record - Qatar Foundation

Transcription

BALAnCIng reseArCH needs
settLIng IntO LIFe At QF
dr Thomas Zacharia, executive vice president of Qf research
and development, on ambitious but achievable plans
does Qatar foundation offer appropriate orientation
opportunities for new students when they first arrive?
Read more on page 7
Read more on page 4
issue 95 Thursday 3 OCtOBer 2013
award Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser receives honor for her contribution to education and human development
Her Highness a shining model
for creativity and innovation
Her HIgHness Sheikha Moza bint
Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), has received the George
Bush Award for Excellence in Public
Service in recognition of her international contribution in education,
peace, and human development.
Her Highness was presented with
the award by George H. W. Bush, the
41st US President and his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush, at the
University of New England.
Mrs Bush said: “Her Highness
Sheikha Moza’s belief in the character
and potential of her nation’s people
is an inspiration to us all, and a true
example of service as a point of light.”
Richard Bowen Loftin, Texas
A&M President, was also at the ceremony and praised Her Highness’s
“extraordinary vision” in creating
Education City.
He said: “In Doha [at Texas A&M
University at Qatar] we are training
young engineers who will be a force
throughout the Middle East and the
rest of the world.
“We thank you, Your Highness, for
inviting Texas A&M to be your partner in this great and noble enterprise.”
Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Dean
of The Bush School of Government
and Public Service at Texas A&M
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, makes an address ahead
of becoming the first woman to receive the George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service
University introduced Her Highness to the audience by saying that
“creativity and innovation mark everything she does”.
“She is a shining example of service, combining a vision for change
BeHiND tHe sCeNes
rotA volunteers work hard
on preparations
see page 11
QFT95_CMYK_EN.indd 1
and the ability and energy to make
it happen.”
Her Highness thanked President
and Mrs Bush for the award, accepting it “on behalf of the people and
nation of Qatar”.
Describing the establishment of
Education City’s branch campuses,
Her Highness thanked the “visionaries” like President Bush, “who could
foresee and recognize the importance of such ventures for the pre-
“With ‘unlocking human potential’
as our guiding principle, we aim to
enhance the student experience in
order to create well-rounded
students who will become our
future professionals and leaders”
Ameena Hussain, Director of Hamad bin Khalifa University
Student Center. Read more on page 3
sent and future of our nations”.
Her Highness praised Texas A&M
University at Qatar for its contribution to Qatar’s national research
capacity and socio-economic development. She also mentioned the
pledge made by its students and staff
at the campus’s 10th anniversary celebrations, to support the ‘Educate A
Child’ programme Her Highness
launched in November 2012.
“‘Educate A Child’ is seeking to
help millions of out-of-school children get into quality primary education. I am delighted that our students
in Qatar Foundation are bringing
their fresh perspectives to help us
create this new world view.”
The George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service recognizes
an individual’s dedication to public
service at the local, state, national, or
international levels. Her Highness is
the first woman to receive the prestigious award since the prize started
in 2000. Previous recipients include
40th United States President Ronald Reagan (posthumously), Arnold
Schwarzenegger (during his tenure
as Governor of California), the late
US Senator Edward Kennedy, and
Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union.
eDUCAtioN
wCMC-Q medical students
receive their white coats
see page 9
10/1/13 5:53 PM
News
2
“Prepared by 16
researchers from
11 Arab countries,
the document
is particularly
topical in
coinciding
with important
political and
socio-economic
changes in the
region”
DIFI discusses challenges
facing the Arab family
News iN Brief
nu-Q hosTs
second
‘safe passage’
lecTure
n Northwestern University in
Qatar (NU-Q) held the second
part of the ‘Safe Passage’
lecture series on 22 September.
The event, which focuses on
student conduct in classrooms,
studios, and laboratories, was
a review of cultural, artistic
and academic boundaries that
students must keep in mind.
Panelists included Sandra
Richards, Director of the Liberal
Arts Program at NU-Q.
CONTACT US
COMMUnICAtIOn dIreCtOrAte
rima ismail
publications Manager
email: rismail@qf.org.qa
Tel: +974 4454 0960
ghada saade
head of Translation and editorial
email: gsaade@qf.org.qa
Tel: +974 4454 0961
asma al binali
email: asalbinali@qf.org.qa
intern: saad khan
northwestern university in Qatar
photography page 1 : Maher attar/hhopl,
aisha al Musallam/hhopl
follow us on twitter.com/QfTelegraph
and at facebook.com/QfTelegraph
© 2013. Qatar foundation. all rights reserved. no part of
this publication may be reproduced without the written
permission of Qatar foundation.
Printed
on
recycled
paper
1,345
13,447
By using recycled
paper for this issue of 122,141
Telegraph, the
environmental impact
has been reduced by: 5,776
kg
of CO2 and greenhouse gases
km
travel in the average car
of water
kg
liters
Write to us: qft@qf.org.qa
Thursday 3 ocTober 2013
dIFI discusses challenges
facing the Arab family
seminar Report highlights role of NGOs in tackling issues surrounding socio-economic change
dOHA International Family Institute
(DIFI) hosted an international seminar on 23 September entitled ‘The
role of NGOs in confronting challenges facing the Arab Family’.
Organized in association with the
Arab Network for NGOs, the event
held at Qatar National Convention
Centre, also launched the 11th Annual Arab Network for NGOs report
‘The Arab Civil Society Confronting
Social Risks’.
The report, supported by DIFI,
details the role NGOs play in tackling the challenges facing the Arab
family. Prepared by 16 researchers
from 11 Arab countries, the document is particularly topical in coinciding with important political
and socio-economic changes in the
region.
dUrIng the forum, experts introduced by the Executive Director
of DIFI, Noor Al Malki Al Jehani,
included Dr Wissam Al Othman
and Dr Ali Leila from Egypt who
explored Qatar’s social challenges.
From right : Executive Director of DIFI, Noor Al Malki Al Jehani, and Dr Amani Kandil
Other speakers, including Dr Amani
Kandil from Egypt, Dr Kamel Mahanna from Lebanon, and Dr Abdellatif Kaday from Morocco, discussed
the concept of social challenges and
the results of the annual report.
Other participants shared evidence-based research highlighting
the changes currently impacting the
traditional Arab family as a result of
modernity and globalization.
It is envisaged that these research
findings will provide a solid base for
the policy-making process as they reveal the needs of today’s Arab family
with regards to ensuring its ongoing,
positive contribution to the overall
future growth of society.
economist workshop engages with QF staff
trAInIng. Staff from a number of
Qatar Foundation (QF) departments
attended a workshop to give insight
into The Economist, a leading news
and international affairs publication headquartered in London with
global presence.
Organized by the Communication Directorate as part of a
knowledge transfer initiative, the
three-day event included editorial, production, and digital
modules. Staff learned about design and layout, as well as how
to successfully combine print and
online editions.
AsMA Al Binali, Graduate Trainee
from QF’s Publications Department, feels the workshop was very
interesting. “It was very interactive
and I benefited a lot from it,” said
Al Binali.
from all walks of life.” Al Binali said
she would encourage anyone interested in publications and communications to take the course.
Al Binali added: “I am quite a shy
person, but hearing about working as a journalist for The Economist
made me want to push myself even
further.” The Economist is a highly regarded publication that was founded
in 1843. Its average weekly circulation
exceeds 1.5 million copies.
John Andrews, consultant editor at The Economist
“I learned exactly how The Economist works and found out about
the challenges journalists face. We
were told that curiosity is the key to
success and advised that journalists need to be able to talk to people
JOHn Andrews, currently a consultant editor at The Economist, said
how much he had enjoyed hosting
the workshop and meeting the very
engaging staff and students at QF.
“This is the kind of collaboration in journalism and publishing
that can make a real difference for
its participants. I’m really looking
forward to its next phase.”
of landfill
gU-Q professor launches new book
n Dr Mehran Kamrava, a professor at Georgetown University –
School of Foreign Service in Qatar (GU-Q), launched his new book
Qatar: Small State, Big Politics on 23 September. Professor Kamrava,
who is Director of the Center for International and Regional
Studies at GU-Q, said the book is a critical and timely account of
contemporary Qatari politics and society.
QF data to support air quality initiative
n Air quality is to be monitored in a field trial across Education City. The
data will form part of the Air Quality Index initiative, an index that will
report daily air quality information and the associated health effects. Four
solar-powered sensors have been deployed on Qatar Foundation’s campus,
from which the readings will be converted into a color-coded alert system,
depending on the concentration of gases and whether they are harmful.
10/1/13 5:53 PM
News
Follow us on: twitter.com/QFTelegraph, facebook.com/QFTelegraph
3
HBKU recognizes
contribution
from Japanese
company ItOCHU
Engineer Saad Ebrahim Al Muhannadi, President of Qatar Foundation
Rashid Fahad Al Naimi, Chief Executive Officer of Investments, Qatar Foundation
Leadership Senior figures at Qatar Foundation take on important new roles
Looking forward to continuing
the advancement of QF mission
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint
Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), has announced the
appointment of Engineer Saad Ebrahim Al Muhannadi as the new President of QF as the organization moves
forward in its mission to unlock human potential.
The announcement was made on
23 September.
Paying tribute to Engineer Al Muhannadi, who has been Vice President
of Capital Projects and Facilities Management since 2005, Her Highness
said: “We could not wish for a more
capable President to continue advancing our mission. As one of the founding members of Qatar Foundation, he
is steeped in the esteemed traditions of
our organization.
“It is now 18 years since Qatar
Foundation was founded. From
humble beginnings it has grown to
become the world-class institution
that we see today, spearheading the
nation’s efforts on our journey to-
wards a knowledge economy.
“Engineer Al Muhannadi has been
with us throughout this incredible
journey, leading the ongoing development of the organization’s infrastructure, and I have the utmost confidence
in his ability to provide the necessary
leadership as Qatar Foundation continues its exciting mission to unlock
human potential. I would like to extend
my very best wishes to our new President in his new role.”
engIneer Al Muhannadi said he was
humbled, yet proud, to serve as President of QF.
“Just as Qatar Foundation’s success
has come about through collective
hard work, so the opportunities afforded by the organization should be
available for the collective benefit of
the local population. Qatar Foundation
was built by Qatar, it is sustained by
Qatar, and it belongs to the people of
Qatar, regardless of their background
and occupation. Qatar Foundation has
MeeZA collects award at summit
n MEEZA, a Qatar Foundation joint venture specializing in IT
services and solutions, was named Leader in IT/Technology at
the 4th Annual Arab Investment Summit. Jean-Philippe Sohier,
Chief Marketing Officer of MEEZA collected the award, at a
function held in conjunction with the summit in Abu Dhabi on
10 September.
an extremely bright future, and I am
delighted to be a part of it,” he said.
