Education City

Education City is an educational and research hub located in Al Rayyan Municipality in the Doha Metropolitan Area of Qatar. Developed by the Qatar Foundation, it was established by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to advance education, research, and innovation in the region. spanning 12 square kilometres (4.6 sq mi) property houses various educational facilities, including satellite campuses of eight international universities. Beyond higher education, Education City features research centers, cultural institutions, and community spaces, symbolizing Qatar’s vision of becoming a knowledge-based society while fostering cross-cultural exchange and sustainable development.

Education City المدينة التعليمية
Campus
Top to bottom and left to right: Administration building under construction, the backyard of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, the bicycle path at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Road in Education City, Discover art installation, Latticework at Ceremonial Court
Country	Qatar
Municipality	Al Rayyan
Area
• Total	12 km2 (5 sq mi)
Website	qf.org.qa/education-city

History

Education City was launched by Qatar Foundation in 1997. The same year, Virginia Commonwealth University became the first institute to establish itself on its campus. The city was officially inaugurated in 2003.

Over the past 20 years, Education City has grown from a single school to a multi university campus with students from over 50 countries and an enormous research fund, offering significant opportunities for the advancement of knowledge and research across a variety of disciplines.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, described Education City as a transformative initiative aimed at creating “an Arab-Islamic renaissance project” that serves Qatar and the wider Arab world. Reflecting on its early days, she noted, “In 2005, on the day Education City opened, we promised that tomorrow would be here. And, indeed, tomorrow was made at Qatar Foundation.” She emphasized its role in addressing national educational challenges, promoting innovation, and preserving Qatar’s heritage and identity.

Initially planned as a single university, Education City evolved into a partnership with prestigious international institutions tailored to Qatar’s needs. “We knew that if these young people were given the right opportunities, the world would witness their achievements,” she said.

In the last five years Education City has transformed itself into a full-fledged community adding a 219-bedroom Premier Inn Hotel, a 33-hole Golf Course called Education City Golf Club, Qatar National Library and Oxygen Park.

Institutions

The Liberal Arts and Science Building, which houses classrooms for multiple schools.

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar in Education City

Education City is home to the following local Qatar university and six U.S. satellite universities, one British satellite university, and one French satellite university:

• Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q). CMU-Q joined Education City in 2004. CMU-Q offers undergraduate programs in Biological Sciences, Business Administration, Computational Biology, Computer Science, and Information Systems. With 10 graduating classes, the total number of graduates from CMU-Q is more than 1,000.
• Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q). GU-Q was established in 2005. It offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree in one of four majors: International Economics, International Politics, Culture and Politics, and International History. A total of 441 students have graduated from GU-Q.
• Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). HBKU was founded in 2010. It houses three national research institutes: Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Qatar Computing Research Institute, and Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute. HBKU's academic portfolio is tailored to meet the needs of the local community, inspiring Qataris to continue their pursuit of education with a diverse offering of degrees, Master's programs, and PhD courses. HBKU's educational efforts comprise five colleges and an entity devoted to executive education: the College of Health and Life Sciences, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Islamic Studies, College of Law & Public Policy, College of Science & Engineering, and the Executive Education Center.
• HEC Paris in Qatar was established in 2010. Courses on offer include Master's programs, Summer School, MBA, PhD, Executive MBA, TRIUM Global Executive MBA executive short programs, and customized executive education programs for companies. HEC Paris launched Qatar's first international Executive MBA, and also provides a Specialized master's degree in strategic business unit management. A total of 593 students have graduated from HEC Paris in Qatar.
• Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q). NU-Q was founded in 2008 and offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Journalism and Strategic Communication, and Communication. It also offers students the opportunity to earn a minor in Middle East Studies and a minor in Media and Politics. Additionally, students can earn a certificate in Strategic Communication. A total of 343 students have graduated from NU-Q. In 2013, NU-Q partnered with Al Jazeera for collaboration and knowledge transfer. However, amid disinformation campaigns following Qatar's mediation efforts during the 2023 Israeli war on Gaza, NU-Q ended its collaboration with the network, as confirmed by a university spokesperson. The decision came after U.S. political pressures and unsubstantiated claims linking Al Jazeera to Hamas.
• Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ). TAMUQ's campus was established in 2003. The university offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering. The university began offering graduate degree programs in Chemical Engineering in 2011. Over 1,000 students have graduated from TAMUQ.On February 8, 2024, the Texas A&M Board of Regents voted to close TAMUQ by 2028, citing regional instability and a desire to focus on U.S. campuses. The decision followed concerns raised by a think tank about national security risks and controversy over academic restructuring. The Qatar Foundation called the closure “misguided,” attributing it to a “disinformation campaign” and highlighting the partnership’s significant benefits for both Qatar and the U.S.
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar School of the Arts (VCUarts Qatar). Established in 1998, VCUarts Qatar was the first international partner university to open in Education City. VCUarts Qatar offers degrees in fashion design, graphic design, interior design and painting and printmaking, a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in design. A total of 1017 students have graduated from VCUarts Qatar.
• Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar (WCM-Q). WCM-Q was established in 2001 as a partnership between Cornell University and Qatar Foundation. WCM-Q's innovative six-year program of studies leads to the Cornell University MD degree. A total of 335 students have graduated from WCM-Q.
• University College London opened a campus in Qatar in 2010 and after it ended its 10-year contract, UCL left Education City on June 30, 2020. It used to offer a MA in Library and Information Studies and an MA in Museum and Gallery Practice. A total of 254 students have graduated from UCL Qatar.

