Qatar Foundation’s Academic Bridge Program and British Council Sign Landmark Agreement to Establish the First IELTS Registration and Testing Center in Education City and Qatar
Doha, Qatar – 1 September 2025: The Academic Bridge Program (ABP) – Qatar Foundation’s, has signed a notable cooperation agreement with the British Council to establish ABP as the first official IELTS registration and testing center in both, the Education City and the State of Qatar.
The signing ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including the UK Ambassador in Qatar, Mr. Neerav Patel and Mr. Francisco Marmolejo, President of Higher Education and Education Advisor at Qatar Foundation, Dr. Saheim Khalaf Al Temimi, Director of the Academic Bridge, and Dr. Waseem Kotoub, Country Director, Cluster Business Development Lead, Qatar, British Council and members of QF senior leadership, marking an important milestone in Qatar’s educational landscape.
Through this strategic partnership, Academic Bridge Program students, university students in Education City, as well as all members of the wider community, will be able to directly and easily access IELTS registration and testing services in the heart of Education City. This represents an important step in reducing the logistical challenges faced by many students and in providing a supportive and familiar environment that enhances their academic readiness.
‘The establishment of this centre reflects the Academic Bridge Program’s commitment to ensuring that our students, and the Education City community as a whole, have the tools that enable them to excel academically and compete for admission to the world’s top universities,’ said the ABP Director, Dr. Saheim Khalaf Al Temimi.
IELTS is trusted by 12,500 organisations in over 140 countries around the world and is taken by over 4 million people each year, making it the world’s most widely recognised English proficiency test.
By offering internationally recognised testing services, this agreement further strengthens Education City’s reputation as a global hub for learning, opportunity, and excellence.
‘This partnership is a reflection of the shared vision between ABP and the British Council to empower young people, support educators, and contribute meaningfully to Qatar’s National Vision 2030,’ noted Dr. Waseem Kotoub, Country Director, Cluster Business Development Lead, Qatar, British Council.
The collaboration underscores Qatar Foundation’s dedication to providing world-class resources that empower students and support the nation’s knowledge economy.
About the Academic Bridge Program
The Academic Bridge Program (ABP), part of Qatar Foundation, is a premier foundation programme that prepares high school graduates for success in leading universities in Qatar and abroad. ABP provides students with the academic, linguistic, and personal skills needed to excel in higher education and beyond.
About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2024–25 we reached 599 million people.
For media enquiries please contact:
For British Council – Stella Wekesa
Regional Senior Communications Manager, Middle East and North Africa
Stella.Wekesa@britishcouncil.org
For Academic Bridge Program (ABP) – Maysara Al Arabeed
Outreach Coordinator
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