Engineer Al Muhannadi paid tribute to outgoing President Dr Mohamed Fathy Saoud: “Dr Saoud’s leadership has been inspirational to the entire
Qatar Foundation community, and we
wish him all the very best in his future
endeavors.”
ALOngsIde the announcement regarding Engineer Al Muhannadi’s new
role, Her Highness also announced
the appointment of Rashid Fahad Al
Naimi as Chief Executive Officer of
Investments, Qatar Foundation.
Her Highness said: “I am delighted
that Rashid Al Naimi will be taking up
the key role of CEO of Qatar Foundation Investments.
“Throughout his career, including
in his most recent position as QF’s
Vice President of Administration, he
has demonstrated that he is a natural
leader. I have every confidence that he
will be a great success in his new posi-
tion, and I wish him the very best.”
Al Naimi has demonstrated a flair
for strategic implementation and innovation throughout his time at QF,
while helping to foster a culture of
quality and excellence throughout the
organization.
In his new role, Al Naimi’s strategic
expertise will be brought to the fore as
he oversees Qatar Foundation Endowment, Qatar Foundation Investments,
and the organization’s other joint ventures and initiatives.
Al Naimi said: “I am tremendously
honored to be asked to take on this
new position.
“The time I have spent as Vice
President of Administration has provided me with a valuable insight into
the huge array of talent, expertise, and
potential that QF possesses.
“As the organization continues to
refine its strategic objectives I am very
much looking forward to the challenge
of serving as CEO of Qatar Foundation Investments.”
event. On Wednesday 19 September, Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) held an event to
honor the contribution made to
the HBKU Scholarship Program
by Japanese trading company ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU).
The event took place in the
presence of His Excellency Sheikh
Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, Ph.D.,
President of HBKU and Vice
President, Education, Qatar Foundation; His Excellency Kenjiro
Monji, Ambassador of Japan; and
Shoichi Watanabe, Deputy Chief
Executive for ITOCHU Middle
East and General Manager of the
Doha Liaison Office of ITOCHU.
Two short films were shown:
the first featured interviews with
scholarship recipients, with the
second featuring a message of support from Yoichi Kobayashi, Executive Vice President of ITOCHU.
His Excellency Dr Al-Thani
and Mr Watanabe then presented
students at HBKU partner branch
campuses with awards. Only students who maintain consistently
high grades are eligible for an
HBKU Scholarship.
Addressing the honored guests,
the student scholarship recipients
and the students’ families, Ameena
Hussain, Director of HBKU Student Center, said: “Our mission at
Hamad bin Khalifa University is
to educate. We aim to develop students from many national and cultural backgrounds.With ‘unlocking
human potential’ as our guiding
principle, we aim to enhance the
student experience in order to create well-rounded students who will
become our future professionals
and leaders.”
Speaking specifically to the
representatives of ITOCHU
present, she added: “At Hamad
bin Khalifa University we believe
in international partnerships –
whether manifested by the collaborations with our university
partners in the program offerings or in other ways, as with your
reputable organization.
“Your support has played a
key role in our success. Due to
your contribution, we are able
to provide 165 merit-based
scholarships in the course of
five years.”
vCUQatar launches ‘Crossing Boundaries’
n On 18 September 2013, media artist and designer Joachim Sauter gave
the first of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar’s (VCUQatar’s)
‘Crossing Boundaries’ lectures. Sauter delivered his talk, entitled ‘Get
Physical: from screen-based to tangible computational design’, to a large
audience. The ‘Crossing Boundaries’ series features speakers who have
been chosen because of their commitment to creativity and innovation.
10/1/13 5:53 PM
4
Hot Topic
FOr FresHMen, tHe stArt OF
tHe ACAdeMIC YeAr MArKs tHe
COMMenCeMent OF A MAJOr neW
CHAPter In tHeIr LIves.
Have your say
Bonds built between students
during the time they spend at college
can last a lifetime, and the knowledge
that is built up during their time in
university can form a major part
of what will guide their futures, in
terms of the career they follow or the
postgraduate path through academia
they choose to take.
But before embarking on their
journey through university, students
must first acclimatize themselves to
life as part of a student body, which,
at Hamad bin Khalifa University
(HBKU) partner branch campuses,
consists of new and well-established
students from a diverse range
of backgrounds.
Some of these will have come from
one of Qatar’s schools, or from Qatar
Foundation’s (QF’s) Academic Bridge
Program; others come from Gulf
Cooperation Council countries and
much farther afield – often leaving
home for the first time in order to
study.
At HBKU, and across all of its
partner branch campuses, a program
of orientation events is devised in
order to help newcomers quickly
adapt to university life, so that they
can make the most of their time at
Education City.
abir Zakzok,
Virginia
Commonwealth
university in
Qatar
“I was born
in Qatar and, from what I see, I
think the international students
get to know each other very well
as they have their own orientation
events. In fact, they probably
know each other better than
those of us who didn’t come from
outside Qatar.
“I’d like to see orientation
events which make more effort
to involve all students, whether
they are from Qatar or they are
international students, so that
everyone has a better chance to
get to know each other.”
Mohammed
al Maraghi,
academic
Bridge program
does Qatar Foundation stage
enough orientation events?
BUt Are tHere enough orientation
events and initiatives, and do they
meet the needs of those new students
they are aimed at supporting?
QF Telegraph spoke to freshmen
students in order to canvas their
thoughts on this issue.
Hissa Fakhroo said that, as a Qatari
who had attended high school in
Qatar, she felt as if her orientation
had actually started well before she’d
even started Virginia Commonwealth
University in Qatar (VCUQatar).
“Representatives from different
universities based at Education City
used to visit my high school and talk
AMOng those we surveyed was Javier
‘
yo u R o p iN io N
aRE NEW Qf
studENts
giVEN ENougH
oRiENtatioN
oppoRtuNitiEs?
Share your views by emailing us
at qft@qf.org.qa with a ‘yEs’ or
‘No’ as well as a sentence stating
your reason.
All submissions are confidential
unless you state that your name
can be used.
You can also register your vote
anonymously online on Maktabi.
about the opportunities here, so it is
great to be a part of it now,” she said.
“I feel happy about the orientation.
I’m also happy to be meeting people
from many different countries and
cultures.”
‘
‘ CouNts
‘
do initiatives meet the needs of students?
is there sufficient support for newcomers?
Martinez, who is newly arrived at
Education City from Spain and is
a freshman studying at Texas A&M
University at Qatar.
He told us: “Of course, there are
many differences between Spain and
Qatar, and when I first came here I
was a little lost. But all the welcome
events have helped me settle in and
meet lots of people who have quickly
turned into new friends.”
Nayab Malik, a freshman at
Northwestern University in Qatar,
majoring in Journalism, said: “The
orientation was pretty good. Overseas
students like me do have doubts and
problems and people here have been
really helpful.
“It did get a bit overwhelming at
times. We had three seminars every
day. But it was great. There were a
lot of events and I got to meet a lot
of people. They arranged a lot of
ice breakers and now I feel I know
everyone.”
“All the welcome events have
helped me settle in and meet lots
of people who have quickly turned
into new friends”
Ali Khairat, a first year medical
student at Weill Cornell Medical
College in Qatar, said: “I think the
orientation events were good ice
breakers. I think the fact that there
were more higher classmen involved
was helpful because it let younger
students ask older students what it’s
like at university here.
“Ya Hala! was a great event for
orientation because it brought all the
students together in a social context.
The smart thing the organizers did
this year was to incorporate both
social events with meeting older
students. So you could learn a lot
about university life while
also meeting and interacting with
new people.”
MArYAM Al Doseri, a freshman at
Georgetown University – School of
Foreign Service in Qatar, was happy
with the welcome she received.
However, she did feel that, as an
international student, the orientation
she received could have been more
wide reaching.
“I had never been to Qatar before
and I didn’t feel like it was introduced
to me as much as I had wanted. I
still don’t know where anything is.
Everyone was very welcoming, but
more of a welcome to the country as a
whole would have helped me,” she said.
One student, from Carnegie Mellon
University in Qatar, who asked to
remain anonymous, agreed that a
wider scope to student orientation
would be helpful: “I think they should
introduce non-Qatari students more
to the country, he said. “They don’t
know where to go. Back when I did
my orientation, I didn’t know much
about Qatar. They should create a
support organization for people who
come from overseas and provide a lot
more activities for them.”
“I was nervous
when I first came
as this is the first time I’ve
experienced lessons including
boys and girls. It was weird in the
beginning, but now I am used
to it.
“I think the welcome events
here are perfect, but, in my case,
I have a problem with the football
team. The squad is limited to 16,
so I can’t play. I think the number
shouldn’t be so restrictive as, at
this stage in the academic year,
all those who want the chance to
play in the squad should get the
chance.”
ahmed Hussain,
Carnegie
Mellon
university in
Qatar
“Orientation was
fun. I met lots of people and we
did lots of activities and got to
know more students from the
higher levels, like juniors and
sophomores. The best part is that
we were able to mix with students
with other majors and talk about
what they’re doing.”
“Some of us have lived in Doha and
gone to school here and I personally
didn’t need half the activities they
held. Maybe they should introduce the
campus and how it works, then let us
go home and the rest of the students
can explore Doha.”
“There were a lot of lectures and
new students aren’t necessarily used
to sitting in a lecture for two hours.
It was not very diverse. There were
only a few games-based activities and
I think things could have been more
balanced.”
10/1/13 5:53 PM
Perspective
UCL Qatar seeks insight
for cultural research
Visiting Vice Provost of UCL talks of need for collaboration
PrOFessOr Michael Worton, Vice
Provost of University College
London (UCL), has been a driving
force behind the establishment of
UCL Qatar, which was inaugurated
on 10 September in an event
attended by Her Highness Sheikha
Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of
Qatar Foundation (QF).
Professor Worton, in Doha for
the event, said UCL had worked
closely with Her Highness and QF
to create a campus that fits the
needs of Qatar, contributing skills
in the fields of heritage and health.
He said that universities opening
international campuses had to
ensure they were meeting a need,
not just competing with existing
universities.
“We wanted to talk to QF to see
how we could work with them in
these fields to help develop Qatar
National Vision 2030 and build a
post-carbon economy.
