News
Doha – June 7, 2026
Tarsheed -Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies participated in the Strategic Forum of the Rasikh Learning Community, organized by Pre-University Education at Qatar Foundation in collaboration with Msheireb Museums. The forum witnessed the launch of the Rasikh Accreditation Framework, an initiative aimed at aligning international curricula with the local context while strengthening the Arabic language and cultural identity.
Tarsheed’s participation was a key feature of the forum’s main panel discussion, titled “International Education Between Global Excellence and National Identity.” During the session, Ms. Samia Bishara presented the experience of the Arab International Academy (AIA) in developing an educational model that combines academic excellence with the preservation of identity and the Arabic language as a tool for learning and critical thinking. She highlighted the Academy’s clear vision and the continuous support provided by Tarsheed as an active educational incubator for the project.
The presentation addressed the most significant field challenges facing this alternative educational model, including the growing tendency toward educational westernization, the limited availability of Arabic-language international curricula and resources, difficulties in attracting qualified bilingual educators, and the impact of digital globalization, which often encourages families to favor foreign education systems. At the same time, Ms. Bishara emphasized that strengthening the local context has contributed to a deeper understanding of concepts among students and increased their self-confidence. She stressed that successful international education is one that integrates excellence and identity without placing them in competition, thereby preparing globally minded learners who remain connected to their roots and Arab culture.
The panel also featured a number of educational leaders and experts, including Her Excellency Sheikha Nouf Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Vice President of Strategic Educational Initiatives at Pre-University Education, Qatar Foundation; Ms. Mariam Al Hajri, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships; Ms. Farida Abudan, Head of Education Sector at the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen; Ms. Mary Tadris, Senior Manager for Development and Recognition at the International Baccalaureate (IB); and Ms. Fatima Hassan Fadlallah, Education Partnerships Manager for Qatar at Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Participants reviewed developments in the Rasikh accreditation pathway and its various categories, and discussed the role of international schools as strategic partners in advancing the initiative’s objectives and strengthening its presence at the national level. The session also provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives and experiences on ways to reinforce cultural identity within educational environments. The discussion concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of partnerships between educational and cultural institutions in promoting educational models that combine global academic standards with local cultural specificity, thereby preparing future generations to engage confidently with the world while preserving their identity, language, and cultural values.
The forum concluded with a presentation of the latest developments in the Rasikh Accreditation Pathway, including its categories and three accreditation levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold), as well as the launch of the awareness campaign “Juthoor” (Roots) under the slogan “Towards an Education that Strengthens Roots and Creates Impact.”
It is worth noting that Qatar Foundation launched the Rasikh Accreditation Framework to connect international education with local cultural and linguistic identity. During the forum, the first cohort of schools from Qatar and the wider region joining the pathway was announced. The Strategic Rasikh Forum marked a new milestone in the implementation and expansion of the initiative.
