Doha – Al-Raya website:
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in cooperation with Academic Bridge, a member of Qatar Foundation, announced the launch of a new initiative that allows high school graduates from the literary track to join scientific majors in higher education institutions, after fulfilling the requirements for admission and success in the Academic Bridge Program for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) track, according to the approved mechanism.
The initiative was announced during a press conference organized by the Higher Education Affairs Sector at the Ministry’s headquarters, as part of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s efforts to expand academic options for students and enhance their readiness for future specializations that are compatible with the needs of the national labor market and the requirements of sustainable development.
Under the initiative, students of the literary track can benefit from an accredited academic track that qualifies them to move to scientific specializations, by enrolling in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics program in the Academic Bridge, which provides integrated academic qualification according to international standards, and gives students the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in university studies.
The program focuses on developing academic English language skills and enhancing abilities in mathematics and basic sciences, including biology, chemistry and physics, in addition to computer and programming skills, as they are among the basic requirements for admission to scientific majors. It also offers academic courses designed to ensure that learning outcomes are consistent with the requirements of local and international universities.
Students benefit from the network of academic partnerships that the Academic Bridge enjoys with a number of prestigious universities inside and outside the State of Qatar, as these partnerships allow the academic year that the student spends in the Academic Bridge to be approved within his university path, which supports his transition to various scientific specializations including medicine, engineering, computer science, and science, in accordance with the approved academic regulations and controls.
In this context, Dr. Hareb Muhammad Al-Jabri, Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, confirmed that the initiative represents a strategic step towards enabling students of the literary track to expand their academic options and enroll in the scientific specializations that the country needs.
He said that the initiative is consistent with the country’s orientations towards building an economy based on knowledge and innovation, and contributes to preparing qualified national cadres in priority scientific fields, noting that cooperation with Academic Bridge provides a supportive and flexible educational environment that helps students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for success in higher education.
For his part, Dr. Suhaim Khalaf Al-Tamimi, Director General of the Academic Bridge, expressed his pride in this strategic partnership with the Ministry, stressing that it reflects the shared commitment to providing flexible and comprehensive educational paths that open new horizons for students.
He said that the Academic Bridge Programs are designed to provide students with basic skills in English, science, mathematics and computers, enabling them to move confidently to scientific and other university majors and achieve success in their academic career.
The initiative has set a number of admission conditions, including obtaining a high school diploma with a grade of no less than 70 percent, submitting an English language certificate (IELTS) or its equivalent with a score of no less than 4.5, passing placement tests in English and mathematics, and completing application procedures through the approved admission system.
This initiative comes within the framework of the efforts of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to provide flexible and innovative educational paths that keep pace with the requirements of higher education and the labor market, and contribute to preparing generations capable of competing and succeeding in vital sectors, in a way that supports the achievement of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
