Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has expanded its list of approved Arab universities for higher education studies, bringing the total to nine countries and 19 carefully selected institutions.
The move reflects the Ministry’s commitment to offering students from Qatar broader opportunities to pursue their academic ambitions at reputable universities across the Arab world.
Speaking on the latest update, in a Qatar TV programme recently, Buthaina Al Khalaf, Senior Administrative Affairs Expert at the Department of University Certificate Equivalency at MoEHE, highlighted the significance of adding three Egyptian universities to the approved list.
She emphasised that the expansion forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to support students seeking to continue their higher education outside Qatar while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
Al Khalaf explained that the Ministry follows strict criteria when updating the list of approved universities. Among the most important requirements is that the institution must be fully accredited by the competent academic accreditation authorities in its home country.
In addition, the university must hold a strong ranking in recognised international academic classification platforms approved by the Ministry, such as global higher education ranking systems. Academic reputation and institutional credibility are also key considerations in the selection process.
The expansion is seen as a positive step toward strengthening Qatar’s educational ecosystem and supporting students who wish to pursue higher studies abroad. By carefully selecting institutions, the Ministry aims to ensure that students receive high-quality education that aligns with national standards and future workforce needs.
Al Khalaf also underscored the importance of obtaining prior approval from the Department of University Certificate Equivalency before beginning studies abroad. She noted that securing this approval is a mandatory requirement for the consideration of degree equivalency upon graduation, in accordance with Cabinet Resolution No. 3 of 2017.
She said that the prior approval requirement serves multiple purposes. It safeguards students from enrolling in low-quality or unaccredited institutions and protects them from falling victim to fraudulent or so-called “fake” universities. Moreover, it ensures that graduates will not face legal or administrative obstacles when applying for degree recognition in Qatar.
By expanding the list of approved universities while reinforcing regulatory measures, the Ministry continues to balance opportunity with quality assurance. The initiative underscores Qatar’s dedication to academic excellence, transparency, and the protection of its students as they pursue higher education across the region.
