University of Doha for Science and Technology has been ranked ninth among the top 10 Best Workplaces in Qatar for 2026, adding a workplace-culture distinction to its expanding profile as one of the country’s key applied higher education institutions.
The recognition places UDST among organisations assessed for employee experience, trust, leadership practices and institutional culture at a time when Qatar’s education sector is under pressure to align academic delivery with labour-market needs, innovation goals and the broader transition towards a knowledge-based economy.
Dr Salem bin Nasser Al-Naemi, President of UDST, described the ranking as “a proud milestone” for the university and said it reflected the workplace culture built by its faculty, staff and wider community. He said the achievement highlighted the university’s focus on creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and empowered to contribute to applied education, research and innovation.
The 2026 Best Workplaces in Qatar list was announced on May 7 and recognises organisations that have invested in workplace trust, staff engagement and employee pride. The ranking is based on the Great Place to Work model, which evaluates workplace culture through employee feedback and assessment of organisational practices. The framework places emphasis on trust in leadership, fairness, respect, pride in work and camaraderie among colleagues.
UDST’s inclusion in the list comes after the university received Great Place to Work certification for the third consecutive year in 2025. That certification followed an anonymous employee survey and a review of workplace practices. The university has previously highlighted professional development, inclusivity, health and well-being, work-life balance and access to training as central elements of its employment culture.
The recognition also carries strategic importance because UDST’s institutional mandate depends heavily on industry engagement, faculty capability and applied research output. The university is Qatar’s first national institution specialising in applied, technical and professional education. It operates from its campus in Duhail North and offers about 80 programmes across five colleges, covering Engineering and Technology, Business, Computing and Information Technology, Health Sciences and General Education.
UDST has nearly 8,900 enrolled students, more than 11,000 alumni and a community representing over 86 nationalities. Its workforce includes more than 250 internationally experienced faculty members, making staff retention, professional development and workplace satisfaction important to the university’s ability to sustain academic quality and industry-linked learning.
The ranking comes during a phase of academic expansion. For the 2026–27 academic year, UDST has launched new programmes including the Executive Master of Health Administration, Master of Science in Midwifery, Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Veterinary Science and Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Science. These additions reflect demand in healthcare, veterinary science and applied professional disciplines that support Qatar’s national development priorities.
Dr Al-Naemi has also pointed to the university’s partnerships as a major driver of its growth. UDST has built a network of 81 local and 52 international partners, including public institutions, industrial groups, technology companies, universities and research centres. These relationships support internships, joint academic programmes, applied research and efforts to match graduates with labour-market requirements.
The university’s research agenda has expanded in areas such as sustainability, renewable energy, food security, health technology and digital transformation. UDST has launched the Centre of Excellence for Sustainability and Food Security and Qatar’s first Maritime Training and Simulation Centre, while its students and teams have taken part in international competitions and exhibitions, including Expo 2025 Osaka and Shell Eco-Marathon Europe and Africa 2025.
Workplace recognition in the education sector is increasingly viewed as more than an internal human resources achievement. Universities competing for faculty, researchers and administrative talent are under growing pressure to demonstrate strong governance, transparent leadership and inclusive workplace policies. For applied institutions, these factors influence not only staff morale but also student experience, industry collaboration and research delivery.
Qatar’s higher education landscape has been shaped by efforts to strengthen local skills, diversify the economy and expand technical and professional pathways. UDST’s model sits directly within that framework, with a focus on practical learning, workplace training, laboratory-based instruction and programmes designed in response to sector needs. Strong workplace culture helps support that model by reducing institutional friction and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The recognition places UDST among organisations assessed for employee experience, trust, leadership practices and institutional culture at a time when Qatar’s education sector is under pressure to align academic delivery with labour-market needs, innovation goals and the broader transition towards a knowledge-based economy.
Dr Salem bin Nasser Al-Naemi, President of UDST, described the ranking as “a proud milestone” for the university and said it reflected the workplace culture built by its faculty, staff and wider community. He said the achievement highlighted the university’s focus on creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and empowered to contribute to applied education, research and innovation.
The 2026 Best Workplaces in Qatar list was announced on May 7 and recognises organisations that have invested in workplace trust, staff engagement and employee pride. The ranking is based on the Great Place to Work model, which evaluates workplace culture through employee feedback and assessment of organisational practices. The framework places emphasis on trust in leadership, fairness, respect, pride in work and camaraderie among colleagues.
UDST’s inclusion in the list comes after the university received Great Place to Work certification for the third consecutive year in 2025. That certification followed an anonymous employee survey and a review of workplace practices. The university has previously highlighted professional development, inclusivity, health and well-being, work-life balance and access to training as central elements of its employment culture.
The recognition also carries strategic importance because UDST’s institutional mandate depends heavily on industry engagement, faculty capability and applied research output. The university is Qatar’s first national institution specialising in applied, technical and professional education. It operates from its campus in Duhail North and offers about 80 programmes across five colleges, covering Engineering and Technology, Business, Computing and Information Technology, Health Sciences and General Education.
UDST has nearly 8,900 enrolled students, more than 11,000 alumni and a community representing over 86 nationalities. Its workforce includes more than 250 internationally experienced faculty members, making staff retention, professional development and workplace satisfaction important to the university’s ability to sustain academic quality and industry-linked learning.
The ranking comes during a phase of academic expansion. For the 2026–27 academic year, UDST has launched new programmes including the Executive Master of Health Administration, Master of Science in Midwifery, Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Veterinary Science and Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Science. These additions reflect demand in healthcare, veterinary science and applied professional disciplines that support Qatar’s national development priorities.
Dr Al-Naemi has also pointed to the university’s partnerships as a major driver of its growth. UDST has built a network of 81 local and 52 international partners, including public institutions, industrial groups, technology companies, universities and research centres. These relationships support internships, joint academic programmes, applied research and efforts to match graduates with labour-market requirements.
The university’s research agenda has expanded in areas such as sustainability, renewable energy, food security, health technology and digital transformation. UDST has launched the Centre of Excellence for Sustainability and Food Security and Qatar’s first Maritime Training and Simulation Centre, while its students and teams have taken part in international competitions and exhibitions, including Expo 2025 Osaka and Shell Eco-Marathon Europe and Africa 2025.
Workplace recognition in the education sector is increasingly viewed as more than an internal human resources achievement. Universities competing for faculty, researchers and administrative talent are under growing pressure to demonstrate strong governance, transparent leadership and inclusive workplace policies. For applied institutions, these factors influence not only staff morale but also student experience, industry collaboration and research delivery.
Qatar’s higher education landscape has been shaped by efforts to strengthen local skills, diversify the economy and expand technical and professional pathways. UDST’s model sits directly within that framework, with a focus on practical learning, workplace training, laboratory-based instruction and programmes designed in response to sector needs. Strong workplace culture helps support that model by reducing institutional friction and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration.
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Qatar