Minister of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research Mohammad Abu Qudais and Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFD) Khalifa Jassim Al Kuwari signed a memorandum of understanding, under which the Qatari fund will offer a grant worth $6.7 million to support the education sector in Jordan.

The grant, in cooperation with Qatari Education Above All Foundation (EAA), aims to enhance young people’s educational capacities, according to a Planning Ministry statement.

The signing ceremony was attended by  Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nasser Shraideh, Qatar’s Ambassador to Jordan Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Bin Jassim Al Thani and Talal Al Hothal, director of EAA's Al Fakhoora programme.

The programme aims to support Jordanian students and help them pursue their education in technical and applied specialisations. The programme will also provide support for a number of the refugee students in the Kingdom.

The programme, to be implemented by Luminus Technical University College, targets 800 Jordanian and refugee students, the statement said, adding that it includes bachelor’s and diploma programmes.

Lauding the Jordanian-Qatari ties, Shraideh voiced keenness on furthering  relations with the Gulf country in various fields, expressing the Kingdom’s appreciation of EAA’s efforts.

The minister also highlighted Qatar’s support for the government’s development efforts, noting that Qatar Charity recently offered 10 million Qatari riyals to support the Kingdom’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The QFD also offered a $4.2 million-grant to support the Ministry of Health’s efforts amid the pandemic, he added.

Kuwari said that the new agreement aims to boost the educational capabilities of young people through the Qatar Grants Programme’s Youth Scholarship Programme, noting that the grants cover tuition fees for students.