“Qatar National Vision 2030 is
incredibly bold and ambitious. One
of the reasons we were attracted to
Qatar is that both QF and Qatar
Museums Authority have very good
missions and set out their values
explicitly. They fit with our own
and I want to make Doha into one
of the world’s leading centers for
cultural heritage.
“The interest in the region’s
archeology and the cultural
heritage of the region, as well as our
relationship with the museum and
gallery sector, made us particularly
interested in Qatar.”
Professor Worton said that Qatar
and the Gulf region’s focus on
heritage has created a significant
need for museums staff, so UCL
Qatar has been set up as a niche
branch of the university, dealing
specifically with postgraduate study
and research in this particular area
of use to the country.
“To be taken seriously we have to
make it into a graduate profession,
for which we need about 10,000
university-educated professionals in
the Gulf, and at least 2,000 have to
be Master’s educated,” he said.
tO Be of real use to the country,
universities have to engage with the
people and culture, he said.
“I worry about westerners
pontificating about other cultures
without knowing them from the
inside. Since the very beginning,
an important issue for me has
been getting to as many Qataris as
possible, who can talk to us about
what it’s like to be in Doha in the
opinion
dr MohaMMed Javeed Zaki
Big data – it’s about
connecting the dots
We Are experiencing an era of
big data. The speed and volume
of data being collected – in almost
every field – is massive. Whether
it’s medical, business, scientific,
or social data, our job in the
data mining and analytics group
at Qatar Computing Research
Institute (QCRI) is to take that
data, make sense of it, and convey
the insights in a form that benefits
the end-users.
My research is on data mining,
i.e., what are the hidden, novel,
interesting, and useful patterns
and models – collectively ‘the
knowledge’ – that we can extract
from complex and massive data?
For me it’s about taking a step
back.
“In the context
of social media
mining, one of the
biggest challenges
is working out
what is true and
what is false”
Professor Michael Worton, Vice Provost of UCL, during his recent visit to Doha
“the interest in the region’s
archeology and the cultural
heritage of the region made us
particularly interested in Qatar”
21st century.”
He said UCL Qatar had set up a
consultation committee of nationals
to use as a sounding board for
research and they plan to reach out
through online and social media, as
well as to hold events for people to
express their views in person.
One of the first items the
committee has discussed has
been an oral history project that
researchers at UCL Qatar are
planning to carry out. The research
will involve interviewing many
Qatari people.
Professor Worton said: “We
have been very lucky that the
people we have met here have
been enormously helpful. The
consultation committee has made
suggestions and can point us in the
direction we should be going and
ask, ‘why is nobody looking into
this issue?’
“Also, we ask questions
sometimes that they don’t ask
themselves, such as why do
different parts of the Gulf wear
their head-dress differently? To
them it’s so ordinary that they don’t
think about it, so we can help them
to think about their national
cultural history.”
“UCL Qatar also has an outreach
program that will go into Qatari
schools and visit young children
in hospital with artifacts, such as a
broken jug, teaching them both the
beauty and significance of the item
and how to rebuild them.”
5
The different areas – science,
business, social, and others – are
very diverse. At first glance there
is no connection between them,
but the underlying algorithms
for pattern discovery and data
mining, and the systems for data
management and querying, are
more or less common across the
fields.
One of the grand challenges in
this new era of data science is to
come up with the generic theory,
algorithms, and systems that can
make sense of the diverse, rich,
and complex data, and then pass
the discovered knowledge and
insights on to experts in each
particular field.
Mining data that is scattered
across different input sources
is very challenging. There are
issues with data quality and
data integration, which come
even before the data is mined.
For instance, in the context of
social media mining, one of the
biggest challenges is working out
what is true and what is false. A
news station in the United States
interviewed people on the street in
Los Angeles one morning, asking
them if they’d felt an earthquake,
and the stories they came up with
were extraordinary, especially
as there hadn’t even been an
earthquake that day. Likewise,
opinion and sentiment mining
from Twitter data is fraught with
difficulties.
In the past analysts used to look
at data in a piecemeal fashion
– one thing at a time – but that
practice is no longer adequate.
How do we link and mine all the
heterogeneous and complex data
together? We have to discover
knowledge from the different
data sources. Once we link them,
we can start joining all the dots.
For example in bioinformatics
and biomedicine, there is a
treasure trove of public data
about genomes, gene and protein
networks, diseases, pathways,
and so on. If we can link these
data sources with information
extracted from published articles,
we can make rapid advances in
basic scientific understanding and
applications in health.
One of the things we will look
at is to develop intuitive and
ubiquitous data mining tools.
For example, Google is a search
engine that is very successful when
it comes to keyword searches on
the web, but in some senses that is
not satisfactory. We want to come
up with the next generation of
querying and mining – an engine
that is more interactive and has
the power to ask predictive and
complex queries, even about
hidden patterns and relationships.
We need such ‘mining engines’
for big data ranging from social
media informatics, to bio- and
eco-informatics, among many
other areas.
COLUMnIst
dr Mohammed Javeed Zaki
is principal scientist, Qatar computing
research institute
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send us your opinion at qft@qf.org.qa
10/1/13 5:54 PM
6
QF Spotlight
hoW do i?
QFTelegraph helps
you make the most
of your life at Qf
n How can Hamad bin
Khalifa University (HBKU)
students volunteer at the
World Innovation Summit for
Education (WISE)?
WISE, which runs from 29
to 31 October, is seeking to
transform education around
the world, and HBKU
students are invited to get
involved in the summit
through an event training
and volunteering program.
Successful applicants will
learn about the global
challenges to education,
take part in the preparation
and production of a worldclass event, and contribute
to an initiative representing
Qatar. Crucially, students
will receive training from
professionals and experience
working at an international
event. Participants will be
presented with a certificate in
recognition of their work and
will be remunerated through
the Student Employment
Program Office at HBKU.
n What do the roles involve?
Five different roles are
available, for which full
training will be given. The
positions are: Web Coaches,
Welcome Team (Arabic/
English), Twitter Feeds
(Arabic/English), Interview
Room Script, and Question
Box Support.
n How many hours are
involved in each role?
Potential applicants are
advised to consider their
availability. Roles involve at
least six hours over the three
days of the event, at some
point between 8am and 5pm
on Tuesday 29 October and
Thursday 31 October, and
8am and 7pm on Wednesday
30 October. Applicants will
also need to attend training
on the morning of Saturday,
26 October.
n How can I apply?
Via the HBKU Student
Employment Program
website http://www.tech4work.
com Applications close on 8
October.
Do you have questions you
want answered? Email us at:
qft@qf.org.qa and we will do
our best to help you
HSSE representatives gave demonstrations of fire safety procedures
training Emergency Evacuation Drills held across campus to ensure safety of the QF community
Hsse develops life-saving
skills for fire wardens
FIre safety is an issue that is
increasingly part of public
consciousness. Fire is something that
every person has a responsibility to
guard against every day.
To further this awareness and
ensure that Qatar Foundation
(QF) is as safe as it can possibly
be, Health, Safety, Security and
Environment Directorate (HSSE)
is constantly training staff to raise
awareness of what to do in an
emergency.
Pardeep Kumar Dutta, Health
and Safety Training Specialist at
HSSE, said: “We are trying to make
everybody in the community, as
well as QF staff, aware of fire safety.
“We’re asking departments to
nominate people to take on the
additional responsibility of being a
fire warden for their workplace, and
training them in what they should do
in case of any type of emergency.”
Dutta said it is crucial to have
fire wardens as first responders to
emergency situations because small
fires can spread quickly. He said
that the message was getting across.
“People are more aware and able
to deal with emergencies. We can
make sure that if there is a fire no life
is lost. The main thing is working on
the principle of safety first.”
Dutta said HSSE has put
up posters on the walls in all
departments, with the names,
photographs, and contact details of
‘‘People are
more aware and
able to deal with
emergencies. We
can make sure
that if there is a
fire no life is lost’’
their fire wardens, as well as posters
showing the evacuation plans for
the building.
Staff members also have a
responsibility to report any safety
issues they see or experience to
HSSE using the observation forms
on every security desk, he said.
HSSE has been testing its fire
wardens’ skills with Emergency
Evacuation Drills at Msheireb
Properties in Tornado Tower, as well
as Sidra School, Qatar Academy
(QA), Qatar Leadership Academy,
QA Al Wakra, and QA Al Khor.
At Msheireb Properties, fire
wardens held refresher training,
covering the theory of what causes
a fire, and common sense health
and safety. Former firefighters
Robert Beatham and Michael
Linford, who are now employed
as emergency responders for QF,
then led a practical session teaching
fire wardens about different types
of fire extinguishers and giving
participants the chance to put
out a real fire so that they feel
confident and competent using the
equipment.
The responders assist the civil
defense fire fighters to respond to
KNoW tHE dRiLL
1. Work out two different exits from your workplace, in case
one becomes unavailable.
2. Know the number to call in an emergency – 4454 0999,
inside Education City, and 999 outside.
3. Know your fire wardens and how to contact them – consult
posters in your area.
4. Know your evacuation route and muster points, which are
displayed on posters in your workplace.
5. treat all alarms as real. Evacuate the building and wait for
further instructions.
any emergency that may happen in
Education City or any of QF’s sites
across Doha, from fires to medical
emergencies and they are also
working on setting up an outreach
program to teach people about fire
safety in the home.
Rey Marcelino Jaim, Senior
Officer in Health and Safety at
Msheireb Properties, said the
fire wardens undertake refresher
training once a year.
“We’re trying to arrange for
a minimum of two to three fire
wardens on each of our floors at
Tornado Tower, as well as having
two in each of our other centers,
such as the Enrichment Center on
the Corniche.”
Joemar Boquiren, Security
Supervisor at MMG, which
manages facilities for Msheireb,
said: “I have been a fire warden for
seven months. We have learned the
proper procedure for fighting fire,
the causes of fire, how to prepare
equipment, and how to evacuate
personnel.
“I’m very confident if there’s a
fire that I could do it and it’s very
important to me that I can help.”
Deham Muftah Al Khelaifi,
Coordinator, Corporate Services
at Msheireb, added: “It has been
helpful. I can now also teach my
friends and family how to deal with
a fire and show them what to do if
there is one at home.”
10/1/13 5:54 PM
Director’s
From theNote
Top
Thursday 37 ocTober
2013
March 2013
7
r&d goals
are ambitious
but they are
achievable
dr Thomas Zacharia, executive vice
president of Qf research and development
(Qf r&d) talks about big plans for the future
WHen I look at this country, I see a
track record of setting ambitious goals
and achieving them, whether that’s Al
Jazeera, Qatar Airways, winning the
bid for the World Cup 2022, or the
development of Doha itself.
