Doha: Educators, students, families, and institutions have come together at Qatar Foundation's International Day of Education celebrations to reaffirm the shared role of society in shaping inclusive and future-ready education.
According to Qatar News Agency, the two-day event, held under the theme 'Education is Everyone's Responsibility', showcased the evolution of education at Qatar Foundation (QF) and the guiding vision behind its development. The event highlighted the role of QF's Rasekh initiative as Qatar's bilingual, identity-based education model-a cornerstone of national education reform designed to strengthen cultural and linguistic foundations while engaging with global learning.
The International Day of Education, observed annually on 24 January, emphasizes how education is a basic human right and a shared responsibility. The celebrations at QF reflect its ongoing commitment to engaging the broader community and advancing the future of education, encouraging collective efforts to enhance its quality.
Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, Vice President of Strategic Educational Initiatives for QF's Pre-University Education, emphasized the day's significance: "The International Day of Education is a global occasion to renew our commitment to the right to education as a cornerstone of human and social development, and a shared responsibility that requires coordinated efforts between educational institutions and the wider community."
The event also marked the launch of the Rasekh Accreditation, a new framework for QF schools and international schools in Qatar. This accreditation aims to scale impact, strengthen bilingual education, localize learning, reinforce cultural values, and empower students to present their innovations confidently in their mother tongue. The first cohort of schools nominated for Rasekh Accreditation was announced during the event.
"Rasekh is rooted in a national educational vision that strengthens cultural and linguistic identity through balanced bilingual education," said Sheikha Noof. "Rasekh Accreditation represents a strategic step toward supporting educational quality and enabling schools to adopt identity-based practices that prepare students to contribute meaningfully to their communities and take an active role in shaping their future."
A notable feature of the event was a talk by Professor Roberto Filippi from University College London's Institute of Education, titled 'Building a Multilingual Future: Learning to Thrive in a Rapidly Changing World'. The keynote drew on research from psychology, neuroscience, and education, underscoring multilingualism as a resource for learning, enhancing student engagement, wellbeing, achievement, belonging, and social equity.
The Rasekh Village offered an immersive experience, translating the model's principles into practice. Through interactive exhibits and educational pavilions presented by Qatar Foundation entities and participating schools, visitors explored approaches that promote balanced bilingual education, cultural identity, and localized global learning.
The event also featured a Storytelling Platform, where students, educators, and community organizations shared inspiring educational journeys through dialogue, performance, and interactive sessions, emphasizing the power of storytelling in nurturing values, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Complementary to the public celebrations, the Thunai Conference took place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, promoting bilingual education models that balance cultural and linguistic identity, particularly Arabic, with global engagement through English. The conference gathered regional and international experts to explore approaches that prepare students to thrive in diverse global environments while remaining rooted in their cultural values.
Additional sessions included insights from UNESCO and regional experts on multilingual education policies, heritage-rooted learning, and identity in the MENA region, reinforcing education's role in preparing learners for an interconnected world.
In parallel, the Takaafu (Equity) Conference underscored QF's commitment to inclusive education, focusing on neurodiversity and special educational needs through lectures, panel discussions, and parent-focused sessions led by international experts.