The power of digital transformation in education is becoming increasingly evident, as Qatar University (QU) and Coursera join forces in a multi-year partnership agreement to provide students with access to world-class courses, specializations, and certificates from leading universities and industry educators.
Coursera, which is now one of the largest online learning platforms with 129 million enrolled learners, aims to help QU students acquire the skills and competencies needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market. The partnership also includes initiatives to elevate the skills of graduates and provide a wide range of professional development opportunities to faculty members.
Dr. Omar Al Ansari, President of Qatar University, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “Qatar University is deeply committed to the holistic development of our students and faculty. This partnership with Coursera aligns seamlessly with the university’s vision of fostering a culture of continuous learning and digital transformation in education. We are confident that this collaboration will catalyze our community’s success.”
Kais Zribi, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Coursera, highlighted the crucial role of accessible, job-focused credentials and practical skills training in building a workforce that is both competitive and resilient: “Our partnership with Qatar University marks a significant milestone in empowering students to acquire skills for in-demand jobs at unprecedented speed and scale. Together, we are enhancing students’ career readiness and enabling them to drive innovation, ensuring they thrive in today’s dynamic job market.”
The Digital Learning and Online Education Office at QU is dedicated to promoting participation and confidence in digital learning, integrating digital knowledge into QU’s education system, and enhancing learning experiences with research and innovation. Dr. Mohammad Alsmadi, the Director of the Office, commented on the partnership: “This partnership with Coursera represents a strategic leap forward, aligning perfectly with our vision to promote participation and confidence in digital learning, integrate digital knowledge into Qatar University’s education system, and enhance learning experiences through research and innovation in digital learning.”
Coursera was founded in 2012 by Stanford Computer Science professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, with the mission of providing universal access to world-class learning. The organization collaborates with renowned universities and industry partners to offer a wide range of content and credentials, such as Guided Projects, courses, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
For teachers, this partnership between QU and Coursera can provide access to a wealth of high-quality courses and certifications to support their professional development and ensure they stay competitive in the field of education technology. With the help of Coursera, teachers can now stay up-to-date on the latest trends in ed-tech and gain the skills necessary to create engaging, effective learning experiences for their students.