I chose to come here because I was
convinced Qatar Foundation (QF)
was committed to bringing about
change for the country and its people.
I also saw a passion to make this
change real.
When I look at any world-class
research institution, I search for
several key criteria – relevant
challenges, adequate infrastructure,
motivated people, and the leadership
committed to making things happen.
Our inspiration is to build a truly
world-class organization that becomes
a beacon for the best, not just from
this region, but globally.
Foremost, research is about solving
important challenges. Among the
immediate challenges we need to
tackle in this region of the world are
energy security, water security, cyber
security, and access to healthcare.
Ultimately, in science our product
is our people. I am impressed by
our early career scientists, some of
whom come to us through the Qatar
Science Learning Program (QSLP).
I have found these young Qatari
citizens are among the brightest I
have seen anywhere.
Unfortunately, these young
researchers do not yet have the kind
of laboratories needed to achieve
the ambitious agenda of rapidly
transforming Qatar from a hydrocarbon economy to a more diversified
economy for the future.
That is why we’re building a
200,000 square meter worldclass Research and Development
complex, at present the right size for
our ambition. The first 40,000 sqm
building is expected to open in the
next few months adjacent to the Qatar
Science & Technology Park (QSTP).
Modern science is interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary,
not simply doing science but also
solving problems. Our researchers
do great work in each of the
institutes that come under the R&D
organization. Because we believe
they deliver even better science if we
get everyone to work closely together,
in the future we will house everyone
we have hired thus far in a single
modern facility.
We view the R&D facility as a
national facility. This means our
laboratories are not just for the staff
who work at QF R&D, but we also
expect the facilities to be available to
industry, to the tenants at the research
park, and to students and faculty.
Our goal is to emulate major
research centers like Berkeley,
Stanford, and the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, a world-class
research university surrounded by
equally world-class research facilities
filled with bright graduate students.
As part of this goal, one of
QSTP’s primary objectives is to
incubate new companies based on
innovative technologies. Ideally,
these would be spin-off technologies
from our institutes that in turn help
small to medium-sized enterprises
commercialize research.
A CULtUre OF COOPerAtIOn
Currently there are 40 companies in
the QSTP free zone, many of which
are located there for the proximity
to the new R&D facility. We are
trying to develop a culture – an
“eco-system” – in which companies
that want to conduct proprietary
research can benefit from the fact
that they’re operating closely with
the R&D complex.
What’s taking place in Qatar is
unprecedented in recent times. In
many ways it harkens back to the time
when the big national laboratories
were established in the United States
during the establishment of NASA.
We have the opportunity and
responsibility to build this knowledgebased economy. In the end it has to
be managed and driven for the future
by the citizens of this country.
In mature economies a direct
correlation exists between the number
of researchers in a country and its
GDP. Based on that relationship,
given Qatar’s GDP, we should expect
to have 10,000 to 15,000 researchers.
We currently do not have anywhere
near that number.
About 80 percent of those
researchers should be in the private
sector, with QF R&D being the
keystone, priming the pump. In other
words, research needs to be that 20
percent that helps support the 80
percent in the private sector.
In tHe neXt FIve YeArs:
200,000
New
sq meter r&D complex
8,000
private sector researchers
2,000
new researchers for Qf r&D
1,000
phD graduates
“We have the opportunity and
responsibility to build this
knowledge-based economy. In
the end it has to be managed
and driven for the future by the
citizens of this country”
To achieve this, we have a plan to
hire 2,000 researchers in the next
five years. Today we have about 300,
so we have an ambitious but very
achievable task.
While it is important that we
attract the very best people to Qatar,
it is equally important that we grow
our own talent locally. We need role
models from Qatar so people can see
this is an attractive career option.
With this goal in mind, we have
launched the QF Interdisciplinary
PhD program, which will start this
fall with our first three students staff of QF R&D training in our
research facilities.
In its first year, the PhD program is
partnering with the academic program
of Hamad bin Khalifa University.
Working with Qatar University and
other international universities over
the next five years, we expect to
produce at least 1,000 PhDs.
Our efforts include an integrated
five-year business plan for all the
research entities under the R&D
organization. Each year we will revisit
the plan to ensure we’re improving
and refining it based on our
experiences.
Going forward, we will measure
each quarter against the key goals
and objectives we have identified.
The process is a purposeful one.
We must assemble the talent and the
facilities and then tackle the right
problems. With everything working
smoothly, it often requires 10 to 15
years to build a research culture. You
have to invest, nurture, and gradually
shape a culture of excellence that
attracts and retains some of best
talent in the world.
My expectations for QF R&D
are high, and we are still in the early
stages. In research as in sports, my
view is that we shouldn’t brag about
our scores in the first quarter. We
must let the game play out. I am
confident, however, that it is within
our reach in five years to have a
world-leading research enterprise
in Qatar.
10/1/13 5:54 PM
8
Student Spotlight
“the reason
we started this
charity trust
is because we
wanted to foster
care for the
orphans around
the world”
Students determined
to make a difference
News iN Brief
search on
for sTudenT
leaders for
spring break
Trip
n Hamad bin Khalifa University
Student Center is appealing for
student leaders ahead of next
year’s spring break trip to Nepal.
Student leaders will be
involved in deciding what
activities are undertaken on the
trip, which is being organized in
tandem with Reach Out To Asia.
They will also lead some of the
planning sessions.
Students who have taken
part in previous trips will be
given first preference for the
student leader positions.
Students from across Education City discuss HBKU Charity Trust matters
Charity Initiative allows caring youngsters from Education City to help people in need
students determined
to make a difference
tHere are more than 200 million
orphans around the world, and
many orphans are in need of help.
Luckily, there are people in the
world who are willing to lend a
helping hand.
Shehryar Khan and Khansa
Khusa, two students from Hamad
bin Khalifa University (HBKU)
partner branch campuses, are two
such people. They decided that
they wanted to make a difference
and, with this in mind, founded the
HBKU Charity Trust (HBKU-CT)
in 2012.
HBKU-CT is an initiative
that allows students from across
Education City to help people in
need, through projects such as its
Orphan Sponsorship Campaign
and its Let’s Build A School
campaign. It is the continuation
of the organization previously
known as Education City Charity
Trust (ECCT) and is a non-profit,
non-governmental organization,
operating under the cover of
“the HBKU Charity trust is an
entirely student-led initiative in
which we use our network of friends
and family to help people across
the world”
Qatar Charity. It is run by an
executive committee made up from
representatives from HBKU partner
branch campuses.
Shehryar Khan, who is a third
year medical student at Weill
Cornell Medical College in Qatar,
is passionate about helping children
from underprivileged countries. He
is also one of the founders of the
HBKU-CT. “The reason we started
this charity trust is because we
wanted to foster care for orphans
around the world,” he says.
As part of the Orphan
Sponsorship Campaign, students
pay a fixed amount each month. An
assigned officer at each university
picks up the money and adds it to
the fund. Khan says that these
officers remind people to contribute
every month.
So far HBKU-CT has sponsored
20 orphans from 10 countries,
including Kenya, Sudan, Somalia,
Syria, Palestine and Pakistan.
For the Let’s Build a School
Campaign, the trust is organizing
events throughout the year to build
a school in an underprivileged
country. In the 2012/2013
campaign they decided to build a
school in Burkina Faso. In order
to raise funds they sold t-shirts,
which were designed by students
from Education City. They also put
together a festival, during
which students participated in
fundraising games and other
fun activities.
A member of the executive
committee, who represents Texas
A&M University at Qatar, says:
“When we watch the news we only
focus on the politics and not the
people who are involved in turmoil
around the world. That’s what
made me want to help, because
I was constantly thinking about
those people who are living with the
consequences of conflict.”
Khan says: “The HBKU Charity
Trust is an entirely student-led
initiative in which we use our
network of friends and family to
help people across the world.” He
says that they are always looking
for more students to contribute and
suggests that interested students
should log onto its Facebook page,
www.facebook.com/HbkuCharity
10/1/13 5:54 PM
d
Students
WCMC-Q medical students
receive their white coats
Medicine Class of 2017 takes the important first step on path to becoming doctors
9
caMpus life
samira abbas
Finding my own voice
Mohammed Haji receives his white coat from Dr Javaid Sheikh, Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
CLAss of 2017 medical students at
Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
(WCMC-Q) took their first steps on the
long road to becoming doctors at the
10th annual White Coat Ceremony.
The 41 students entering the 2013
medical class took to the stage at Hamad bin Khalifa University’s Student
Center to receive their white coats and
stethoscopes in front of proud parents
and family members.
Accepting the traditional white coat is
a symbolic act that marks the induction
of students to the world of medicine and
healing. Having completed their largely
theoretical pre-medical training, the
new cadre of students will now begin to
learn the hands-on practical skills and
the advanced material of the college’s
medical program.
Khalid Albureshad, who previously
completed both the foundation program and the premedical program at
WCMC-Q, said: “I am very excited
about wearing the white coat for the
first time because it feels like I am
making progress towards my goal of
becoming a doctor. This is what I have
wanted ever since I was a child when
my mother was unwell and I wanted to
help her.
“With the support of my parents, I
have got this far and I am looking forward
to the challenge of learning more about
the human body and interacting with
patients. I’m ready to take the next step.”
“I am very excited
about wearing the
white coat for the first
time because it feels
like I am making
progress towards
my goal of becoming
a doctor”
Dr Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q,
said: “Donning the white coat of our profession for the very first time is a moment
of great significance in the life of every
young doctor-in-training. With this gesture, our students accept the historic responsibility of healing the sick and showing compassion to the vulnerable, and at
the same time dedicate themselves to the
pursuit of the very highest standards of
excellence in the practice of medicine.”
Dr Stephen Scott, Acting Associate Dean for Student Affairs at
WCMC-Q, introduced the event, with
the keynote speech given by Dr Abdulla Mohd Alkaabi, Executive Vice
Chief Medical Officer of Sidra Medical and Research Center, and Deputy
Chairman of Pediatrics and Head
of Pediatric Nephrology at Hamad
Medical Corporation.
Nine Qatari nationals are enrolled on
the course. The Class of 2017 is drawn
from 19 countries.
tAMUQ celebrates spirit and traditions
COMMUnItY. Texas A&M University
at Qatar (TAMUQ) celebrated Gig
‘Em Week, its annual university spirit
and community-building event, from
8 to 14 September.
