State of Qatar celebrates National Day

West Bay in Doha, Qatar / Courtesy of Embassy of Qatar in Seoul

The State of Qatar celebrates its National Day on Dec. 18 each year. The occasion reaffirms the nation’s identity and history and commemorates the values upon which the state was founded. It also serves as an opportunity to honor the men and women who contributed to building the country and to reflect on the efforts of Qatar’s founders, who endured great hardships and paid a high price to unify their nation.

Qatar National Day marks a defining moment in the country’s modern history and offers a moment for reflection on the principles of unity, resilience and progress that continue to shape the nation. It underscores a shared sense of belonging and pride among citizens and residents alike, while reaffirming a collective commitment to the country’s future.

The National Day slogan for 2025, “With you it rises, and from you it awaits,” is inspired by the words of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, delivered to youth during his visit to Qatar University in 2016. The slogan represents a renewed call to continue the path of development and service, grounded in the firm belief that nation-building goes hand in hand with building the individual through education.

The theme reflects the leadership’s emphasis on empowering younger generations as partners in national development. It highlights the central role of education, responsibility and participation in shaping Qatar’s future and reinforces the idea that progress is a shared endeavor rooted in human capital.

Education in Qatar

Designing creative and inspiring schools that produce independent, confident and self-reliant critical thinkers is driving education in Qatar. This push to build a world-class educational system aligned with international standards is crucial to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 and transforming the country into an advanced society capable of achieving sustainable development.

HH The Aqtari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani / Courtesy of Embassy of Qatar in Seoul

Education is widely recognized as a cornerstone of Qatar’s long-term development strategy. The leadership has made substantial investments in the sector, allocating approximately 22 billion Qatari riyals ($6.04 billion) to education in 2020 alone. These investments reflect a commitment to ensuring access to quality education and fostering innovation and excellence across all levels of learning.

Holding teachers to high standards is at the heart of successful schools. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education recruits, licenses and supports teachers in a variety of ways, including through extensive training programs. The ministry has invested significant resources in teacher development, recognizing that educators play a pivotal role in shaping student outcomes.

Qatar remains committed to the continuous improvement of education by incorporating best practices and standards from around the world, while ensuring that these improvements are compatible with Qatari values and culture. This balanced approach allows the country to benefit from global expertise while preserving its national identity.

Higher education

Qatar has a well-established system of higher education that continues to grow and evolve. Colleges and universities in the country serve not only Qatari citizens and residents but also students from across the region, positioning Qatar as a regional hub for higher learning.

Qatar University stands as the country’s flagship public research university. Alongside it are 27 other public and private colleges and universities, including branches of world-renowned higher education institutions supported by Qatar Foundation.

Qatar Foundation is a not-for-profit organization where centers and programs focused on education, research and innovation, and community development intersect for the benefit of Qatar and the wider world. Through its integrated ecosystem, the foundation addresses national and global challenges while empowering individuals to shape both the present and the future.

Education City, Qatar Foundation’s flagship initiative, spans more than 12 square kilometers and hosts branch campuses of some of the world’s leading educational institutions, a homegrown university and a range of research, academic and community centers. Together, these institutions make Education City a unique model of academic and research excellence.

Qatar Foundation’s higher education ecosystem includes seven leading international universities and one national university: Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar; Texas A&M University at Qatar; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar; Hamad Bin Khalifa University; Northwestern University in Qatar; HEC Paris in Doha; Georgetown University in Qatar; and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar.

These institutions contribute to multidisciplinary education and research, enabling breakthroughs that benefit Qatar and the global community.

E-learning and digital transformation

E-learning is one of the most important tools supporting the teaching process in Qatar, transforming education from a lecture-based approach into one centered on creativity, interaction, skill development and effective learning. This shift supports students’ acquisition of educational competencies and 21st-century skills while enhancing productivity.

The national e-learning strategy aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which calls for investing in human capital by creating a world-class educational system that meets societal needs and responds to the evolving demands of the labor market.

In early 2023, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education launched the National E-Learning Strategy. Through its initiatives, the ministry aims to empower students, enhance digital skills and stimulate curiosity about digital learning approaches. The strategy is designed to facilitate students’ transition to tertiary education equipped with modern technology.

