(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Al-Fanar Media).
Access to higher education remains one of the most powerful levers for social mobility, community development, and sustainable impact. Yet, for millions of marginalised youth worldwide, higher education is more of an aspiration than a reality.
Barriers and instability—ranging from financial hardship to geographic isolation, systemic inequities, and limited institutional capacity—prevent countless capable young people from pursuing university degrees. Addressing this gap requires not only inclusivity and financial investment but also a deep commitment to quality assurance and sustainability.
The Education Above All Foundation (EAA), through its Qatar Scholarship in Qatar (QSQ) programme, offers a compelling example of how quality-focused scholarship design can transform lives. In parallel, the National Committee for Qualifications and Academic Accreditation (NCQAA) ensures that higher education institutions in Qatar uphold rigorous standards of excellence. Together, these efforts show how quality higher education programmes and scholarships can empower marginalised youth, foster inclusivity, and generate long-term impact.
Scholarship programmes often fail when quality assurance is treated as an afterthought. Spearheaded by EAA’s Al Fakhoora programme, the Qatar Scholarship in Qatar model reverses this logic by embedding quality assurance during conceptualisation. With hundreds of recipients from over 30 nationalities completing studies in more than 10 higher education institutions in Qatar, this approach ensures that design is rooted in context, responsive to needs, and aligned with long-term goals.
The process begins by addressing foundational questions: defining the problem, understanding contexts, identifying barriers, and determining what success looks like in terms of quality and outcomes. By doing so, scholarship programmes avoid being one-size-fits-all and instead become tailored interventions that acknowledge the lived realities of marginalised communities while setting measurable standards of success.
Scholarships cannot fulfil their promise without equitable outreach and thorough vetting. For marginalised youth, barriers extend beyond financial need—harsh living conditions, complex applications, and lack of digital access all compound the challenge.
EAA emphasises culturally sensitive and accessible outreach through low-tech communication and localised engagement to ensure no deserving student is overlooked. Vetting goes beyond grades to evaluate resilience, motivation, and potential. This shift from a narrow academic focus to holistic assessment ensures scholarships reach those most in need and most likely to thrive and contribute to their communities.
Scholarship programmes are only as effective as the institutions where students enrol. If universities lack facilities, competent faculty, or sound governance, even the most generous scholarships can fail to deliver. Institutional accreditation becomes indispensable.
The NCQAA oversees the quality and integrity of higher education institutions in the country. Its mandate includes accrediting institutions and programmes, aligning credentials with the National Qualifications Framework, and ensuring ongoing compliance. Its standards balance flexibility and accountability, recognising that quality extends beyond teaching to governance, staffing, student services, and institutional culture. This systemic and comprehensive approach ensures scholarship recipients study in environments that are academically rigorous and supportive of holistic development.
At the 18th Biennial Conference 2025 of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), held in May in Tokyo, EAA and NCQAA jointly highlighted “The Role of Quality Tertiary Education on Scholarship Recipients in Fostering Inclusivity and Generating Impact on Society”. They emphasised how quality assurance impacts inclusivity and success in line with Goal 4 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4). Recognising NCQAA’s role, the INQAAHE General Assembly voted to hold the 19th Biennial Conference 2027 in Qatar.
Monitoring and evaluation are often viewed as compliance exercises, primarily designed to detect failures or irregularities. But when done thoughtfully, they become powerful tools for learning, innovation, and improvement.
EAA incorporates transparency through detailed programme agreements, performance tracking, instalment-based funding, and audits. These ensure accountability while fostering reflection and adaptation. EAA’s evaluation criteria, based on OECD standards—relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability—assess not only student performance but also community engagement, employability, and societal contribution.
One of the most overlooked aspects of scholarship programmes is life after graduation. Without continued support, many graduates struggle with the transition to the workforce. EAA addresses this through alumni engagement networks that extend beyond the classroom.
The Qatar Connection component of the QSQ programme offers mentorship, career guidance, and exchanges so graduates succeed individually and contribute collectively to social transformation. Quality assurance thus becomes a lifelong commitment to empowering youth, accelerating careers, and transforming lives.
Scholarship programmes involve many stakeholders—funders, partners, universities, students, alumni, and media. Sustaining credibility requires communication and recognition.
EAA ensures visibility at key milestones—announcements, award ceremonies, graduations, media features, and alumni engagement. Highlighting success and impact stories reinforces accountability while inspiring support. Visibility is part of quality assurance, signalling commitment, celebrating achievements, and embedding scholarships in the broader education ecosystem.
EAA and NCQAA’s experiences underscore key lessons: quality assurance starts at design; outreach must be equitable; institutional quality is as important as programme quality. Monitoring and evaluation should drive learning and innovation, not policing. Impact goes beyond graduation—alumni pathways sustain success. Visibility strengthens credibility and engagement.
Inclusive scholarships emphasising quality assurance and sustainability are more than financial aid—they are engines of transformation. Embedding quality assurance at every stage, from design to alumni engagement, ensures high standards and widened access for marginalised youth. Each investment in such programmes is an investment in dignity, resilience, and a more equitable future.
Stakeholders—policymakers, universities, donors, and institutions—must act collectively to expand access, contribute resources, and design quality scholarship programmes that extend beyond tuition. This includes supportive learning environments, equitable outreach, and sustainable pathways beyond graduation.
For marginalised youth, true impact is realised when they not only succeed academically and professionally but also uplift their families and communities. We can all play a part in this transformation, supporting underserved youth to turn aspirations into achievements.
Amer Dhia is a senior leader with Qatar’s Education Above All Foundation. Mazen Hasna is chairman of the country’s National Committee for Qualifications and Academic Accreditation.
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