The UK has remained the top destination for Qataris studying overseas, according to the recent data released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency of the UK.
The number of students from Qatar studying in the United Kingdom went up 13% in the 2016/17 academic year, to over 3,000.
The British Council, which plays a key role in providing students in Qatar with information about studying in the UK, announced that it is hosting its annual ‘Study UK Fair’, which began yesterday and concludes today at La Cigale Doha.
The opening ceremony was attended by British ambassador Ajay Sharma, British Council in Qatar director Sam Ayton, official delegates from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, UK institutions and representatives from local scholarship providers and school counsellors in Qatar.
“The UK offers world-class educational institutions, which equip students with the skills and experience to succeed in the global workplace. I hope that as many people as possible are able to attend this exhibition to learn more about the exciting educational opportunities the UK has to offer,” Sharma said in a statement.
Under the theme ‘Experience Life-Changing Learning’, this year’s event is sponsored by British Council IELTS.
‘Study UK Fair’ aims to connect students in Qatar with representatives from 18 popular UK universities, colleges and English language providers who can answer their questions about UK education.
During this two-day fair, students in Qatar will have the chance to find out all they need to know about foundation courses, English language courses, career-based diplomas, first degree and postgraduate degree courses.
With the increasing number of UK educational providers in Qatar and with the recognition of distance learning, parents and students can speak directly to representatives from these institutions and discover traditional and flexible study options both in the UK and in Qatar.
“I am proud to see that the UK continues to be the most popular destination by Qataris for overseas studies. There are many reasons why students in Qatar and across the globe consider studying in the UK,” Ayton said.
“The first is that UK education open doors, wherever you go in the world. Living in the UK, for many students, is a life-changing experience. With so many resources, skills and mind-opening challenges waiting around every corner, you’ll find everything you need to grow personally and professionally,” he noted.
The UK is also the top destination worldwide for English language study and a welcoming country offering unique opportunities to discover the country’s culture and cities, according to Ayton.
“The UK, similar to Qatar, boasts some of the world’s most established and leading higher education institutions. My personal experience of attending a UK institution not only helped to further add to my knowledge but also provided me with a solid foundation at the start of my career,” said Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad al-Thani, managing director of Business Development at Qatar Financial Centre and Board Member of Qatar-UK Alumni Network.
“The importance of education cannot be underestimated. The UK Study Fair is an excellent opportunity for students in Qatar to learn about the many possibilities available to them through higher education in the UK,” she added. “I am confident that the event will provide the ideal platform to explore the many opportunities available to students.”
Admission to the event is free, but online registration (https://qa.edukexhibition.org) is recommended to gain faster access to the exhibition.
Students not able to attend can consult the new Study UK website for information about living and studying in the UK: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/.
British ambassador Ajay Sharma leads the opening of Study UK Fair 2019 in Doha.
