Doha: The Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC) has concluded the 2026 Career Counselors Forum, held over two days in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the US Embassy in Qatar, and Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, with the participation of more than 200 academic and career counselors from schools, educational institutions and various entities across Qatar.
According to Qatar News Agency, the forum featured 15 sessions and training and discussion workshops in Arabic and English, providing participants with practical knowledge and tools to strengthen their ability to guide students amid diverse academic pathways, changing skills and requirements, and the rapid transformation of the modern labor market.
Executive Director of QCDC Saad Abdullah Al Kharji emphasized the broad impact of developing career counselors, noting that investing in the forum is ultimately an investment in the quality of decisions young people make about their education and career futures. He highlighted the forum's focus on equipping counselors with necessary expertise, which helps establish consistent and effective career guidance standards and better prepares young people for higher education and the labor market.
Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Maha Zayed Al Qaqqa Al Ruwaili underscored the forum's role as a professional platform enabling counselors to learn from experts, explore the latest practices and trends, exchange experiences, and build professional partnerships. She stated that the forum helps counselors connect with universities and educational institutions, providing them with accurate information to aid students and parents.
She added that quality academic and career guidance begins with proper counselor preparation and continuous development, viewing investment in counselors' development as a direct investment in students and their ability to make informed educational and career decisions.
President of Higher Education at Qatar Foundation Dr. Francisco Marmolejo stated that empowering career counselors equates to empowering dream makers who guide students in discovering their abilities and building their futures confidently.
The forum addressed topics pertinent to counselors' daily practice, such as university admissions, scholarship plans, future labor-market skills, international study opportunities, and artificial intelligence's role in student guidance. Participants engaged with specialists from the education sector, government entities, professional development institutions, and international organizations.
An accompanying networking exhibition allowed participants to interact with representatives from over 30 universities and educational institutions, enhancing counselors' ability to relay this information to students.
The forum showcased the complementary efforts of its partners, with contributions from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Qatar Foundation's Higher Education sector, and the US Embassy in Doha.