Doha (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) 30 January 2026
– Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education has approved three
Egyptian universities to offer postgraduate programmes within the country. The
institutions – Cairo University, Ain Shams University, and Alexandria
University – received accreditation to deliver master's and doctoral degrees to
meet local demand. The decision supports Qatar National Vision 2030 goals for
educational diversification.
The approvals enable branch campuses or partnerships to
serve Qatari and expatriate students seeking advanced qualifications.
Implementation begins in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Ministry officials confirmed the universities met
international quality standards during rigorous evaluations. Enrolment
projections estimate 2,000 students across programmes in medicine, engineering,
and business administration.
Details of Accreditation Process and Programmes
The Ministry announced approvals on 29 January 2026
following comprehensive assessments of academic standards, faculty
qualifications, and infrastructure capabilities. Cairo University received
authorisation for 12 master's programmes including public health, engineering
management, and international law.
Ain Shams University gained approval for eight doctoral
tracks in pharmacology, architecture, and economics. Alexandria University
secured licences for 10 postgraduate offerings focused on maritime studies,
biotechnology, and finance. All programmes require Ministry supervision and
periodic reviews.​
Tuition fees range from 50,000 to 120,000 Qatari riyals per
programme, comparable to existing international branches. Degrees carry dual
certification from Egyptian authorities and Qatar's accreditation bodies.
Context Within Qatar National Vision 2030 Framework
The approvals align with Qatar's strategy to expand higher
education capacity beyond current 12 international branch campuses.
Localisation targets 70 per cent Qatari enrolment in postgraduate studies by
2030, reducing reliance on overseas education.
Current international students number 15,000 across 250
nationalities, with Egyptians comprising the largest group at 3,200. Ministry
data shows 4,500 Qataris studying abroad annually, costing $1.2 billion.
Partnerships with Egyptian institutions leverage established
reputations and Arabic-language instruction advantages. Similar approvals
granted to Saudi and Jordanian universities in 2025.
Statements from University Presidents and Officials
Cairo University President Mohamed El-Khatib stated the approval
"strengthens educational bridges between Qatar and Egypt."
Ain Shams President Ghada Farouk highlighted research
collaboration opportunities in health sciences.
Alexandria University President Fayed El-Sawy emphasised
maritime programme relevance to Qatar's shipping sector. Qatar's Minister of
Education and Higher Education, Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, noted the
decision enhances
"knowledge transfer and cultural exchange."
Qatar Foundation confirmed logistical support including
campus facilities at Education City and West Bay. Student unions welcomed
expanded Arabic-medium options.
Background on Egyptian Universities' Regional Expansion
Cairo University, founded 1908, operates branches in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait serving 10,000 students. Ain Shams, established 1950, expanded to Riyadh and Manama post-2020.
Alexandria University maintains 25 faculties with
international partnerships in 40 countries. Egyptian Ministry of Higher
Education reports 150,000 students enrolled abroad, generating $2 billion
remittances.
GCC approvals reflect post-COVID demand for hybrid learning
models. Egypt-Qatar education MoU signed 2023 facilitates faculty exchanges and
joint research funding.
Impact on Qatar's Higher Education Landscape
Qatar hosts 17 universities including branches of
Georgetown, Northwestern, and University College London. Postgraduate capacity
reaches 8,000 seats annually against 12,000 applicants.
New Egyptian programmes target shortages in Arabic-speaking
medical specialities and Islamic finance. Hamad Bin Khalifa University integrates
approved research centres.
Qatar Foundation Endowment invested $500 million in
scholarships for 2026 enrolments. Labour Ministry projects 5,000 graduate jobs
in healthcare and logistics.
Student Demographics and Enrolment Projections
Qatari nationals comprise 45 per cent projected intake,
expatriates 55 per cent including Egyptians (25 per cent), Indians (15 per
cent), and Sudanese (10 per cent). Female enrolment targets 55 per cent per
national gender balance goals.
Admission requires minimum 3.0 GPA, English/Arabic
proficiency, and entrance examinations. First semester applications open March
2026 for September intake.
Scholarship programmes cover 70 per cent tuition for
Qataris, 40 per cent for GCC citizens. Private sector sponsorships target STEM
disciplines.
Quality Assurance and Oversight Mechanisms
Ministry accreditation committees conducted site visits to
Egyptian main campuses and proposed Qatar facilities. Curriculum alignment
follows QF-EHEA standards ensuring Bologna Process compatibility.
Annual audits mandate 80 per cent faculty with PhDs, 20:1
student ratios. Research output requirements include five publications per
department yearly.
Joint Egypt-Qatar commission reviews programme effectiveness
every three years. Student feedback surveys achieve 90 per cent satisfaction
thresholds for renewal.
Economic Dimensions of Education Partnerships
Egyptian universities project $150 million annual revenue
from Qatar operations, funding main campus scholarships. Qatar saves $400
million yearly by localising postgraduate education.
Construction of dedicated facilities creates 1,200 jobs
during building phase. Operational campuses employ 400 academics and
administrators.
Qatar Development Bank's $200 million facility finances
campus infrastructure. Egyptian expatriate remittances increase by $100 million
annually.
Comparison with Existing International Branches
Qatar Foundation model hosts US, UK, French institutions
charging $80,000-$120,000 annually. Egyptian programmes offer 40 per cent lower
fees maintaining quality standards.
Texas A&M Qatar graduates 85 per cent employment rate
within six months. Egyptian branches target 80 per cent placement leveraging
GCC alumni networks.
Doha Institute for Graduate Studies complements new
offerings with social sciences specialisation. Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar
provides medical benchmark.
Cultural and Diplomatic Significance Recognised
Approvals coincide with Egypt-Qatar reconciliation post-2021
Gulf crisis. Bilateral trade reached $3.2 billion in 2025 led by LNG imports
and construction contracts.
Cultural exchange programmes facilitate 500 student
transfers yearly. Al Jazeera University partnerships enhance media studies
offerings.
Egyptian Embassy in Doha hosted approval celebration
attended by 300 dignitaries. Qatar Airways expansion serves increased academic
travel.
Implementation Timeline and Next Steps
Campus fit-out contracts awarded February 2026, completion
by July. Faculty recruitment targets 200 professors from Egypt by April.
Student orientation programmes begin June 2026. Ministry
portal launches online applications processing 10,000 submissions monthly.
Annual review conference scheduled November 2026 assessing
first semester outcomes. Expansion to undergraduate programmes considered 2028.
Regional Educational Cooperation Trends
GCC universities host 45 international branches serving
75,000 students. UAE leads with 60 institutions, Saudi Arabia 25, Qatar 17.
Egyptian expansion reaches 12 GCC locations educating 25,000
students. Jordanian universities approved in Bahrain, Oman demonstrating model
scalability.
ASEAN countries pursue similar partnerships with Turkish,
Malaysian institutions. BRICS education ministers discussed mutual recognition
frameworks.
Long-term Strategic Objectives Outlined
Qatar targets
top 20 Asian higher education ranking by 2030. Egyptian partnerships support
knowledge economy diversification beyond hydrocarbons.
Joint research centres planned in precision medicine,
renewable energy. Patent applications target 500 annually from collaborative
projects.
Alumni networks projected reach 10,000 graduates by 2035 contributing to bilateral relations. Ministry evaluates satellite campus model for national expansion.