🧵🧵 Very important thread about how Qatar is quietly transforming the American education system stating from Kindergarten and ending with Ivy League colleges:

Qatar has made significant investments in American education, aiming to enhance its global influence and foster cross-cultural academic collaborations. These investments span various programs and initiatives, primarily focusing on establishing branch campuses of U.S. universities in Qatar and providing substantial financial contributions to American educational institutions

One of Qatar’s most notable educational endeavors is the development of Education City, a sprawling campus in Doha that hosts branches of several prestigious U.S. universities. This initiative, led by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, seeks to bring world-class education to the Middle East.

Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q): Established in 2001, WCM-Q offers a comprehensive medical education program, granting Cornell University MD degrees to its graduates.

Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ): Since 2003, TAMUQ has provided engineering programs identical to those at its main campus in Texas, offering degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical, and petroleum engineering.

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q): Opened in 2004, CMU-Q offers undergraduate programs in computer science, business administration, biological sciences, and information systems.

Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Q): Since 2005, SFS-Q has provided a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, focusing on international politics and economics.

Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q): Established in 2008, NU-Q offers programs in journalism and communication, mirroring those at its main campus in Illinois.

Beyond hosting branch campuses, Qatar has made substantial financial contributions to American universities. Between 2001 and 2021, Qatar donated approximately $4.7 billion to various U.S. academic institutions. Notable beneficiaries include:

Cornell University: Received over $1.8 billion, primarily to support its medical campus in Doha.

Georgetown University: Received $760 million to establish and maintain its School of Foreign Service branch in Qatar.

Texas A&M University: Received nearly $700 million for its engineering campus in Doha.

Carnegie Mellon University: Received $740 million to support its Qatar campus operations.

Northwestern University: Received nearly $602 million for its journalism and communication programs in Qatar. Qatar doesn’t have a free press.

U.S. universities failed to disclose foreign donations as required by law. A 2022 study revealed that at least 100 American colleges and universities did not report approximately $13 billion in foreign contributions, with Qatar being a significant contributor.

Also, none of these cash infusions on behalf of Qatar have to be registered with FARA.

Strange coincidence is that the campuses that have Qatari money saw the most prevalent and violent anti- Israel protests.

Qatar’s investment in American education extends beyond higher education institutions to include significant contributions to K-12 education. These efforts are primarily facilitated through the Qatar Foundation International (QFI), a U.S.-based subsidiary of the Qatar Foundation, aiming to promote Arabic language and cultural education in primary and secondary schools across the United States.

Arabic Language and Culture Programs: QFI provides grants to public schools to support Arabic language courses, covering expenses such as teacher salaries, curriculum development, and cultural events. Over the past decade, QFI has donated more than $30 million to various public schools nationwide, including those in Texas, Oregon, Arizona, and New York. These funds have facilitated the introduction and expansion of Arabic language programs, aiming to foster cross-cultural understanding and global competency among students.

Teachers get visits from the QFI three times a year and have to report updates three additional times per year.

Teacher Training and Professional Development: QFI sponsors professional development opportunities for educators, including workshops, seminars, and international exchange programs. For instance, teachers have participated in events like the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, Qatar, enhancing their pedagogical skills and cultural knowledge to effectively teach Arabic language and culture.

Lessons include:

- Whose terrorism? Expands the definition of terrorism
- teaches religion and ideology have nothing to do with it
- display maps in classrooms that don’t have Israel on them and just have United Palestine

Cultural Exchange and Enrichment Activities: Beyond language instruction, QFI funds cultural events and field trips to enrich students’ learning experiences. Examples include visits to local cultural festivals and interactions with native Arabic speakers, providing students with immersive experiences that deepen their understanding of Arabic-speaking cultures.

This has been given almost no media attention. There is no transparency financial or curriculum based.