The weeklong event introduced
students to the TAMUQ core values
of excellence, integrity, leadership,
loyalty, respect, and selfless service.
The activities also encouraged student
involvement in the diverse university
community and interaction between
the university’s faculty, staff, and
students.
Amjad Abdo, Program Coordinator
in the Department of Student Affairs
(DSA), said: “This week’s activities are
designed to showcase and celebrate the
Aggie spirit and traditions.”
Students of Texas A&M University have been called Aggies since
the 1920s, relating to their heritage
as farmers. It has since become the
official nickname of the student body,
both at the parent campus and in
Qatar.
This year’s event featured the Aggie
Involvement Fest, which introduced
students to more than 25 student organizations and outside community
groups. It also included a blood drive;
service showcase presentation about
the Thailand May 2013 Aggie-Service
Learning Experience; Aggieland Market; the Catalyst Leadership Conference; Health is Wealth programming;
and Aggie Ring Day, in which students who have clocked up more than
90 hours of credit receive their Aggie
ring, which symbolizes the Aggie core
values and serves as the visual identity
of the Aggie network.
BeFOre I came to study at Qatar
Foundation I had never traveled
overseas. No-one knew me and
I didn’t know anyone. I had always been a shy person at home
in Kenya, but I thought this was
my opportunity to find out who
I really want to be, to get involved, to become a leader, and
to contribute.
As a nervous and quiet first
year student, my Community
Development Advisor (CDA)
helped me accomplish these
goals through the support she
offered and the events she
helped organize. I was able to
grow and find my own voice. I
guess I felt that I wanted to be
like her, and so when the applications opened for new CDA
positions in the spring of that
first year I applied.
“We work as a
group to assist
students, as
well as organize
different events
and activities
for them”
The application process two
years ago involved a series of
interviews; the final one was
when we were grouped together with other potential CDAs.
This is because the role is very
much a team effort. We work
as a group to assist students, as
well as organize different events
and activities for them. The
latest application process was
slightly different, as it brought
together applications for all the
Hamad bin Khalifa University
(HBKU) student positions so
that selectors could see the different dynamics.
There are currently 23
CDAs within HBKU, supporting around 25 students each.
The role usually involves working around 20 hours a week.
To me however, it’s not just a
‘job’, because I enjoy doing
it, and it’s not a role in which
you can be off-duty. If there’s
an emergency, or if a student
needs assistance, then we help,
no matter what.
For me, the benefits have
been considerable. I feel that I
am confident in my abilities to
lead, which is not something I
can simply learn in the classroom. I am majoring in Interior Design, a field in which I
need to be able to confidently
communicate my ideas, and
this is an area in which being
a CDA has been invaluable. I
have also had the opportunity
to meet and appreciate different nationalities, cultures, and
individuals. It’s a chance to give
back to my peers.
In my opinion, anyone who is
interested in becoming a CDA
should apply. What have you
got to lose? There are no specific qualities, but you have to
show that you can contribute
something unique.
Welcoming the new students
is definitely a highlight for any
CDA. This year, orientations
for all new students were held
together, so we were dealing
with a huge group. It’s a massive
responsibility, as we are not just
representing our own universities, but the whole of HBKU.
First impressions count to
the new students and we become a focal contact to introduce them to each other and
build a sense of community.
It’s great when another student
says they would like to become
a CDA. We feel that the work
we do is noticed and is appreciated.
Samira Abbas is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University in
Qatar. She was named HBKU CDA of the Year in 2013.
10/1/13 5:54 PM
Focus
10
Jamal Abdulla
Qatar foundation’s (Qf’s) business relationship Manager, support
services directorate, talks about how his experiences as an olympic
athlete help him at work
“QF is growing
so fast and one
of the great
things is that
staff members
are growing
with it”
The 60 Second Interview
pUBLiCAtioNs
reView
global trends
i n t e r n at i o n a l a f fa i r s
Issue 7
thought leadership
2013
The
fuTure
of food
“’What’s past is prologue,’ William
Shakespeare wrote, an observation
too often ignored in the modern
world. But Think. proves the worth
of in-depth reporting based on
historically rich analyses. The astute
and textured pieces found in its
pages enable us to understand
and confront perplexing and vital
contemporary challenges.”
Professor Peter Mancall,
Dean of Humanities, University
of Southern California
What is the most enjoyable part of
your job?
The most enjoyable part of my job
is following a plan. For every task
we undertake at Support Services,
we plan, act, and do. And it is that
constant cycle of work that I enjoy.
Preparation is very important.
Before working for QF I was
an athlete and competed at the
Olympic Games in Barcelona and
Atlanta. When you are an athlete
you must constantly strive to
improve. Everybody around you is
improving quickly and you must
ensure that you are doing the same.
It is also important to test
yourself against other people.
It is the same now working for
QF. Everyone here is aiming for
constant improvement in an effort
to be the best.
We need to look at other leading
organizations and consider how we
can improve even further.
employ somebody at the Recreation
Center for seven hours a day, but
we need the facility to be open 18
hours a day. All this kind of work
can be outsourced – so long as the
quality of services and staff are
what QF requires. The initiative I
was involved in was economical and
meant extended services.
What is the most challenging part
of your job?
I am always challenging myself in
my role. Every day I am looking for
the simplest, most effective ways to
achieve any given objective. I am
always aiming for 100 percent –
that is the mindset here at QF.
SUbSCribe toDay.
Simply send an email to
thinksubscriptions@qf.org.qa
Jeffrey SachS We can move the World if We try /// Gm food
could save humanity says NiNa fedoroff /// hoW the Gulf
plans to feed itself BurhaN Wazir investiGates ///
alaiN ducaSSe talks camel and ketchup With sholto Byrnes///
mozamBique is cominG of aGe Writes liSa St auBiN de teraN ///
JohN BeW realpolitik isn’t a kneejerk reaction to idealism ///
elia SuleimaN portrait of the artist as unspeakinG narrator
global trends international affairs thought leadership
Think 7 cover EN.indd 101
Think.
Issue 7
n In Issue 7, Think. turns to
issues of food security and
safety, with reports and
investigations on how the
rising demand for beef in
newly wealthy countries is
having a major effect on global
supply and on long-term
consumption patterns; how
Qatar is leading the Gulf region
in highly innovative plans for
near self-sufficiency; and what
the science really says about
genetically modified produce.
Those featured in the magazine
range from Professor Jeffrey
Sachs, the UN SecretaryGeneral’s Special Advisor on
the MDGs, to the celebrated
chef Alain Ducasse, and leading
commentators and academics
from across the world.
Follow Think. on:
Twitter.com/Think_QF
and Facebook.com/
ThinkInternationalMagazine
9/5/13 2:30 PM
What changes have occurred at
QF since you started working for
the organization?
QF is growing so fast and one of the
great things is that staff members
are growing with it.
Everything is expanding and
it is so impressive to see the
development taking place. Every
month there is something new –
What is the most interesting
initiative you have been
involved in since you began
working at QF?
I was involved in a Support
Services initiative to outsource
some jobs. For example, we can
HSSE teaches schoolchildren to conserve water
students from Qatar foundation learn the importance of water in day-to-day life
QAtAr Foundation’s (QF’s) Health,
Safety, Security and Environment
Directorate (HSSE) has taken the
message of the importance of saving
water out to schoolchildren.
HSSE staff members have visited
classrooms of Qatar Academy (QA)
and QA Sidra, as part of its Water
Conservation Campaign, in order to
impress on children the importance
of water conservation.
Aisha Ghani, Environment Specialist at HSSE, who held the session
for Year 8 children at QA Sidra, said:
“The aim of the sessions is to make
students, who are the future citizens
of the country, aware of the small
things which people forget about.”
sHe held a quiz with the students,
which taught them how much water
was wasted by leaving the faucet running while brushing their teeth, how
many liters a minute were used in the
there are new roads, new buildings,
and new facilities – it is amazing.
What QF activities do you take
part in?
I take part in sporting activities,
such as volleyball and basketball,
with other Support Services staff.
As an ex-sportsman, I love
all different sports. I don’t run
anymore, but I do aim to keep fit.
Fitness is very important – it helps
release endorphins in the body that
reduce stress. It is a great thing to
focus on after work.
Everybody should aim to walk or
swim at least three times a week.
shower, as well as how much water was
required in the lifecycle of manufacturing clothing and food.
Ghani added: “We also teach them
how much water goes into making
things you wouldn’t normally think
of, such as a T-shirt or a car. This
broadens their vision. They know
water is important for everything
and get a different outlook for life.”
tHe children were given reusable water
flasks to encourage them to reduce the
number of plastic water bottles they
reuse, and stickers to help to remind
them and their families to conserve
water.
Karim Emara, one of the students,
said: “It was really good. We learned
about how water is used to make every kind of food and clothes and how
it affects the world. I will be taking
care of my clothes and turning off
the faucet while brushing my teeth.”
Environment
review
QA Sidra students working on a water conservation project
10/1/13 5:54 PM
Behind the Scenes
11
rOtA volunteers working hard
to offer helping hand to others
how the organization draws up a shortlist and decides which worthy projects to support
reACH Out To Asia (ROTA)
encourages volunteers to help
people from all over the world.
Before ROTA’s recent volunteering trip to support a
local school in Tikapur, Nepal, from 19 to 28 September, QF Telegraph went behind
the scenes to discover how the
charity chooses and prepares for
its projects.
Zarmina Nasir, Director, Quality
– Impact & Strategy Department,
said ROTA works with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such
as ActionAid and Save the Children,
which approach it for certain projects, but is looking to work more
with local NGOs to ensure sustainability.
ROTA also has its own researchers monitoring what is going on
in the world and where it thinks
ROTA could add the most value,
seeking to assist the most marginalized communities, particularly in
post-crisis education.
Education is such a critical need,
she said, but in post-crisis situations
schools may be destroyed, or be used
to house displaced people.
“Most of the countries we work
in are in and out of disaster. We are
trying to reduce the chronic impact
of that on children’s participation in
education.”
ROTA is also carving out a niche
for itself by using sports to improve
participation in school.
ROTA staff members carry out
a learning trip four to five months
before a project, said Hazem Idriss,
Volunteer Program Specialist, visiting the schools they can potentially
help.
“We search for the best school in
terms of logistics and the needs of
the school and how we can help,”
he said.
