QCDC launches region’s first Arabic-language postgraduate programme in career development

DOHA: Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), founded by Qatar Foundation (QF), yesterday launched the region s first Arabic language Post Graduate Di...

DOHA: Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), founded by Qatar Foundation (QF), yesterday launched the region’s first Arabic-language Post-Graduate Diploma in Career Development, marking a major milestone in strengthening professional career guidance services in Qatar and the wider Arab world.

Developed by QCDC in collaboration with EduCluster Finland, licensed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), and delivered locally in partnership with Community College of Qatar (CCQ), the programme aims to build a sustainable national pipeline of qualified practitioners and enhance the quality and impact of career development services across schools, universities, and workplace settings.

Speaking at a press conference, Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education at MoEHE, Dr. Hareb Mohammed Al Jabri, said the diploma supports national priorities. “This diploma sits at the heart of one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities under the Third National Development Strategy, which is aligning education outcomes with labour market needs,” he said.

“Achieving that goal requires highly capable career guidance practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of both the education ecosystem and the labour market. We believe this programme will be a major addition not only to the education system, but also to the labour market.” The launch comes amid growing recognition of the need for structured, evidence-based career guidance as education pathways diversify and labour market demands evolve. Experts note that effective guidance systems require adequate capacity, with some international benchmarks recommending one career counsellor for every 30 students.

Executive Director of QCDC, Saad Abdullah Al-Kharji, described the diploma as a transformative national investment. “Today, with pride and together with our esteemed partners, we announce the launch of the Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance and Development as a landmark step and a pivotal turning point in the journey of career guidance in the State of Qatar,” he said. “This programme represents an ambitious investment in minds and capabilities, and a guarantee for elevating the quality of career development through a more integrated system that responds to labour market changes.”