QU, QFA, Aspire Zone and SC to establish an academic program for talented athletes

Qatar University (QU) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar Football Association (QFA), Aspire Zone, and Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy to establish and implement an academic program for talented athletes.

The MoU was signed by QU President Dr Hassan Al Derham, QFA President H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary General Mr Hassan Bin Abdullah Al Thawadi, and Aspire Zone CEO Mr Mohammad Khalifa Al-Suwaidi in the presence of leaders and officials from QU, QFA, Aspire Zone, and Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy as well as QU faculty and staff. The MoU aims to support and develop talented athletes, and to drive forward the spirit of innovation in sports in Qatar. The terms of the MoU include collaboration to establish, implement and support an academic program for talented athletes and football professionals in Qatar. This will contribute to building the future generation of football professionals and to modelling the coming stars in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar and beyond.

Commenting on the MoU, Dr Hassan Al Derham said: “We are pleased to sign this MoU with Qatar Football Association (QFA), Aspire Zone, and Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, which will contribute to building national capacities for the sports sector and to fulfilling the needs of the labor market in the field of sports. This MoU is aligned with Qatar’s continuous efforts to organize and host world sports championships, and with QU’s commitment to build collaborations and strengthen links with local institutions to advance and support the sports sector and to provide the labor market with talented athletes based on the guidance of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the relevant parties.” Dr Al Derham noted that this MoU will contribute to establishing a Bachelor of Sports Education at QU following approval by the Board of Regents. He also noted that a Steering Committee comprising members from the partnering institutions will establish the admission requirements for the new program.” 

H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani said: “Our partnership with Qatar University will have a positive impact on the sports sector in Qatar. This MoU will contribute to uplifting the talents of athletes while ensuring their stability on the academic and artistic levels, which will be for the benefit of their sporting club and national team. The new program aligns with the one provided by Aspire Academy for high school students. It offers football players the opportunity to continue their education while in Qatar. It also provides talented athletes with the chance to join Qatar University, which is one of the leading universities in the region.”

Mr Hassan Bin Abdullah Al Thawadi said: “This new MoU will provide athletes with an unparalleled educational opportunity to develop and grow their managerial skills in the sports industry. In spirit of the partnership, through Josoor Institute we will provide the athletes the opportunity to attend executive education, professional development workshops and certificate and diploma programs that are currently being offered by Josoor Institute, a center of excellence developed by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy. In the build up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, we are committed to building the human capital of the sports and events industries by empowering the talents of the region and equipping them with the skillset they need to unleash their full potential and to help create a lasting legacy for the region.”

Mr Mohammad Khalifa Al-Suwaidi said: “We are pleased to partner with Qatar University, Qatar Football Association (QFA), and Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy. This MoU will contribute to upholding the academic learning of talented athletes, especially football players, in Qatar by investing all capacities and competencies to shape a sporting generation able to promote Qatar’s reputation in world sports championships.”