ROTA staff and volunteers interact during a ROTA trip preparation event
This time the school requested
some educational materials and
knowledge about five topics: English,
social studies, cultural exchange, environment, and sports.
Idriss said ROTA tries to provide equal opportunities for people
to take part in trips, with spaces on
adult volunteer programs allocated
on a first-come, first-served basis.
ROTA sticks to an average of 20
adults, which Idriss said was a good
size for the group to communicate
with each other.
WOrKIng In
rOtA HAs
735
vOLUnteers
10
12
COUntrIes
CUrrentLY InvOLved In
InternAtIOnAL PrOJeCts
“Most of the countries we work
in are in and out of disaster. We
are trying to reduce the chronic
impact of that on children’s
participation in education”
For student trips, ROTA asks
teachers to select four to five students from their school, plus a chaperone, and to limit these trips to 26.
All volunteers must attend orientation sessions in the run up to the trip,
Idriss said. At these sessions, not only
do volunteers get useful advice, such
as how to dress and what to wear, but
they also will prepare the work they
will carry out on the projects.
Speaking before the trip, Idriss
said: “We are going to very remote
and poor areas, so it is very important to put students in the context of
the area they’re going to visit.
“With the lesson plans, we just
try to put them on the correct path.
What they do is their own choice.
Once they are ready, they present
their material to everyone and get
feedback.”
Employees from Qatar Foundation
(QF), sponsors Vodafone Qatar, and
other ROTA volunteers formed five
teams, looking at English, social studies, cultural exchange, environment,
and sports, to plan the six hours per
day of lessons they would be giving,
with the help of local translators, to
the schoolchildren in Nepal.
Mohammed Zourob, Business
Support Officer at QF’s Health,
Safety, Security and Environment
Directorate, who was working on
the sports lessons, said: “We understand there are huge numbers in the
classes at this school. So we’re trying
to choose big group sports that will
engage all of them, things like dodge-
ball, volleyball, and football.”
Ghalia Farzat, a former employee
of Texas A&M University at Qatar
now studying at HEC Paris in Qatar,
said their group would teach the children about their own backgrounds –
in Qatar, Palestine, Sudan, and Syria.
She said they would discuss Arabic
culture, including how the language
brings together many different countries, as well as religion, national
dress, the economies and resources
of the countries, and customs such
as weddings.
The project will also create a computer hub to install desktop computers with internet access.
Idriss said: “We intend to keep a
link once we leave the area so the
volunteers can remain connected
with the students, and in six to eight
months we can reassess what’s happening.”
Nasir said ROTA holds reflection
events with the volunteers following
the trips to try to measure the benefits to both the schools and volunteers. But she said the organization
was continually trying to strengthen
and improve the process to monitor
the long-term impact of projects.
10/1/13 5:54 PM
Community
12
business card
‘Back to school Fair’ prepares
everyone for the new term
special event attracts Qatar foundation staff and their children to fun day
Fahad Al Amri
er,
d Finance Manag
Administration anent Center
Social Developm
er
l Training Manag
Acting Vocationa
What does your day-to-day
role encompass?
Every day is different as
Administration and Finance is
a multi-faceted area within the
Social Development Center
(SDC) and is organized
into the four departments of
procurement, human resources
(HR), administration, and
finance. This means that, for
example, the procurement team
has a special role within SDC in
meeting all of the organization’s
service needs with Qatar
Foundation (QF) under our
service-level agreements.
On a day-to-day basis, HR
is handling the needs of 56
staffers within SDC, giving
them guidance and clarification,
while upholding policy.
Describe your role in more
detail?
From an administrative
perspective, SDC has a fivestory building within the heart
of Doha’s city. We are among
the communities and people
that we assist, but are separate
from much of QF, which is
based within Education City.
We therefore manage the
building in regards to fire safety,
refitting office space, health and
safety, and security, which is a
big task.
From a finance angle, the
funding SDC receives is from
endowments that are critical in
supporting the valuable projects
the organization undertakes.
Waqifiya endowments are
central to our Islamic faith
and we seek to invest wisely
to support our ongoing
community initiatives.
We have recently been
reviewing policy and
procedures in accordance with
meeting ISO9001 and Social
Accountability International
SA8000 certification. Arabic
is the operating language of
SDC. The public expects
the organization to use our
beautiful language, people
expect us to value Arabic, our
employees speak Arabic, but
English is the language of the
certifying body, so we have
had to produce a bilingual
document of policies and
procedures.
What is the most interesting
initiative that you have been
involved in during your time
at SDC?
I have been working at
SDC since 2009 and I was
honored to be involved in the
organization of our gala dinner
this year, which showcased the
organization’s achievements in
supporting small and mediumsized enterprises. It was
particularly encouraging and a
great honor that His Highness
Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al
Thani, the Father Amir, and
Her Highness Sheikha Moza
bint Nasser, Chairperson of QF,
were in attendance.
Your role also encompasses
vocational training and
development, what does this
involve?
My day-to-day administrative
and finance role does not bring
me into contact with the public.
Around 18 months ago I
undertook an Acting Vocational
Training Manager’s position,
with the permission of our
Executive Director.
Basically, this involves
undertaking the vocational
training of Qatari youth to give
them the additional skill sets
and characteristics necessary
to flourish.
Children enjoy getting their faces painted during the ‘Back to School Fair’
sePteMBer is always a stressful time
for parents, children, and teachers as
they prepare for returning to school
after the long summer break.
With this in mind, Qatar Foundation (QF) organized a special event
to celebrate the new school year
called the ‘Back to School Fair’.
The event took place at the
AaQool Atrium in the Recreation
Center. Numerous activities were
offered, including face-painting and
art competitions.
There were also book and stationery stalls, including discounts for
everyone who attended the event,
which was open to all QF staff and
their families.
One of the organizers, Rodha Al
Saadi, Senior Supervisor, Auxiliary
Services, Community Services, said
the ‘Back to School Fair’ was aimed
at children.
She said: “We are celebrating the
start of the school year with children.
We have organized a number of activities, including the art competition, which will conclude with lots
of prizes for the children who have
entered.”
Al Saadi went on to say that the
event could be held every September. “This is the first time we have
organized the fair,” said Al Saadi.
“We hope it will be held again in the
future. We will also look to expand it
and offer more activities.”
Anthony Pet Escosia, Community
and Events Coordinator, Community Services, Support Services, also
helped organize the fair.
He said: “The concept was to offer activities for children going back
to school. It’s a party that they can
enjoy, while the parents have access
to discounted products. The aim is
to offer as much to children and parents as possible.”
A strong flow of parents and children visited the fair throughout the
two days.
One of the parents, Anthea Fernandes, who works at Qatar Science
& Technology Park and was there
with her daughter, said: “I think it’s
great for children as they are going
back to school.
“The art competitions are a really
good idea and children always enjoy
face-painting.”
Jomana Elsharkasy
“It is a happy event and great for
parents and children to attend. My
son has had a wonderful time. The art
competition is very good. Children
always enjoy painting and drawing,
and it’s nice that there are prizes. It’s
great to see so many different people
getting involved.”
Jasmine Zartman
“I think it’s a lot of fun. It is great that
there are so many activities. My son,
Ethan, enjoyed the painting. The stalls
are also good. I’ve just moved here
from the US, so a lot of our stuff is being
shipped. This has helped us pick up the
essential things for school.”
amit fernandes
“It’s great to have plenty of activities –
especially for children. The books and
stationery stalls are useful if people
need to pick things up. It’s great that
QF encourages people to take part in
events like these.”
dId YOU KnOW?
the social development Center offers extensive services that
include family support programs, guidance programs, and
career training programs. sdC also offers interest-free loans to
deserving families of natural disasters and initiates awareness
programs through campaigns of various sorts.
10/1/13 5:54 PM
Sports
13
“the event
was a chance
for students
to get
together
to play
football”
Inaugural HBKU Futsal
World Cup takes place
sport iN Brief
Recreation
Center hosts
tag rugby for
children
n Tag rugby sessions
for boys and girls are
now being held at the
Recreation Center.
The sessions are held on
Pitch Three every Tuesday.
Children aged from 4 to
6-years-old can attend
between 3.30pm and
4.30pm, while sessions for
7 to 11-year-olds take place
between 4.30pm and
5.30pm.
Tag rugby will
continue to be held at the
center until November.
Sessions for adults will
be organized if there is
sufficient interest.
For further information
email recreationservices@
qf.org.qa
Inaugural HBKU Futsal World Cup takes place
The first Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU)
Futsal World Cup, organized by the HBKU Sports
and Games Club, was held at HBKU Student Center
on 13 September. A total of eight teams comprising
students from 15 nationalities participated in the
tournament. The event had a huge turnout with
more than 55 players taking part.
Syed Hayyan Ali was one of the organizers of
the event and is also the co-founder of the HBKU
Sports and Games Club.
Hayyan, who was the top scorer at the event,
said: “The event was a chance for students to
get together to play football, especially those
players who don’t get a chance to play for their
respective universities.”
He added that future events would involve
female athletes as well. The event was entirely
organized by students.
The final of the tournament was between Punjab
and Mediterranean. After a match filled with goals,
the trophy went to Punjab, who won 6-3.
PrIvILege PrOgrAM
Qf members are entitled to discounts and special rates at a variety of outlets and amenities upon showing their Qf id.
