Qatar's Ministry of Education Launches Maritime Scholarship Program for Citizens

Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), in partnership with the Ministry of Transport, has launched a maritime scholarship initiative for Qatari students pursuing careers in marine navigation and marine engineering. The programme was announced at a press conference in Doha on Sunday and takes effect on June 15, 2026.

The scheme has two tracks. Students admitted to the overseas scholarship for marine navigation receive a one-time pre-departure allowance of QR25,000, a monthly stipend of QR14,000, and an annual return airfare ticket, with additional benefits for those enrolled at universities approved under the Amiri Scholarship Programme. The domestic track in marine engineering, offered at the University of Doha for Science and Technology, provides a monthly stipend of QR8,000.

Dr Hareb Mohamed Aljabri, Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs at MoEHE, said the initiative reflects the strategic importance of the maritime sector as one of Qatar's priority industries. Eng. Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Assistant Undersecretary for Maritime Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Transport, said developing national professionals with both academic knowledge and practical skills would help meet the sector's needs. Noora Al Ansari, Director of the Scholarships Department at MoEHE, said the programme is designed to prepare specialists for the maritime transport sector.

Officials said the initiative supports Qatar National Vision 2030 by building national expertise in maritime transport and logistics, a sector central to the Gulf state's trade and energy exports.