Doha: As part of its national efforts to promote inclusive policies and sustainable development, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the Ministry of Public Health, and the World Health Organization, organized a capacity-building workshop entitled “Foundations of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.” This workshop reflects the university’s role in translating policies and research expertise into effective efforts to understand, measure, assess, and address disability and health standards and methods.

The World Health Organization launched the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICFHD), a framework for describing and organizing information related to functioning and disability. Therefore, this workshop comes at a pivotal moment in Qatar's efforts to enhance services and procedures for people with disabilities. This contributes to supporting the National Disability Classification Project, led by the Ministry of Social Development and Family in partnership with key sectors, as emphasized by Ms. Maha Al-Mansouri, CEO of Mada Center, in her opening remarks. These measures aim to establish a unified, equitable, and transparent national system for assessing disability and measuring all services provided to people with disabilities. At the heart of this system is the development of a performance-based framework grounded in legal principles, guided by ICFHD, and aligned with Qatar's legal context and policies. The success of this project depends on integrated coordination among the various relevant sectors, achieving transparency and shared accountability, and consistent professional application of the classification.

In this regard, Ms. Maha Al Mansouri said: “The goal of these measures is clear, and it is to move forward towards a unified and integrated national system that ensures fairness and transparency in all sectors that serve people with disabilities.”

The opening session of the workshop was attended by Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of the Department of Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Programs at the Ministry of Public Health, who stressed the importance of cooperation between multiple sectors in dealing with people with autism spectrum disorders within a broader framework of disability and health, noting that understanding autism disorders requires a multi-faceted approach that highlights the need for cooperation between different ministries and all parties concerned with the care of people with autism.

Dr. Rayana Ahmed Bu Haqa, the World Health Organization representative in Qatar, pointed out that the determining factors for disability-related policies are intertwined, stressing that achieving success in this area depends on the mechanism of joint action and coordination of responsibilities.

The workshop was led by experts from the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Disability Policy Research Unit at the Swiss Paraplegia Research Center. Through the participation of policymakers, practitioners, and experts, the workshop integrated theoretical research with practical, case-based training to establish a common, WHO-aligned framework for developing future disability services. Therefore, it is based on law. Law No. 22 , issued in 2025 concerning persons with disabilities in Qatar, reinforces the country's commitment to ensuring the full participation of persons with disabilities in society. Furthermore, the workshop proceedings highlighted Hamad Bin Khalifa University's role in fostering a deeper understanding of disability, one that transcends traditional medical models and adopts a holistic, human-centered approach.

Commenting on the importance of the workshop, Dr. Hira Amin, Assistant Professor at the College of Public Policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, said: “By promoting inclusivity in policies, planning and institutional frameworks, the university embodies the role of academia in providing an integrated environment that enables people with disabilities to fully exercise their social and economic rights.”

This initiative underscores the pivotal role played by Hamad Bin Khalifa University as a national academic institution seeking to bridge the gap between global evidence-based systems and national development priorities.

About Hamad Bin Khalifa University:

Innovation that shapes tomorrow

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is a leading innovation-focused university committed to advancing education and research to address the major challenges facing Qatar and the world. The university develops multidisciplinary academic programs and fosters national research capabilities that drive collaboration with leading global institutions. HBKU is dedicated to cultivating future leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset and developing innovative solutions that have a positive global impact.

For more information about Hamad Bin Khalifa University, please visit: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/ar

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About the College of Islamic Studies:

The College of Islamic Studies is one of the oldest colleges at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. It was established as a leading center for contemporary Islamic studies and serves as a unique platform for enriching intellectual discourse and constructive dialogue about Islam from a global perspective. The college continuously strives to develop new insights and innovative solutions to achieve a positive global impact. Its curriculum, teaching methods, and research projects integrate Islamic academic principles with modern social sciences, embodying the values of collaboration, innovation, and academic excellence.

For more information about the College of Islamic Studies, please visit: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/ar/cis

About the College of Public Policy:

The College of Public Policy works to achieve Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s goals of contributing to the development, evaluation, and enrichment of effective policies in support of Qatar National Vision 2030. It is one of the leading public policy schools and knowledge centers regionally and globally. The College provides a unique space for public debate in Qatar and a center for teaching and research to find solutions to policies of local and global importance. It is highly dynamic and open to new ideas and experiences, attracts top faculty from around the world, fosters research excellence, and educates future leaders who are engaged with their communities. The College serves as a bridge for policy innovations that contribute positively to the public good, both locally and globally.

For more information about the College of Public Policy, please visit: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/ar/cpp

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