National student research fairs as evidence for progress in Qatar’s Education for a New Era

During the past decade, the State of Qatar has positioned itself as a leader of educational reform. In 2004, Education for a New Era (ENE) established internationally benchmarked curriculum in Qatari ‘Independent Schools’. Educational reform was to provide an educated workforce and economic prosperity based on a competitive, knowledge-based economy. Visible evidence of this goal are the Qatar National Research Fairs that showcase those students who are developing the skills necessary for a knowledge based economy. This study analyzes the difficulties of implementing national research fairs as a part of a nascent educational reform, and the initial achievements. Through interviews with teachers, students, fair organizers, and written student surveys, data were obtained on the quality and depth of the research skills acquired. As the three authors were the fair organizers and advocates, this research is practitioner-based. The data are primarily qualitative in nature. The evidence gathered indicates that common Western/European assumptions about the value of individual competition, dispassionate rubrics, and learning strategies for a successful knowledge economy are challenged by cultural and religious educational traditions.