Post-secondary Education in Qatar : Employer Demand, Student Choice, and Options for Policy

Preface iii Figure ix Tables xi Summary xiii Acknowledgments xxi Abbreviations xxiii CHAPTER ONE Introduction 1 Data and Methods 4 Study Limitations 5 Monograph Organization 6 CHAPTER TWO Overview of Qatar and the Policy Context 7 Brief History 7 Population 9 Education 11 Economy and Industry 15 Employment 16 Summary 21 CHAPTER THREE Skill and Occupational Demands 23 Current and Future Needs 24 Implications for Education and Training 30 Patterns of Education and Employment 33 What Do Young Qataris Do After Secondary School? 33 What Do Secondary School Seniors Aspire to? 39 Summary and Key Findings 46 CHAPTER FOUR Qataris Who Do Not Pursue Post-Secondary Education 49 Labor Market Outcomes for Those with Secondary and Post-Secondary Degrees 50 Backgrounds and Attitudes Toward Work and School of Those with Secondary and Post-Secondary Degrees 55 Reasons for Not Pursuing Post-Secondary Schooling 56 Possible Benefits from Acquiring Certain Skills 59 Characteristics of Students Planning Not to Pursue Post-Secondary Studies 60 Summary and Key Findings 63 CHAPTER FIVE Education and Training Provision 65 What Higher Education Programs Are Being Offered? 66 Background on Higher Education Investment 66 Enrollment 67 Fields of Study and Degrees Offered in Qatar 67 Scholarship System and Study Abroad 71 Provision of Post-Secondary Training 76 Do Offerings Relate to Demand for Skills in Specific Occupations/Sectors? 81 How Do Offerings Relate to Demand for Skills? 82 Do Offered Opportunities Differ by Gender? 83 Are There Gaps in the Offerings? 85 Summary and Key Findings 86 CHAPTER SIX Options for Providing New Educational Opportunities 89 Conceptual Approach 89 Post-Secondary Investment Options 89 Conceptual Costs and Benefits 90 Costs and Benefits of Post-Secondary Investment Options 91 Gap: Limited Opportunities for Remedial Course Work Prior to Admittance for University Study 91 Gap: Limited Four-Year Degree Choices for High-Achieving Students in Qatar Beyond Those Offered in Education City 94 Gap: Lack of Master's Degrees in Career-Related Fields in Qatar 97 Coordination and Planning for Post-Secondary Education Investment 100 CHAPTER SEVEN Recommendations 103 Recommendation One 103 Recommendation Two 104 Recommendation Three 104 Prioritization 104 Feasibility Study 105 Conclusion 106 APPENDIX A. Study Approach and Methods 109 B. Post-Secondary Degrees Offered in Qatar 123 C. Training Providers in Qatar 127 References 131