VaLid to NoVEMBER 2013
Sabah W Masa
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Jeff de Bruges
VaLid to dECEMBER 2013
Titanium
Bambinos
Fauchon Paris
Tivoli Furniture
Rabshah Furniture
Gulf Flowers Furniture
Top Furnitures
Youth Furnitures
Grand Heritage Doha Hotel & Spa
Lone Star Jewelry
Al Sulaimen Jewellers WLL
Qatar Optics
Flying Carpet
Ozone
10%
10%
10%
20-30%
15%
10%
30%
35%
35%
35%
35%
15%
15-30%
45-55%
25%
15%
10-15%
Al Malaki Men’s Requirement
Al Jaber Opticians
Yateem Optician
Milano Sports
Six Senses Spa
(special price list on Qf portal)
Jaula Spa & Club
(40% for membership)
Coucher Du Soleil
(25% for all spa and hair services)
VaLid to JuNE 2014
Al Jazeera Perfumes
Rose Salon
25%
25-30%
10-50%
20%
25%
15%
VaLid to JuLy 2014
VLCC
15%
VaLid to sEptEMBER 2014
Her Avenue Salon & Spa
25%
oNgoiNg offERs
Lollipops
20%
Mosafer
15%
Samsonite
15%
Inglot
10%
(Discount after minimum purchase of QR150)
Naturalizer
10%
Levi’s
15%
Roots
20%
Guess
15%
Morgan
15%
Lab
20%
Karisma
10%
Bench
10%
Garage
10%
Arts & Gems WLL
25-40%
Al Muftah Center
10-35%
TGI Fridays
10%
DHL Express
30%
Aramex
(Qf staff free shop and ship registration
Qf students 50% discount)
Nissan-Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana
Mannai Trading Company
Tajmeel Academy
20%
Nasser Bin Khaled & Sons Co
10-30%
(10% on labor charges and 30% on spare parts)
Relax Spa
5-10%
Ezmiralda Beauty Center
25%
Piano Beauty Lounge
20%
LifEtiME offER
Unique
10%
More details about offers and discounts,
including a number of savings on hotel
rates, can be found on the Qf portal or email
pprogram@qf.org.qa
10/1/13 5:54 PM
14
Time Off
Embracing Arabic through the words of the Holy Qur’an
innovative method teaches the words of the holy Qur’an to non-arabic speakers at Qatar foundation
“In this course,
you were
also spurred
on by the
team spirit”
Learning to embrace Arabic
through the words of the
Holy Qur’an
QUr’ANiC BotANiC
GArDeN
Plant’s names
scientific: Astragalus spinosus
Arabic: Qatad
english: Desert thorn
About the plant
Qatad is an extremely spiny
perennial shrub that grows up to
70 centimeters high. the plant
looks like a bunch of spines and
thorns.
The plant in the Holy Qur’an and
Hadith
it was narrated by ibn ‘Abbas
that the prophet (pBUH) said:
“there will be some people
among my Ummah (nation)
who will gain knowledge of the
religion, and they will recite the
Holy Qur’an, and will say: ‘we
come to the rulers so that we
may have some share of their
worldly wealth, and we will
make sure that our religious
commitment is not affected,’ but
that will not be the case. Just
as nothing can be harvested
from the Qatad except thorns,
so nothing can be gained from
being close to them except
(sins).’” Qatad was reported in
the Hadith, but after reviewing
the Hadith references, it was
found that the plant Qatad is
being mentioned in the weak
Hadith according to Al Albani.
Did you know?
the extremely dense
armament of this plant makes
it strong and its presence
often indicates overgrazing
conditions.
Ahmed El Gharib
Assistant researcher
To find out more about
the Qur’anic Botanic Garden,
email: qg@qf.org.qa
stAFF and students from Qatar
Foundation (QF) and beyond
have learned Qur’anic Arabic
from the Holy Qur’an with a system that uses their hands.
‘Understanding Qur’an and Salah
the Easy Way’, a three-day short course
held on Saturdays at the cinema in
Hamad bin Khalifa University Student
Center, used a practical learning method called Total Physical Interaction,
devised by Dr Abdul Azeez Abdul Raheem, Assistant Professor at King Fahd
University of Petroleum and Minerals
in Saudi Arabia.
Asif Abdulhamid Shaikh, a student
of Dr Abdul Raheem who works at
Qatar Petroleum, taught the course,
which was organized by MyEC
(Muslim Youth in Education City)
and Texas A&M University at Qatar’s
(TAMUQ’s) Insight Club, to about
100 attendees.
Shaik Afzal, a Graduate Research
Assistant on the Chemical Engineering Program at TAMUQ and member
of MyEC, said the course was brought
to Education City after a series of
workshops at Abdullah Bin Zaid Al
Mahmoud Islamic Center, formerly
known as Fanar, proved popular.
tHe method aims to teach 125 key
words from the Holy Qur’an, which
comprises more than 50 percent of the
total text, including daily recitations
and some basic necessary grammar.
Tried &
tested
Course attendees listen to Asif Abdulhamid Shaikh explain the essentials of Total Physical Interaction
Aisha Ghani, Environment Specialist
at Health, Safety, Security and Environment Directorate, said she really benefited from the physical learning aspect.
“This is especially helpful as it is in
QF. It is more practical and if you do
things, you remember them,” she said.
Rammy Salem, Student Recruitment
Officer atWeill Cornell Medical College
in Qatar (WCMC-Q), said: “I found
it a good reinforcement to the things I
have already learned, in particular the
basic principles and roots of the words.”
To improve it, he said he would slow
down the pace, but said it was useful that
atendees were provided with books and
CDs on the method for further study.
Nuzhat Marajkar, Procurement Assistant at WCMC-Q, added: “This
was one of the greatest opportunities.
In a short time we have covered a lot
of things. “To learn this much on your
own would take a long time and a lot of
self-motivation. In this course, you were
also spurred on by the team spirit.
“It did become a long day, so I would
maybe split it all into half-day courses,
but it is a very good start and a good
opportunity for people at QF and the
public.”
Understanding the facts about skin cancer and prevention
pick up some useful advice on good habits from the WcMc-Q your health first nitiative
PreventIng sKIn CAnCer
PrOteCtIng your skin from the sun
won’t just prevent uncomfortable
sunburn – it could save your life.
Skin cancer is the most common
form of cancer, but it is also easy to
prevent by following a few simple
precautions.
Skin cancers are malignant tumors
that form when skin cells are damaged by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV), usually from sunlight or
tanning beds.
UV damages the DNA within
skin cells, triggering mutations. This
causes rapid and uncontrolled multiplication of abnormal skin cells,
which combine to form tumors.
The three most common forms of
skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma,
squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.
Melanoma is the most dangerous
 stay indoors or in the shade during the hottest part of the day between 10am to 4pm.
 Never use tanning beds or booths. Use an instant bronzing product instead if you wish to
appear tanned.
 Use sunscreen every day, particularly if you are fair-skinned. Choose good quality
sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB, with a sun protection factor of at least
spf15.
 if spending long periods outside in the sun, use spf30 sunscreen or higher, which should be
reapplied every two hours and after swimming.
 Keep babies out of the sun and ensure children wear sunscreen.
 protect your eyes with good-quality sunglasses that filter out UV. Beware of cheap fake
designer glasses that will probably not block out UV.
 examine your skin carefully every month, checking for changes to moles or any
unexplained blemishes.
 Visit your family doctor straight away if you are concerned about any changes to your skin,
especially new growths.
 Ask your doctor for a professional skin examination once a year, or more frequently if you
spend a lot of time outdoors.
form of skin cancer. If caught and
treated early, it is almost always curable. If not, it can spread to other parts
of the body and may prove fatal.
Melanomas look similar to moles
and sometimes develop from moles.
They are usually black or brown but
can be pink, red, white, skin-colored,
and even blue.
Melanomas are usually caused by
intense exposure to UV, commonly
through sunbathing sessions or the
use of tanning beds.
For more tips and advice follow Sahtak
Awalan on Twitter at www.twitter.com/
SahtakAwalan or Facebook at www.facebook.com/SahtakAwalan
10/1/13 5:54 PM
What’s On
15
Using the power of words
to nourish the mind
tHiNK ABoUt it
Every Thursday at 6pm, QF Radio 91.7FM (English)
tHInK ABOUt It is a new weekly show
on QF Radio 91.7FM that focuses on
the art of poetry and how powerful
verse can convince people to take their
lives in a new direction.
Host Nabil Al Nashar writes and
presents the short segment, which includes poems he has written.
Broadcast every Thursday at 6pm
on QF Radio’s English frequency,
Think About It is already gaining a
sizable following.
Al Nashar said: “The show was my
idea – I pitched it as I’ve always liked
poetry and people tell me I’ve got a
way with words.
“I want the show to be inspirational.
I want people to listen to the poems
and be inspired by them. I want the
words to really cut deep, and perhaps
trigger an epiphany.”
AL nAsHAr, a Georgetown Univer-
sity – School of Foreign Service in
Qatar graduate, added: “It’s not just
about the words or rhymes. It’s about
meaning and the poems having a deep
impact.
“One of my poems is about
lying, and the fact we all live double
lives. Another of my poems concerns
fatherhood, during which I talk about
my own father, while another is about
time and how it catches up with
everybody.”
Al Nashar said he enjoys interacting with Think About It listeners.
“Each show is only about four or
five minutes, but I’ve already had
some great feedback from friends.
“I’d encourage any listener to get in
touch if they have an opinion to share
about any of my poems.”
QF Radio broadcasts in Arabic on
93.7FM and in English on 91.7FM, or
listen online at www.qfradio.com
spiritual Hour
rise
International news
Music Hour
drive new
Fashion
Innovation
Legendary Artist
think About It new
decades new
daily
sunday to thursday
daily
daily
sunday to thursday
Monday
tuesday
Wednesday
thursday
thursday
Follow QF radio on
facebook and twitter
QF Radio’s programs can be downloaded via iTunes.
The station can be found under Radio > International > QF Radio.
06.00
07.00
13.00
14.00
15.00
18.00
18.00
18.00
18.00
18.30
QF Radio is available in
Arabic on 93.7 FM or online
via www.qfradio.com
UPCOMING
CONCERTS
QaTar philharMonic orchesTra
Guest artists are set for appearances with QPO
QAtAr Philharmonic Orchestra’s
(QPO’s) new season is under
way. Dmitrij Kitajenko and Lilya
Zilberstein will perform alongside
the resident QPO ensemble of 101
musicians throughout October.
Concerts will take place in Building
16 at the Opera House, Katara
Cultural Village.
Lilya Zilberstein
Dmitrij Kitajenko
Cristina Ortiz
RACHMANINOFF’S RHAPSODY
ON A THEME OF PAGANINI
Opera House, Katara Cultural Village
Saturday 5 October at 7.30pm
Music director Han-Na Chang will
conduct the first QPO concert of
October. After the success of last
month’s performance, Chang will
perform along with guest artist Cristina Ortiz, from Brazil. Ortiz will be
playing the piano during the show,
which will feature pieces by Mikhail
Glinka, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and
Dmitri Shostakovich.
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,
Op. 43 is a symphony in four movements composed by Rachmaninoff
in 1934.
Rachmaninoff himself, a noted interpreter of his own works, played the
solo piano part with the Philadelphia
Orchestra at the piece’s premiere in
1934 at the Lyric Opera House in
Baltimore, Maryland.
PROKOFIEV’S THIRD PIANO
CONCERTO
Opera House, Katara Cultural Village
Saturday 12 October at 7.30pm
The second show of October, will
be conducted by Kitajenko and will
feature fellow Russian Zilberstein,
who will be playing the piano. Zilberstein, who was born in Moscow and
educated at the Gnessin State Musical College, rose to prominence after
winning the 1987 Concorso Busoni.
