Qatar and India: Collaborations with a global impact
2019 has been declared as the Year of Culture between Qatar and India, an initiative directed toward promoting mutual understanding, recognition, and appreciation between the two countries.
As we celebrate this year with cultural, diplomatic, and economic activities, here are a few things Qatar Foundation (QF) and its entities have carried out in collaboration with stakeholders in India to advance their global prosperity.
Awarding forerunners in education
In 2012 the WISE Prize for Education, one of the most prestigious education awards in the world, given by QF’s World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), was presented to Dr. Madhav Chavan, Co-founder and CEO of Pratham, the largest education NGO in India.
Dr. Chavan devised a simple formula to bring basic education to millions of underprivileged children in India, addressing the pre-school education needs of in-school and out-of-school children. The award recognized Dr. Chavan’s contribution to improving the global education landscape.
Promoting Islamic studies beyond borders
Professors from the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of QF, traveled to Kerala, India earlier this year to deliver a series of lectures on Contemporary Fiqh and Comparative Religions to students at Al Jamia Al Islamiya. The professors also offered consultations to the institutional leadership and faculty to support the development of Islamic education in the Indian state.
Facilitating global dialogue
In 2017, WISE entered into a partnership with leading Indian policy think tank Observer Research Foundation, which hosts the Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics. By participating in each other’s platforms, WISE and Raisina Dialogue intend to catalyze the creation of new actionable ideas in education.
Preserving history and heritage
Qatar Digital Library, an initiative of Qatar National Library, collaborated with the India Office Records to preserve and provide online access to over 475,000 pages dating from the mid-18th century to 1951. The records relate to modern historic events in Qatar, the Arabian Gulf, and the Middle East region.
Providing access to Indian students
Lastly, in addition to various partnerships and program, QF also provides education to dozens of Indian students every year, both international as well as Indian residents of Qatar.
Currently, there are 161 enrolled students in QF universities, while more than 450 Indian students have graduated from Education City. These students contribute to the rich diversity in Education City, and the vast accomplishments of the QF alumni body.
