerships with stakeholders.
Acting Director of Education Management at the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abrar Ibrahim Al Saleem, emphasized that the agenda of this symposium, led by educational pathways to prepare future cadres, constitutes substantial support for a serious launch of academic programs in specialized fields required by the current and future labor market.
She expressed her hope that all topics would receive the attention and support of participants to enhance and activate the prudent march aimed at achieving the desired goals, thereby ensuring prosperity, growth, and leadership for the GCC countries and their people.
HE the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha, Salah El Din Zaki Khaled, stressed the symposium’s importance in promoting science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) education in addition to technical and vocational training in Qatar and beyond, in line with the UNESCO strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training 2022-2029, which promotes youth employment, entrepreneurship, justice, gender equality, and facilitates the transition to green economies and sustainable societies. Khaled told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the symposium’s timing is just right, given the significance of the topics it touches on, expressing His Excellency’s pride in the close cooperation and partnership between UNESCO and the State of Qatar.
His Excellency commended UNESCO’s cooperation with the UDST, hoping that the symposium brings forth many positive returns to new generations, for them to be better equipped to meet the needs of the labor market. Khaled added that the State of Qatar and its educational institutions are leaders in the topics addressed by the symposium, which is in line with UNESCO’s global strategy in that regard. For his part, Head of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Project Office for the State of Qatar, Max Tunon, said that skill and lifelong learning are essential items on the ILO’s agenda, noting that skill development is vital for individuals to land in decent and productive jobs in addition to its importance for the prosperity of establishments and economies. According to ILO global estimates, Tunon said, 63 percent of high-skilled jobs will be occupied by workers who lack sufficient qualifications in 2025, adding that due to the creation of new jobs and industries and the decline of others, in addition to job evolution, an increasing shortage of appropriate skills will occur, for which decisive and immediate action is needed. The Head of the ILO Project Office for the State of Qatar said that the country has in place a clear road map for the future, manifested in the form of the 3rd National Development Strategy, which focuses on diversifying the economy and strengthening priority sectors, for which the private sector needs to be supplied with a future-ready workforce.
(QNA)