The award, which is given to outstanding young pianists, was a big
triumph for Zilberstein and earned
her a lot of recognition.
The program for the show features pieces by Rodion Shchedrin,
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Sergei
Prokofiev.
Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 26 by
Prokofiev was completed in 1921,
although Prokofiev started working
on it in 1913. The concerto consists
of three movements of roughly equal
length. It is by far his most popular
symphony.
10/1/13 5:54 PM
16
Listings
evenTs
KIDS IN THE
KITCHEN
9 to 30 October
Qatar foundation
Community services and
food services invites aspiring
young chefs, from the ages
of 5 to 11 years old, to join
in special Healthylicious
Cooking Demonstrations
for kids. the event, which
runs from 4pm to 6pm on
wednesdays at the Qataf
Kitchen on the second floor
of the recreation Center
Building, has limited spaces.
OctOber 2013
Go Green – Recycle and
save Mother Earth!
10 October
Join Community Services
for some positive
environment action by
participating in the Go
Green – Recycle and save
Mother Earth! day of
action and help kick-start
a community recycling
campaign.
The event will be held
from 10am to 5pm at the
Recreation Center’s
Atrium Hall.
For more information, please
contact Community Services.
Email: community services@
qf.org.qa or call 4454 0824.
painting classes for children
aged from 7 to 12 years old
at Samr Hall on the second
floor of the Recreation
Center.
The classes will be held
every Tuesday from 4.30pm
to 6pm. The cost of QR400
includes materials.
For registration, please email
community services@qf.org.
qa or call 4454 0824.
Canvas painting class
29 October to 19 November
Limited places are available
for a series of four canvas
chess player by signing
up for Monday classes
from 5pm to 6pm every
Monday at Education City
Clubhouse. The course is
open to children aged 6
years old and above.
For more information, please
contact Community Services.
Email: community services@
qf.org.qa or call 4454 0824.
ONGOING
Chess class
Until 9 December
Learn to become a better
Violin lessons are available on Saturdays
Basketball Social
Every Thursday
Shoot a few hoops in a
friendly atmosphere at
the EC Clubhouse multipurpose court, between
6pm and 8pm. All skill
levels welcome. Meet at the
clubhouse reception.
No prior registration is
required, but for more
information please call
4454 0829 or email
clubhouserecreation@qf.org.qa
3D Encounters: Where
Science Meets Heritage
Piano and violin lessons
Until 31 December
UCL Qatar hosts an
exploration of how 3D
digital replicas of museum
collections can be used
to advance museum,
archeological, and
conservation practice. Using
3D visualisations of artifacts
from UCL Petrie Museum
of Egyptian Archaeology
in London, the exhibition
offers a 360-degree view of
ancient items.
For more information contact
UCL Qatar on 4457 8680.
Every Saturday
Take the opportunity to
learn to play the piano or
the violin with instructors
from overseas, who have
been carefully selected
because of their excellent
qualifications and abilities
to work with children.
The sessions will take place
at the Ain Al Qot Theater
on the second floor of the
Recreation Center.
For registration, please
contact 4454 0824 or email
communityservices@qf.org.qa
Kids’ taekwondo
2-4pm, tues and thurs
Kids’ boxercise
3-4pm, wed
Swimming
otters: 4-5pm and 3-4pm, sun and
tues; turtles: 5-6pm and 4-5pm, sun
and thurs; Dolphins: 3-4pm, Monday
and thurs; Guppies: 5-6pm, Mon and
sat; sharks: 6-7pm, Mon and sat
General Physician
Based inside LuLu express building
sat–thurs: 7am–10pm
fri: 1–9pm
Call: 4454 1244 for details or to make
an appointment.
n All activities below are for Qf members and students only.
recreaTion
cenTer
COMMUNITY AND RECREATION
MOVIES
tuesdays, thursdays and saturdays.
times: 4-6pm. open to all Qf staff and
family members.
Ain AlQot Theater, 2nd Floor
Recreation Center. For information
email: communitysupport@qf.org.qa
HEALTH CARE
the Medical Center
sun–thurs: 7am–4pm and sat: 8am–
noon. tel: 4454 1342
Nutrition services
sat, 10am–6pm, sun, 8am–4pm, Mon,
10am-6pm, tues 10am–6pm and wed
8am–4pm, thu, 8am-4pm.
To schedule an appointment with a
nutritionist email nutritionclinic@
qf.org.qa
Have your event listed. Send
us an email: qft@qf.org.qa
SPORT AND FITNESS
Swimming
public swimming (olympic pool –
early laps only): sun–thurs: 5.30–8am
school swimming time: 7am–2.30pm,
sun–thurs. public swimming:
2.30–3.30pm (olympic pool, laps
only); 3.30–9.45pm (all three pools).
exceptions apply. fri and sat
public swimming, 8am–9.45pm.
Children’s swimming courses QR250.
Call 4454 0801 for details.
Jacuzzi, spa and sauna
fai Club (women) and Al wahaa (men)
run sat–thurs, 1–9.45pm. Closed fri
Faculty and staff soccer
pitch 1, 6–8pm, sun
Volleyball
Green floor gym, 4.30–6pm, Mon
Basketball
Green floor gym, 7–9pm, tues
Floorball
wooden floor gym, 7–9pm, tues and
10am–12noon, sat
Indoor football
Green floor gym, 5.30–7pm, wed
Badminton
wooden floor gym, 6–9pm, wed
Green floor gym, 10am–1pm, fri
Squash
squash court, 5–7pm, thurs
Ladies only: squash court, 4–5pm, sat
Water polo
olympic pool, 4–6pm, fri
Circuit training
Mon and thurs, 4–4.45pm. free
Fitness evaluation
A new program to help members
develop a suitable exercise regime.
Contact any Recreation Center
fitness instructor for details. Sun–
Thurs, 5.30–10pm
Children’s football
for youngsters aged six to 17.
tues, 2.30–3.30pm and 3.30–4.30pm
Classes cost QR400 per week.
Call or email Recreation Center for
details.
Zumba
tues and wed 4.30–5.30pm, activity
room. sessions cost Qr30 per class
or Qr250 for 10 sessions. Call or
email Recreation Center for details of
how to reserve your place in the class
Ladies’ aerobics
wed, 4.30–5.30pm, sat 10.30–
11.30am. free.
educaTion
ciTy
clubhouse
SPORT AND FITNESS
Jacuzzi, spa and sauna
Male and female spas open from
1–10pm every day except tuesday.
Circuit training
wed, 5–6pm, sat, 8.30–9.15am. free.
Tennis lessons
Individual classes cost QR35 for half
an hour, QR60 for one hour or QR500
for a block of 12. Payment by credit
card only. Contact Education City
Clubhouse for details.
Ladies’ aerobics
tues, 9–10am and tues, thurs and
sun: 5–6pm. free.
Contact Education City Clubhouse.
DINING
Lebaina Restaurant
sun-wed: 6am–9.45pm
thurs–sat: 6am–10.45pm
Breakfast served daily 6–11am
The Grill
sun-wed: 4.30–9.45pm
thurs-sat: 4.30–10.45pm
Meseika Snack Bar
sun-wed: 6–9.45pm
thurs–sat: 6–10.45pm
CLUBHOUSE MOVIES
tuesdays (7-9pm - over 18s only),
thursdays (7-9pm), fridays (3-5pm)
and saturdays (3-5pm). open to all
Qf staff and family members. EC
Clubhouse.
For information email
clubhousecommunity@qf.org.qa
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES
sun–wed: 8am–10pm
thurs–sat: 8am–11pm
aWsaJ
recreaTion
cenTer
OPENING HOURS
7am-10pm
Swimming pool
sun-thurs: 7am-3pm – school time;
sun-sat: 3-6pm public swimming; tues
9am-noon, 5-8pm Ladies’ time; fri:
7am-6pm public swimming
RECREATION ACTIVITIES
Kids’ activities
football with richard, 4-5pm, sun
football with Adrian, 4.30-5.30pm,
wed
football with Adrian, 4-6pm, tues
and thurs
futsal with flavio, 9-10am, fri
Basketball class
4-7pm and 9am-3pm, tues, fri and sat
HEALTH AND FITNESS
Insanity workout
4-4.45pm, Mon, wed and sat
Circuit training
5-5.45pm, sun and tues
Adult learn to swim 1
6-7pm, wed
Breathing technique
5-6pm, wed
Ladies learn to swim 2
9-10am, sat
Ladies’ aqua fitness class
5-5.45pm, tues
Adult taekwondo class
5-6pm, Mon and wed
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Badminton social
5-7pm, sun
FACILITIES
Multipurpose hall (basketball,
badminton, football, climbing wall,
and volleyball courts); outdoor
football court with running track
(pitch 4); 25 meter swimming
pool; Awsaj recreation Mixed
fitness Center; Ladies’ fitness room;
studio
For more information please contact
awsajrecreation@qf.org.qa or call
4454 2549
SHOPPING
LuLu Express
Daily: 7am –11.30pm
Tel: 4480 0448
sTudenT
cenTer
OPENING HOURS
sat-wed: 7am-10pm; thurs: 7amMidnight; fri: 1pm-Midnight
SHOPPING
iSpot
sat-thurs: 10am-6pm
Sidra
sat-wed: 7am-10pm. thurs: 7am-12am.
friday: 1pm-12am
Tribe Bookstore
sat–thurs: 8am–9pm
Xerox
sat-thurs: 9am-7pm
Kulud Pharmacy
sat-thurs: 10am-8pm
DINING
Continental Co
sat-thurs: Breakfast 7-10.30am. Lunch
11am-3pm/Dinner 5-8pm. friday:
Lunch 1-3pm/Dinner 5-8pm
Papa John’s
sat-thur: 10am-10pm.
friday: 1-10pm
Gloria Jean’s Coffees
sun-wed: 8am-10pm. thurs: 8am11pm. friday: 3-11pm
lulu eXpress
HEALTH CARE
Dental clinic
inside LuLu express building
sat–thurs: 7–11am
fri: 5–9pm
By appointment only. Tel: 4454 1244
For venue details call Recreation
Center, Tel: 4454 0801, Education
City Clubhouse, Tel: 4454 0834, or
Student Center, Tel: 4454 0288, or
Awsaj Recreation Center, Tel: 4454
2549, or find Qatar Foundation
Recreation Services on Facebook
10/1/13 5:54 PM

record - Qatar Foundation

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