It also seeks to provide teachers with the digital and pedagogical skills needed to support students in achieving learning outcomes and developing 21st-century competencies. This approach underscores the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning in an increasingly digital world.

The strategy’s purpose is articulated in its statement: “Effect a qualitative leap in adopting advanced e-learning approaches and modern educational technologies to improve learning outcomes and ensure the provision of e-learning fundamentals to all stakeholders in the educational process.”

Qatar–Korea bilateral relations

This year’s National Day celebration comes as relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Korea have been elevated to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The milestone reflects the depth of ties built over the years and the qualitative progress achieved across political, economic and cultural cooperation.

The development embodies a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration, expanding the scope of joint initiatives and consolidating a long-term partnership that serves mutual interests and supports prosperity in both countries.

HE Khalid bin Ebrahim Al-Hamar, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Korea / Embassy of Qatar in Seoul

Initially centered on energy and construction, the bilateral relationship has evolved significantly. Qatar has played a pivotal role in securing Korea’s liquefied natural gas needs, while Korean companies have contributed to major infrastructure projects in Qatar. In recent years, cooperation has expanded into advanced technology, communications and digital transformation.

Trade and investment flows have increased, with Korean firms participating more actively in Qatar’s development projects. Educational and academic cooperation has also grown through partnerships between universities and research institutions, as well as increased student and faculty exchanges.

In the health sector, collaboration has advanced through the exchange of medical expertise and the development of joint initiatives in public health and scientific research. Cooperation has further expanded to culture, arts and sports, strengthening people-to-people ties and mutual understanding.

The partnership also encompasses food security, clean energy and environmental sustainability, with joint initiatives designed to address future challenges and align with global transformations. Both sides have expressed a shared vision for deepening cooperation and building a resilient, forward-looking relationship.

Foreign policy of the State of Qatar

Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, the country has adopted an open economy that relies heavily on international trade and global economic interdependence. International cooperation plays a central role in national development across multiple sectors.

Qatar’s approach to international cooperation focuses on strengthening national institutions, modernizing systems and supporting progress toward national and international development goals. It includes collaboration on human rights, transparency and anti-corruption efforts, as well as access to international expertise and best practices.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs leads Qatar’s international cooperation policy, coordinating with local and international governmental and nongovernmental bodies. The strategy aligns with the three pillars of sustainable development — social, economic and environmental — in line with the U.N. 2030 Agenda.

Qatar maintains partnerships with international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as specialized U.N. agencies including the United Nations Development Programme, UNESCO and the International Labour Organization. These partnerships support national development and capacity-building efforts.

International cooperation also facilitates academic and research partnerships in areas such as energy, environment, computing, biomedical sciences and social research. Qatar provides scholarships and support for students from Arab, Islamic and low-income countries, as well as countries affected by conflict.

Humanitarian assistance remains a key component of Qatar’s foreign policy, focusing on developing and least developed countries and supporting Sustainable Development Goal 17 on global partnerships. These efforts contribute to strengthening institutions, promoting stability and supporting international peace and security.

Qatar’s mediation efforts

Qatar enjoys a global reputation as a neutral, reliable and responsible mediator in international conflicts. This role reflects a constitutional commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes, as outlined in Article 7 of Qatar’s Constitution.

Qatar’s mediation efforts aim to promote conflict management and peaceful solutions at both inter-state and intra-state levels, involving state and non-state actors. In 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs established new ministerial roles to enhance diplomatic engagement in mediation efforts.

Since 2004, Qatar has facilitated ceasefires, restored diplomatic relations, supported hostage releases and prisoner exchanges, and contributed to peace agreements and humanitarian outcomes in regional and global conflicts.

Qatar promotes inclusive dialogue processes and supports mediation initiatives that engage marginalized groups, including women, refugees and internally displaced persons. Partnerships in mediation are pursued only when all parties consent to involvement.

Through these efforts, Qatar continues to play an active role in advancing dialogue, stability and peace on the international stage.

HE Khalid bin Ebrahim Al-Hamar is the ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Korea