The Ministry of Sports and Youth held the launch ceremony yesterday evening for the “Leaders of the Nation” program, which also celebrated the graduation of the 2025 cohort. The initiative was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Interior (Community Police), the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Qatar Scientific Club, and the Ministry of Municipality, with sponsorship from Qatari Diar.

The ceremony was attended by a number of leaders, officials, and representatives of partner entities, underscoring the importance of national programs aimed at empowering youth and building future leaders.

Nawaf Mohammed Al Mudahka, Head of Simaisma Youth Center, affirmed that the upcoming edition of the “Leaders of the Nation” program will mark a qualitative turning point. It will include an advanced package of programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and a “Junior Investigator” initiative, in addition to specialized leadership and life skills development programs, in cooperation with relevant partners.

He praised the support provided by Qatari Diar as the program’s sponsor, noting that such backing reflects partners’ belief in youth and their ability to contribute effectively to community development and to become the nation’s future leaders. He also highlighted the formation of a dedicated committee to communicate with parents in order to better understand the needs of boys and girls participating in the 2026 edition, thereby strengthening integration between families and the program and ensuring that content development aligns with community aspirations.

The program aims to empower youth and build an aware generation equipped with skills, knowledge, and values, capable of keeping pace with modern developments and contributing actively to national service. He explained that the program will run for one year and focus on achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, in light of the country’s need for national cadres and leaders in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

The program will be implemented in cooperation with the Qatar Scientific Club and will target school students to familiarize them with work environments in cybersecurity. Approximately 130 students are expected to participate. The curriculum will include workshops and lectures, with 60% dedicated to practical application, reflecting the nature of AI and cybersecurity fields.

For her part, Fatima Al Obaidli, Assistant Director of the Schools and Students Affairs Department and Strategic Director of the “Tanshe’a” Initiative at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, confirmed that the Ministry’s participation comes within the framework of the Tanshe’a initiative, which seeks to prepare Qatari youth to become national leaders through activities, workshops, and lectures in cooperation with various state entities.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, she emphasized that focusing on youth contributes positively to the nation as a whole, noting the importance of engaging students in activities aligned with their interests, abilities, and orientations. In light of globalization and external influences that may negatively impact young minds, she explained that such programs aim to strengthen national identity and foster a sense of responsibility among youth, preparing them to serve their country as constructive and positive contributors.

She added that “Leaders of the Nation” is one of the programs established under the Tanshe’a initiative through joint cooperation between the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The program is jointly planned in terms of strategy, target numbers, age groups, and geographic areas, with invitations sent to selected schools. She noted that the initiative has successfully attracted students from Doha, not only from Al Daayen and Simaisma.