RAND-Qatar Policy Institute

The Qatar Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and utilizing human potential throughout the greater Middle East.

The RAND-Qatar Policy Institute (RQPI) is a collaborative undertaking of the RAND Corporation and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development. We are part of the global RAND Corporation whose mission is to help improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND is known for delivering high quality, objective research and analysis for over 60 years.

RQPI Featured Event

The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) holds FORUM 2009 in Doha

The premiere WISE Forum, to be held in Doha on November 16th, 17th and 18th, 2009, will draw leaders and decision-makers from governments, businesses, civil society, schools & universities, international institutions, NGOs, grassroots movements, top-tier media, multimedia, art and other creative communities from around the globe.

Implementation of the K-12 Education Reform in Qatar's Schools — 2009

The leadership of Qatar is greatly invested in its K–12 education reform, Education for a New Era, because it views education as the key to the nation's economic and social progress. This study, one of a number of RAND studies that trace and document the reform process in Qatar, was designed to assess progress made in the first years of the K–12 reform's implementation in Qatar's schools. The study team relied on two complementary approaches — a case study analysis of classroom- and school-level observational and interview data from 16 schools (four traditional, Ministry of Education schools; 12 new, Independent schools), and an analysis of national survey and student performance data — to assess the school-level implementation of key reform components and a key interim reform output: the academic performance of students in Independent schools compared with that of students in Ministry schools.

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Research Brief: Arabic Version

The Reform of Qatar University — 2009

In 2003, the State of Qatar engaged the RAND-Qatar Policy Institute to assist Qatar University, the nation's first and only public higher education institution, with reform of its major administrative and academic structures, policies, and practices. This monograph summarizes that reform effort, which formally lasted from October 2003 through January 2007. The authors recount the motivation for reform, describe the design of the reform agenda, and detail the early stages of the implementation effort. They conclude with a reflection on the reform strategy, including the key elements that made the reform possible, the difficult choices that reform leaders had to make, and the challenges that lie ahead for the reformed Qatar University.

Foreword by Dr. Sheikha Al Misnad

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Research Brief Arabic Version

Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century — 2008

Countries in the Arab region are faced with the challenge of developing their populations’ skills and technical knowledge, or human capital, in order to compete in the 21st century global economy. The study answers three main questions: What are the human resource challenges each country faces? What education, human capital, and labor market reforms have recently been implemented or are under way to address these challenges? What mechanisms and information are used to assess whether reforms are meeting their objectives, and is there evidence of success?

Executive Summary
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RQPI News and Events Archive »RQPI News and Events

Independent Schools Adopted New Curricula and Teaching Methods Early in Qatar's Education Reform —Nov. 9, 2009

As the nation of Qatar reformed its education system from 2005 to 2007, teachers at new independent schools worked together to develop curricular contents that addressed new international curriculum standards in key subjects (Arabic language, English language, science, and mathematics), applied significantly more student-centered teaching methods and provided more challenging learning environments, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

News Release Full Document Research Brief: English Version Research Brief: Arabic Version

Empirical Analysis to Meet the Regions Challenges — October 14, 2009

In this interview for The Foundation, Bruce Nardulli, Director of the RAND Qatar Policy Institute, describes how policy analysis helps governments and other clients make good policy decisions, and looks to the future of policy research.

Revitalizing Qatar's National University (Arabic version) — Oct. 6, 2009

Describes the effort, begun in 2003, to reform Qatar University, including the impetus for reform, the design and implementation of the reform agenda, and a review of challenges that have been overcome and those that remain.

Research Brief Arabic Version Research Brief: English Version

New Director for RAND-Qatar Policy Institute Is Announced — Apr. 7, 2009

Bruce Nardulli, a senior political scientist with the RAND Corporation, has been named the new director of the RAND-Qatar Policy Institute , RAND President and CEO James A. Thomson announced today.

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