DOHA – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Qatar University (QU) have announced a new phase of institutional cooperation following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at the QOC headquarters. The MoU seeks to expand joint efforts in the fields of education, sports training, scientific research and development, as well as the development of national capabilities and competencies within the sports sector.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Mr. Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Dr. Omar Mohamed Al-Ansari, President of Qatar University, in the presence of  Dr. Khalid W. Bibi, Dean of the College of Sport Sciences at Qatar University, and Dr. Monoem Haddad, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the College.

The MoU establishes an integrated framework for cooperation in talent development and leadership skills, while also providing avenues of academic support for Qatari athletes. These efforts will help athletes balance the demands of their sporting careers with their academic pursuits, while opening broader pathways for personal development and excellence.

H.E. Mr. Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, (QOC), said the MoU represents a significant step forward in the partnership between the QOC and Qatar University, reflecting the two institutions’ commitment to fostering a more informed society that recognizes the importance of sport and physical activity, promoting healthy lifestyles in everyday life, and harnessing research and specialized knowledge to advance the sport and physical health ecosystem. These efforts, he noted, will contribute to enhancing quality of life and maximizing the positive impact of sport on individuals and society.

He added that the partnership opens up broad opportunities to leverage academic capabilities and accumulated sporting expertise, while developing advanced pathways for education, training and professional development. This, he said, will help foster a culture of professional excellence and support the development of national talent equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to drive the next phase of growth in the sports sector. It will also strengthen the exchange of expertise and ideas and create an enabling environment for innovation, in line with Qatar’s national aspirations to invest in people and build a sports ecosystem grounded in competence, knowledge and sustainability.

For his part, Dr. Omar Al-Ansari, President of Qatar University, said: “This memorandum underscores Qatar University’s commitment to deepening its partnerships with national institutions and promoting the integration of expertise and complementary roles in support of the development of the sports sector. We look forward to drawing on the University’s academic and research strengths and combining them with practical experience to advance knowledge and enhance practices in this field, while helping prepare national talent equipped to contribute effectively to the future of sport in Qatar.”