Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University recently celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of Qatari students enrolled in the Sorbonne programme based in Qatar. The ceremony, held in Paris, marked a significant milestone in the educational collaboration between Qatar and France, tracing its origins back two decades to the opening of Lycée Voltaire Qatar in 2006.
The graduating group includes nine students, among them seven bachelor’s degree recipients in law—Ali Al Attiyah, Dhabya Al Kaabi, Abdullah Al Kubaisi, Fatima Al Mohannadi, Fahad Al Thani, Fatima Al Kubaisi, and Hattan Al Mohannadi—and two master’s degree graduates, Al Reem Al Ibrahim and Dana Al Marri, both of whom are advancing to pursue doctoral studies in law at Sorbonne University. This milestone reflects Qatar’s sustained commitment to education as a strategic investment in its youth and future, aligned with the goals articulated in Qatar National Vision 2030 under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The academic partnership between Lusail University, chaired by Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri, and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University exemplifies the bilateral educational cooperation. Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri himself holds the distinction of being the first Qatari to earn a PhD from Sorbonne University in Paris in 1997. The Sorbonne programme in Qatar currently enrolls more than 110 students in a French-taught law curriculum leading to degrees awarded by the Paris-based institution.
Professor Thomas Perrin, director of the Sorbonne programme in Qatar and professor of public law, emphasized that the graduates' achievement symbolizes the fusion of French and Qatari academic and cultural traditions. He highlighted that the pathway from Lycée Voltaire Qatar through to the Sorbonne programme represents a coherent educational trajectory designed to prepare Qatar’s youth for global engagement. Perrin further noted that the cooperation extends beyond education to include joint scientific research and the development of new academic offerings, contributing to sustainable and equitable intellectual exchanges.
Speaking on the broader significance of the partnership, Perrin pointed to Qatar’s investments in educational infrastructure, research capabilities, and human capital development as integral to meeting the rapid technological, economic, and social changes of the future. He stressed that academic excellence, intellectual openness, and adaptability are essential for shaping future societies.
This collaboration between Qatar and France thus serves not only to grant internationally recognized qualifications but also to deepen cultural ties and foster mutual understanding, aligning with Qatar’s vision of human development as a cornerstone of national progress.