Officials from Qatar Foundation and three US universities at the MoU signing event.
Doha, Qatar: Academic collaborations, student mobility, and cross-cultural ties between Qatar and the US are to be strengthened through three new study-abroad agreements between Qatar Foundation and three American universities.
At the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo in Florida – one of the world’s premier events for educators to connect, network, and share perspectives – a trio of partnerships were sealed to pave the way for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US to experience Qatar Foundation’s (QF) globally unique ecosystem of learning, Education City.
The agreements with Hampton University in Virginia, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Prairie View A&M University in Texas – supported by the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC are designed to deepen cross-cultural exchange and understanding between US and Qatar-based students. HCBUs are US universities established before the country’s 1964 Civil Rights Act with the principal mission of educating African American students, with 107 of these institutions now educating students regardless of race.
“These agreements reflect Qatar Foundation’s commitment to building globally connected learning environments and advancing partnerships that promote inclusion, cultural exchange, and academic excellence,” said President of Higher Education and Education Advisor, QF, Francisco Marmolejo who, during NAFSA 2026, addressed delegates on the topic ‘Beyond Borders: How U.S. Policies are Shaping Global Student Mobility’.
“Hosting students from US Historically Black Colleges and Universities for a semester at universities based in Education City will enrich the academic experience for all involved, energizing classroom discussions and deepening global understanding, while fostering a dynamic and reciprocal learning environment that benefits both visiting and local students culturally, socially, and academically. We are grateful to the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC, for their invaluable support toward advancing this important initiative.”
The partnerships are focused on “creating meaningful, student-centered experiences beyond the classroom”, explained Executive Director of Student Services within QF’s Higher Education division, Dr. Abdulnassir Al-Tamimi who delivered a presentation at the conference titled ‘Inclusive by Design: Scaling Scholarship Programs for Underserved Students’, in collaboration with the Education Above All Foundation.
“By welcoming HBCU students and faculty to Qatar, we are offering them an opportunity to engage with our culture, traditions, institutions, and diverse community firsthand,” he said. “At the same time, our students and the broader QF community benefit immensely from the perspectives, histories, and lived experiences that HBCU students bring.
“These exchanges foster deeper understanding, mutual respect, and the kind of global awareness that is essential for today’s students.”
Speaking about his university’s partnership with QF, Robert Pompey, Senior Vice President for Business Operations and Finance at Hampton University, said it “reflects a shared commitment to global education, cultural understanding and academic excellence”.
“The agreement enriches and empowers Hampton University students through study abroad and other international opportunities while advancing Qatar Foundation’s mission to expand and strengthen the educational experiences of HBCU students,” he said.
“Together, both institutions benefit through collaboration, innovation, and meaningful global engagement.”
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Xavier University of Louisiana, Marguerite S. Giguette said: “We are honored to work with Qatar Foundation’s Higher Education division in advancing opportunities that broaden our students’ academic and cultural horizons.
“Xavier welcomes collaborations that encourage cross-cultural understanding and intellectual exchange. We look forward to planning and eventually implementing meaningful learning experiences and lasting relationships this agreement will soon create for our students, faculty, and academic communities.”
And Assistant Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Partnerships at Prairie View A&M University, Dr. Godlove Fonjweng said the partnership between QF and the Texan institution will create “transformative global learning opportunities for our students”, adding: “This collaboration reflects the university’s longstanding commitment to academic excellence, cultural exchange, and preparing students to lead and thrive in an interconnected global society.
“We look forward to the meaningful experiences and relationships that will emerge from this partnership.”
