This proposal insists on the importance of embeddedness and local context in the development of entrepreneurship. It argues that the nexus between entrepreneurship education, behaviors and experiences of entrepreneurs, and the moral bases of a society (the impact of cultural traits, norms, and values) have been understudied. Hence, the project will, first, explore the modalities, scope and gaps of entrepreneurship education within the Qatari ecosystem. Second, it aims to incorporate local social, moral, traditional, cultural and sustainability aspects of entrepreneurship in growing the next generation of entrepreneurs. The deliverables will be shared with education policy-makers and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the long-term, effective implementation of research findings in versatile ways.

Efforts thus far suggest that encouraging entrepreneurship promotion and entrepreneurship education in Qatar will stimulate the mindsets and skills of students, school leavers, women, adult learners as well as those already engaged in entrepreneurship activities by helping them understand the real benefits and opportunities in entrepreneurship.

Therefore, the growing interest in entrepreneurship can be harnessed as a catalyst for economic diversification efforts and its education. Through our project, the growing interest and its impact will be analyzed in a locally sensitive and informed manner by highlighting the characteristics of entrepreneurial qualities and formations that work best in the Qatari and the Gulf context.

By studying these qualities, we will be able to offer localized versions of entrepreneurship education that are provided in tandem with traditional/ conventional ways. In order to pursue these goals, an initial step is to explore the qualities of entrepreneurship education and its practice that have been yielding fruitful results and the instances, in which the results have been negative. In addition to addressing the various challenges identified in QNV 2030, ranging from the modernization and preservation of traditions to undertaking managed growth, this project will be influential in creating a cohesive entrepreneurship ecosystem with a “solid grounding in Qatari moral and ethical values” which inspires heritage-appreciating youth in Qatar (QNV 2030). More concretely, this project will provide a platform for entrepreneurs and partners in Qatar to design a tailored and sustainable national entrepreneurship education ecosystem.

In this context, with the main focus of “Localizing Entrepreneurship Education in Qatar”, our study aims to leverage existing entrepreneurship education programs to create case studies and other educational materials in the form of curriculum samples and innovative delivery sites and channels. This project will help its co-funding institutions and other stakeholders as well as end users deepen their cooperation and create a true eco-system of training and learning institutions, break new ground in linking private entrepreneurship to public purpose, and provide a unique and innovative model for the GCC region.