Basic education

Other educational centers located at Education City include:

• Qatar Academy (QA) Doha was established in 1995, as Qatar Foundation's first school. It is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Council of International Schools. There are five Qataraadi Academy schools in different locations throughout Qatar, including QA Al Khor, QA Al Wakra QA Msheireb, and QA Sidra.
• Academic Bridge Program (ABP) was established in 2001 and is a rigorous, two-semester general studies program that focuses on English, math, science, and computer skills. Studies in these four areas help ensure students make a successful transition from high school to university.
• Awsaj Academy was established in 1996 and is a K-12 specialized school that addresses the needs of students with mild to moderate learning challenges.
• Renad Academy - was launched in 2016, helping children who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Qatar Leadership Academy (QLA), opened in 2005. QLA follows a US curriculum model, with a full high school program in grades 8–12.

Research

Several centers based at Education City focus on science and research. These include:

• Qatar Science & Technology Park, a facility comprising 45,000 square meters of office and laboratory space. It provides incubation, funding, training, mentorship, and connection to the regional and global tech innovation ecosystem.
• Qatar National Research Fund provides financial support and guidance for original, competitively selected research.
• Sidra Medical and Research Center, a hospital and biomedical research center.

Other centers

• Al Shaqab is an equine center.
• Doha Debates, a public forum for dialogue which hosts international level debate events in its own unique "majlis" style.
• Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, houses the ‘Mathaf Collection’, co-owned by Qatar Museums and Qatar Foundation, which is the world's largest specialized collection of its kind. Oxygen Park is a landscaped open space that incorporates sports, recreation, and heritage in a relatively cool environment. The 130,000-square-metre park was commissioned by Qatar Foundation to be an outdoor oasis for its community and the general public.
• QatarDebate, the national debating organization for Qatar.
• Qatar National Convention Centre
• Education City Mosque, with the capacity to host 1,800 worshippers in its main prayer hall and another 1,000 in its exterior courtyard, it also serves as a community mosque for the surrounding Al Rayyan area.
• Premier Inn Doha Education City is a 219 bedroom hotel located in Doha Education City. It is part of the UK based Premier Inn Hotels group which has over 800 hotels in the UK. The hotel has a Costa Coffee shop, an all day dining restaurant, pool and gym and other facilities. The hotel is seamlessly connected to the tram and metro network in Education City and Doha, and also runs a free shuttle bus to Mall of Qatar and within Education City for its guests.

Transport

Education City offers multiple transportation options to promote sustainability and ease movement across the campus. Qatar Foundation also hosts car-free days to encourage eco-friendly practices.

Doha Metro: Three separate stations of the Doha Metro's Green Line (also known as the Education Line) serve Education City: the Education City station, the Qatar National Library station, and the Al Shaqab station. All three stations were opened to the public on 10 December 2019.

Education City Tram: The Education City Tram is a sustainable transport system offering free rides within the campus. The tram has three lines: Yellow, Blue, and Green. The Yellow and Blue Lines serve the South Campus, while the Green Line connects the North Campus. This innovative system is designed to enhance connectivity and reduce the campus's carbon footprint.

Bus Service: Education City features a bus service with frequent stops across different service routes to ensure convenient access to all areas of the campus.

Walking and Running Tracks: Designated walking and running trails are available in the eastern and western parts of the campus, allowing pedestrians to enjoy the scenic surroundings at their own pace.

E-Scooters and E-Bikes: E-scooters and e-bikes are available for use throughout Education City, with multiple docking stations positioned strategically for convenience and accessibility.

Car Parking: For those who prefer driving, Education City provides ample parking spaces across the campus, enabling flexible and time-efficient travel.

Wayfinding Map: An interactive wayfinding map is available to assist visitors and residents in locating landmarks, bus stops, tram lines, e-scooter and e-bike stations, and trails within Education City.

Controversy

American universities which have established campuses in Education City have been the subject of ongoing criticism of whether it is appropriate to maintain a campus in Qatar, given the alleged Qatari links to state-sponsored terrorism, the lack of freedom of speech in the country and the country's absolute monarchy. In an interview with Gulf News Journal, Herbert London, president of the London Center for Policy Research and a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, said "universities I think have compromised themselves" by having campuses in a country like Qatar where academic freedom and freedom of the press are severely limited.

