Qatar Music Academy (QMA), a division of Qatar Foundation's Pre-University Education, has received the prestigious MusiQuE accreditation, marking it as the first institution in the Gulf region to earn this recognition. MusiQuE (Music Quality Enhancement) is an independent body that establishes international standards for music education, and QMA now joins a select group of globally respected institutions recognized for their educational excellence.
Founded in 2011 and located within the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) in Doha, QMA offers comprehensive educational programs in both Arab and Western classical music. The academy focuses on nurturing young musicians while also engaging in research and preservation of Qatar’s and the wider region’s musical heritage.
Dr. Ozgur Mert Esen, head of Western Music at QMA, described the accreditation as the culmination of a seven-year effort to validate the academy’s unique educational model on an international level. This model integrates Arab and Western music traditions within a single framework, allowing students at various skill levels—from beginners to advanced performers—to study and progress in both musical languages. According to Dr. Esen, this dual approach is a defining strength of QMA and demonstrates that professional Arab music education can be delivered and assessed with academic rigor without compromising cultural authenticity.
The accreditation is expected to enhance QMA’s international profile and network, positioning the academy as a regional leader in pre-college music education. It also affirms Qatar's ability to establish specialized cultural institutions that are firmly rooted in local identity while meeting global standards. Dr. Esen further emphasized that the academy’s success illustrates how cultural authenticity and international quality assurance are complementary rather than conflicting goals.
Taoufik Mirkhan, head of Arab Music at QMA, highlighted the significance of the accreditation for the academy’s Arab Music Department. He noted that students benefit from internationally recognized academic achievements that can facilitate global educational and professional opportunities while maintaining their ties to Arab musical identity. Mirkhan also pointed out that faculty members gain from strengthened quality assurance practices and ongoing professional development, fostering the exchange of expertise aligned with international benchmarks. He underscored the department’s role in promoting Arab music within the global academic community by combining heritage with professional standards.
QMA director Zlatan Fazlić praised the accreditation as a reflection of the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by both students and staff over the years, who have continually strived to elevate the quality of music education offered by the academy. The achievement cements Qatar Music Academy’s status as a trailblazer in the Gulf for music education and cultural preservation.