(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
The Peninsula
Al Faleh Educational Holding, the first Qatari educational institution to be listed on the stock market, has succeeded in offering a unique educational model, ranging from kindergarten to higher education, a range of unique educational opportunities, as well as a flexible and stimulating learning environment. Over the years, Al Faleh Holding has offered students the chance to receive quality education and higher education services as well as reach its academic and professional aspirations. Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Faleh Educational Holding, said in a statement to The Peninsula, that Al Faleh has succeeded in implementing an integrated strategy aimed at developing the capabilities of its students at a local, regional and international level, in order to equip them with the necessary tools to become future leaders, which is in line with Qatar's National Vision 2030. She also highlighted the various developments that Doha Academy and AFG College have witnessed as well as its astounding achievements. Dr. Sheikha Aisha also discussed various important topics, including the repercussions of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's decision to close private schools operating inside residential buildings.
What is your vision for Al Faleh Educational Holding, and how has it evolved over the years?
Al Faleh Educational Holding aims to build an elevated educational system that matches the finest educational systems in the world, and contributes to preparing students to face global challenges head on, and to become innovators, artists, consummate professionals and entrepreneurs in their respective fields in the future. There is no doubt that our educational systems are world-class, and have succeeded in providing incredible opportunities for our students, which in turn has contributed to enriching various sectors in the country. We are fully confident that Al Faleh will continue to achieve more exceptional goals, which will no doubt elevate its position in the Qatari market in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and will no doubt continue to achieve stable growth under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir, may God protect him.
Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Faleh Educational Holding
Can you provide a brief overview of Al Faleh Educational Holding, including its history, mission, and key achievements?
Al Faleh Educational Holding is a leading provider of exceptional services in the education and higher education sector in Qatar. It boasts various schools, Doha Academy, Al Wab Branch, Doha Academy, Salwa Branch, and Doha International Kindergarten, in addition, one of the most prestigious and oldest British universities, AFG College in cooperation with the University of Aberdeen. Al Faleh Educational Holding was established with the aim of contributing to our country's educational sector and empowering future leaders in Qatar in line with Qatar's National Vision 2030. Al Faleh was listed on the secondary market of the Qatar Stock Exchange in 2021 and then moved to the main market in 2024, thus becoming the first female led Qatari company led by a woman to be listed, and is also the first Qatari educational institution to be included in the startup market. Al Faleh Educational Holding offers educational programs that focus on developing professional career, across a wide range of disciplines related to enriching the economy and meeting the needs of the Qatari market.
How do you ensure that Al Faleh Educational Holding maintains its high educational standards across all its entities?
Quality education is key to society's development. The continuous development of the educational sector in line with Qatar's National Vision 2030 is crucial to the successful growth of our beloved country Qatar. To build a knowledge-based economy, we must rely on the education sector, in partnership with the private sector. Al Faleh Educational Holding aims to maintain its position as a leading institution that further nurtures our future generations to become socially responsible citizens with a sense of national identity. Al Faleh Educational schools and universities have achieved advanced and substantial growth. The education and learning standard includes an indicator that reflects the extent of schools and universities' interest in the quality of the educational process and its outcomes. We continue work on elevating the quality provided by our faculty members to meet the students' educational needs and requirements, which in turn increases their satisfaction, and elevates the status of our schools and universities.
What strategies have been implemented to foster innovation and excellence in education within Al Faleh Educational Holding?
Al Faleh Educational Holding has succeeded in implementing an integrated, and well-researched strategy that aims to develop the capabilities of our students on a local, regional and international level, contribute to their education and to empower future leaders in Qatar in line with Qatar's National Vision 2030. The schools and universities affiliated with Al Faleh Educational Holding have also witnessed various developments and achievements. These achievements would not have been possible without the grace of God and the continuous support Al Faleh receives from the wise leadership of Qatar, and its ambitious strategy to invest in the human cadre.
How does Al Faleh Education Holding Company plan to expand and grow in the upcoming years?
