The Qatar Foundation Leads Education City in a Comprehensive Education Response to the Pandemic.

• In Event: How Universities Partnered With K–12 Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Chile, Mexico, Russia, Qatar, and the United States.

Abstract

Due to its unique role as primary driver for innovation and educational development at national level, the Qatar Foundation (QF) became involved in supporting education continuity in all levels of the educational system. Universities established at QF’s Education City rapidly set up activities aimed at transitioning their existing outreach programs into a virtual delivery mode. At the same time, QF entities supporting the government on professional development of school teachers, developed and conducted massive training programs on the use of technological platforms. Main support efforts from QF consisted in online delivery of teaching, development of online resources, professional development of teachers and principals, research efforts in connection with the continuation of education, and, finally, supporting policy at the national level. In addition, a significant number of activities aimed at supporting delivery of education among the K-12 schools established at Qatar Foundation were made available to outside schools and the public writ large. The whole experience led QF to develop a framework for analysis of actions, which it is being used to evaluate effectiveness of interventions, lessons learned, and ways to sustain efforts in the post-pandemic new “normal.”

Author

• Francisco Marmolejo, Qatar Foundation