Qatar Foundation (QF) has launched the accreditation framework for its Rasekh programme, an initiative designed to strengthen cultural identity, promote the Arabic language and align international education with local values while maintaining global academic standards.
The announcement was made during the Rasekh Strategic Forum held at Multaqa in Education City, where Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Vice-President of Strategic Educational Initiatives at QF’s Pre-University Education (PUE), outlined the programme’s objectives and future plans.
The event brought together education leaders, representatives of international schools, and local and global partners. Among those attending were QF Chief Executive Officer Yousif Al Naama and PUE President Abeer Al Khalifa.
Rasekh aims to help international schools integrate local culture, language and values into their educational models while continuing to meet international academic benchmarks. The framework encourages schools to connect learning with community needs, strengthen students’ sense of identity and expand the role of Arabic as a language of knowledge and instruction.
Speaking at the forum, Sheikha Noof described Rasekh as an important step in the development of international education in Qatar.
“Rasekh represents a practical step forward in the development of international education in Qatar,” she said. “It looks at educational quality from a broader perspective, encompassing not only what students learn, but how they perceive themselves within that learning, and their connection to their language, environment and values.”
She added that the framework has been designed to support schools in applying international standards within a local context, creating an educational experience that is closely connected to students’ lives and communities.
As part of the initiative’s next phase, Qatar Foundation also launched the “Roots” awareness campaign. The campaign seeks to promote the programme’s message through themes focused on strengthening the Arabic language, instilling values and nurturing cultural identity. Its slogan, “Toward an Education That Deepens Roots and Creates Impact,” reflects the programme’s broader goals.
The forum featured presentations and panel discussions involving education experts from international organisations, including UNESCO, the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge University Press and Assessment. Discussions focused on how schools can maintain academic excellence while strengthening local relevance and cultural connections.
Qatar Foundation also introduced the first group of schools participating in the Rasekh programme. The inaugural cohort includes QF schools, Al Maha Academy for Boys, Al Maha Academy for Girls, Al Jazeera Academy, Arab International Academy in Doha, Arab International Academy in Lusail, Amman Baccalaureate School in Jordan and Houssam Eddine Hariri High School in Lebanon.
According to organisers, these institutions will help develop practical models demonstrating how international schools can adopt the Rasekh framework to enhance educational quality, reinforce school identity and improve student outcomes across the region.