Academic freedom

In Qatar, the monarchy has absolute authority over all aspects of life; as such, the nation adheres to a strict interpretation of Islamic sharia. Despite the country itself stating that educational and research institutions have total academic and intellectual freedom.

In 2014, Love Comes Later, a book by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, English professor for Georgetown University in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, and Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, was banned by the State of Qatar with no explanation. Rajakumar has stated that she wrote the book with the Qatari “sensibilities of the public culture” in mind, meaning that the book did not include the main three objections: sex, atheism, and politics. Some art that has been displayed at VCUarts Qatar has had to be taken down as some Qatari students found it to be disrespectful to their culture, an issue that reflects the differences in conservatism and social practices that are present at the Qatari campus.

In an article by The Washington Post, Susan Dun, an assistant professor of communication at NU-Q said that some professors do exercise caution with statements, written work, or speeches that may reach a wider audience than just the Education City community.

Everette Dennis, the dean of NU-Q, led a six-nation survey in 2015 that was financed by the Qatar National Research Fund and asked questions such as if people think their country is “headed in the right direction”. While the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia all had answers to the question, there was no data from Qatar as the government blocked the question from being asked to survey participants.

Globalization and National Identity

A study titled Globalization and National Identity in Qatar: Does Exposure to Globalization Lead to Changes in National Identity Across Different Generations of Qatari Citizens? by Shaikha Al Thani explores the intricate relationship between globalization and national identity in Qatar. The research highlights that globalization, particularly cultural globalization, poses challenges to the preservation of Qatar’s cultural traditions while also offering opportunities for modernization and engagement with the global community. especially how younger generations are more receptive to global influences compared to older generations. Given that Education City hosts several international universities, the exposure of Qatari students to diverse cultural values within this globalized academic environment raises concerns about the influence on their sense of national identity,  raising concerns about shifts in national identity. Given Education City's role as a hub for international universities, this academic environment fosters exposure to diverse cultural values, creating tensions between the desire for global integration and the preservation of Qatari cultural values. The study reflects the broader challenges faced by Qatar as it seeks to balance the influences of globalization with its commitment to fostering a cohesive and distinct national identity in line with its Qatar National Vision 2030.

Liberal Education and Cultural Tensions

Source:

Education City, as a hub of American branch campuses, plays a significant role in shaping Qatar’s identity in an era of globalization. Neha Vora's Teach for Arabia: American Universities, Liberalism, and Transnational Qatar examines the complex intersection of liberal education values and Qatar’s cultural and political landscape. The establishment of these campuses is part of Qatar’s effort to transition into a knowledge-based economy, aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030. However, this vision is accompanied by tensions that highlight contradictions between global and local priorities.

The liberal educational ethos of American universities, which emphasizes critical thinking, inclusivity, and academic freedom, often clashes with Qatar’s conservative cultural norms and Qatarization policies. Qatarization, a national policy aimed at prioritizing Qatari citizens in education and employment, underscores the country’s commitment to fostering a workforce primarily composed of its own nationals. This raises questions about the inclusivity of Education City's mission—whether it truly accommodates the multicultural population within Qatar or primarily serves national interests.

Additionally, Vora’s work explores the cultural impact of these academic institutions, which create a unique space where Qatari students are exposed to global values while navigating their traditional heritage. For many, this exposure fosters a sense of cosmopolitanism and critical engagement with the world, but it also introduces challenges in preserving cultural identity. The question of whether Education City promotes genuine intercultural dialogue or primarily operates as a tool for nation branding remains a key point of debate.

Vora also critiques the broader implications of transplanting liberal education into the Gulf. She argues that the narratives surrounding liberalism and illiberalism are deeply intertwined with colonial histories and power dynamics. The branch campuses in Education City, while appearing to champion global ideals, are not immune to these complexities. They operate within a framework shaped by Qatar’s modernization efforts, which selectively incorporate aspects of globalization while maintaining control over cultural and political discourse. This duality contributes to ongoing debates about the role of higher education in balancing global engagement with the preservation of local traditions

Economic and Cultural Concerns

Some Qataris have objected to Western-style colleges, co-ed classes, and large financial outlays in Education City. Discontent about supposed elitism and the differences in funding between Education City institutions and Qatar University (QU), where most nationals study, has grown. For example, QU students have voiced dissatisfaction about the extravagant graduation ceremonies held in Education City in comparison to their small festivities.

Qatar Foundation set aside around $225 million in 2014 to help various Education City campuses run. Recent years have experienced financial constraints, meanwhile, which have limited university financing, resulted in employment freezes, and scaled-down activities. Some experts, such King's College London lecturer David Roberts, who sees the project as elitistic and suggests that these changes reflect less government excitement for Education City under Qatar's new leadership,

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, is upbeat about the future of Education City in spite of these difficulties. Speaking with The Washington Post, she underlined the objective of the project—a knowledge-based society—as well as its importance as pillar of Qatar's growth and development. She still supports financial sustainability and the long-term effects of the initiative since she understood the importance of multiple income sources.

References

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