Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has introduced the ‘Zad Al-Mubta'ath’ National Programme, a new initiative designed to prepare and support scholarship students before and during their studies abroad. The programme aims to provide comprehensive guidance addressing the various challenges faced by students throughout their academic journeys overseas.

The announcement came during an orientation workshop hosted by the ministry, where Acting Director of the Scholarships Department, Noura Al Ansari, outlined the programme as a cultural and awareness-raising system rather than a simple pre-departure briefing. Scheduled to commence in August 2026, the initiative will include a series of workshops and practical implementation measures, with further details to be revealed in the near future.

The workshop brought together senior officials, including Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs Dr. Hareb Aljabri, representatives of governmental and partner institutions, ministry personnel, and scholarship applicants. Al Ansari emphasized that the programme involves collaboration with trainers and experts from various agencies to cover vital support areas such as cultural and religious guidance, financial literacy, personal safety, digital security, mental health, social adaptation, and academic success.

Central to the initiative is a dedicated online platform that will enable students to create personal profiles, engage directly with advisors and specialists, and access ongoing support and information throughout their studies. Al Ansari also noted that scholarship applications remain open, with a significant interest seen in technology-related fields, especially Computer Engineering and Computer Science, across both domestic and international scholarship streams.

Consultant Dr. Abu Bakr Musa Abdullah explained that the programme was developed based on a thorough review of the difficulties previously faced by scholarship recipients. Its approach centers on three pillars: prevention, empowerment, and response. It aims to equip students with essential knowledge and skills prior to departure, provide necessary resources for academic and personal success, and maintain continuous support throughout their time abroad.

Dr. Abdullah detailed five main tracks underpinning the programme: religious and cultural guidance; mental health and social support; safety and digital security; financial literacy; and academic excellence. The religious and cultural component addresses issues related to faith and engagement with diverse communities, while the mental health track focuses on challenges such as homesickness and cultural integration.

The safety and digital security track provides training on personal data protection, cybersecurity, responsible use of social media, and compliance with local laws in host countries. The financial literacy component aims to enhance students’ understanding of money management, and the academic track offers skills such as time management and research techniques, alongside access to academic advising.

Additionally, the programme will feature a confidential support and advising hotline, a digital student portal with educational resources and frequently asked questions, as well as important contacts in study destinations. An online community for scholarship students will facilitate peer interaction, and the ministry plans regular visits to students’ host institutions to ensure sustained support.

Dr. Abdullah explained that the overall goal of the programme is to increase scholarship students’ preparedness, promote academic achievement, encourage psychological and social well-being, and develop leadership qualities. These efforts align with the broader objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 by cultivating nationally qualified talent capable of contributing to the country’s long-term development.

The orientation workshop concluded with a panel discussion involving Dr. Aljabri, Al Ansari, Dr. Abdullah, and preacher Mohammed Yahya Tahir, who responded to student questions concerning the challenges of studying abroad and the ways in which the programme’s services can be utilized.