We are set to open a new postgraduate educational centre in the UK. It will offer Executive MBA and MSc Finance degrees to an international student base in London, and business leaders and those who seek to develop their leadership skills, with programmes scheduled to start in September 2024. Internationally, the company is also in talks to open a renowned British school in Qatar. This announcement follows a recent visit to a renowned British school in the UK where we met with the Head Principal of the school and its senior management, we mutually agreed to in Qatar. The school is expected to launch in 2024.
Al Faleh Educational Holding achieved significant milestones by being the first woman-led Qatari company to go public and the first Qatari educational institution to list on the stock market. Could you share how this achievement has impacted the organization, and what it means for the future growth and development of Al Faleh Educational Holding?
Al Faleh Educational Holding has achieved various milestones, most recently its pioneering move to the main market of the Qatari Stock Exchange, making it the first female led, public company on the stock exchange. Our move from the emerging market to the main market has been an exceptional transition. I believe that the collective efforts of our faculty, students, staff and everyone who is part of Al Faleh have resulted in what I see as a collective win for the team. Looking ahead, I hope that the listing on the main market will enhance Al Faleh's visibility and credibility among institutions and investors. We firmly believe that our move to the main market demonstrates our ability to comply with the strong regulatory standards set by Qatar Financial Markets Authority, which emphasizes transparency in all aspects of our activities. Our growth trajectory has been our focus as we move into the main market, and we have witnessed positive development in our journey towards achieving our goals.
What impact do you hope Al Faleh Educational Holding will have on the broader educational system in Qatar and the region?
We are currently working hard on initiatives that will see Al Faleh expand internationally and we are keen on replicating our success story regionally and internationally. One of our strategic goals is to provide innovative education solutions that are constantly updated based on market requirements and international standards. I truly believe that regional and international expansion is the cornerstone of this goal.
How does Al Faleh Educational Holding incorporate technology and modern teaching methods to enhance student learning?
Al Faleh has embraced digital transformation in education across all its schools and colleges. We embraced digitalization in the delivery of our educational services before the world faced the Covid-19 pandemic, especially at AFG College, so we were fully prepared to successfully navigate that phase without interruption. Digital transformation in service delivery is the future, and we must keep up with it. The success of our efforts confirmed to us the necessity of adhering to this method of presenting information to students, as it enhances their capabilities and confidence in their ability to rely on themselves.
Regarding the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's decision to close private schools operating inside residential buildings, what are your thoughts on this policy and its potential implications for the education sector?
First, I would like to thank the Education Committee of Qatar Chamber for its continuous support and encouragement of the private education sector and allowing it to contribute to realizing Qatar's National Vision 2030, and for its effective contribution to solving problems and removing obstacles facing the private education sector.
Regarding the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's decision to close private schools operating inside residential buildings or buildings not designated for schools, many investors were greatly affected, and it has proven very difficult for about 48 investors who spent a lot of money developing their schools and obtained international and local accreditations to be notified of the closure of their schools. A decision like this acts against the state's strategies that support and encourage the private education sector to contribute to achieving Qatar's National Vision 2030, and to participate effectively in solving problems and removing obstacles facing the private education sector.
Many of these schools, which operate from villas, have obtained their licenses to operate from various government institutions, including the municipality, the traffic department, civil defence, and the Ministry of Education, and have been subject to supervision, testing, and inspections. They have also undergone inspections and accreditation processes by local and international agencies, which indicates their compliance with educational standards and requirements. This continuous evaluation has contributed effectively to the improvement of the conditions of these schools, especially the buildings they occupy to provide a safe and stimulating environment and improve the level of educational services they provide. Therefore, from my point of view, the damage will be grave for investors who operate schools and kindergartens that have obtained international and local accreditations.
Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh concluded her statement by saying that education in the State of Qatar is one of its most important pillars and that of its National Vision 2030, and that the State of Qatar has demonstrated its commitment by taking a conscious decision to invest in education, believing that education is a very vital pillar in the growth of its society.
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