The College of the North Atlantic — Qatar (CNA-Q) and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science (QNCECS) signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday to work together on a number of projects and activities.
The partnership will further the outreach, research, advocacy, and programming of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Sustainable Development in Qatar.
The agreement was signed by Dr Hamda Hassan al-Sulaiti, secretary general of the QNCECS, and Dr Ken MacLeod, president of CNA-Q.
Dr al-Sulaiti announced at the event that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has awarded CNA-Q a prestigious Unesco Chair on Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Sustainable Development.
Dr al-Sulaiti noted that the two organisations have plans to conduct collaborative activities through the new Unesco Chair, the Qapco Professional Chair in Vocational Studies, and the Unesco-UNEVOC Centre for Qatar, which is also located on the CNA-Q campus.
Dr Rupert Maclean has been appointed as the Unesco Chair holder by Unesco Headquarters in Paris.
Dr Maclean concurrently holds the Qapco Professional Chair in Vocational Studies in CNA-Q’s Office of Applied Research and Innovation; and thus, the Unesco Chair will also be located in the same office.
Describing CNA-Q as the premier provider of TVET programmes in Qatar, Dr al-Sulaiti said she could think of no better organisation to partner with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science and to take on the responsibilities of hosting a Unesco Chair in the region.
Observing that TVET is extremely important for Qatar and other GCC countries, Dr al-Sulaiti explained that the Unesco Chair will focus on two areas of importance to Unesco.
“They are inclusive growth, so that the benefits of economic development encompass all sectors of the community, and sustainable development, which seeks to minimise the adverse impact of economic growth and development on the environment,” she added.
“As the State’s premier college of applied teaching and learning, we are delighted to be partnering with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science and it is very fitting that Unesco has granted this Chair to Qatar, and that it is located on our campus, and filled by one of our staff members,” said Dr MacLeod.
“At CNA-Q, our educational philosophy is centred on applied technical and vocational education. The Unesco Chair will conduct targeted research and outreach, and provide leadership to the State of Qatar in educational pathways linked to evolving labour force needs,” he added.