News In Brief ~ March 2010 

QF Radio online presents a varied line up of events, comment, interviews and highlights from Qatar Foundation and its members.   

 

Get set for Career Fair 2010
 

Qatar Career Fair 2010 will open its doors to the public on Sunday at 4 p.m.

This year it opens daily from 9 a.m. until March 18th, at the Doha Exhibitions Center.

Qatar Career Fair Center is a member of Qatar Foundation, and each year it manages to supercede the previous event
with very high calibre participants, stylish booths and interactive displays for visitors.
 

Qatar Career Fair 2010 not only brings together exhibitors and visitors to explore career opportunities but also embraces Qatari high school and university students, fresh graduates, parents, guardians and career development professionals.

Supported by some of the major organizations andbodies in Qatar, namely Qatar Foundation, Qatar Petroleum, The Amiri Diwan, Qatar University and The Ministry of Labor, this is an event focused on Unlocking Human Potential towards the realization of the human development pillar within the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Don't miss it, opens Sunday!

Sensory Response to the Built Environment

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar’s (VCU-Q) Interior Design students participated in a three-day joint workshop session entitled ‘Sensory Response to the Built Environment’ conducted by visiting guest professor and renowned architect Joy Monice Malnar.

Fifty-four Interior Design students from VCU-Q and eight architecture students from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh who are in Qatar this semester studying at Carnegie Mellon University Qatar (CMUQ), participated in the event.
The group was set the challenge to design a sensory stair for Education City’s Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) building that would stimulate at least three of the human sensory systems.
 

QRSC Manager, Jan Nuyens said that that the first training session will be for cardiac surgeons from the Middle East during the Gulf Heart Association’s (GHA) annual conference to be held in Doha on April 8 and 9.

Nuyens also said that there would be increased demand for clinical robotic surgery in Qatar , mirroring its uptake in the USA and Europe.

Currently it is widely used in urology, cardiac surgery, gynaecology and has some applications in general surgery as it is far less painful and less invasive.

According to Nuyens, QRSC focuses on three areas: training, technology development and demonstration of surgical technologies.

The brand new facility of QRSC is currently equipped with two robots and three simulators.

Officially, QRSC will be inaugurated in October or November 2010.

Unified Fight Against Diabetes

Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA), a member of Qatar Foundation, has joined forces with Harvard Medical’s American College of Endocrinology, GlaxoSmithKline and Hamad Medical Corporation to offer a course for medical practitioners about diabetes and its associated dangers.

Some 200 physicians from governmental and private medical organisations across Qatar, attended the course to learn about diabetes and its complications.

This is the first time the course has been taken outside of the US. Organisers chose Qatar because of the high level of prevalence of diabetes in the country  with some 16% of the population in Qatar expected to have the disease.

Officials explained that diabetes is becoming more of a problem throughout the world.

The US is expected to see a 52% increase and Europe an increase of around 27%, the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern region is expected to experience a rise of some 105% by 2012.

Qatar Foundation has launched three research institutes to focus on applied research.



The three institutes, with emphasis on biomedicine, environment and energy, and computing, will concentrate on specific challenges that relate to Qatar’s national priorities.

“They will serve as umbrella organisations for the existing and proposed research centres within the country,” said Qatar Foundation’s vice president for research Dr Abdelali Haoud.

What will the three Institutes focus on? 

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute will focus on stem cells, biomarkers (including genomics of diabetes, cardiovascular and cancer), molecular imaging, and infectious diseases.

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute has carbon technologies, renewable energy and environmental research as the thrust areas.

Qatar Computing Research Institute will have data mining, computational science and Arabic language and search technologies as its focus areas.

“Instead of having smaller research programmes with fewer people dispersed everywhere, we want to bring them together in a flexible way, where they can keep their own identity and autonomy, but contribute much better and enhance the outcomes,” Dr Haoudi explained.



www.qf-researchdivision.org

DOHALAND sponsors Qatar International Real Estate
and Investment Exhibition

More than one hundred local, regional and international property developers are taking part in the 5th Qatar International Real Estate and Investment Exhibition (Q-Rex 2010) at the Doha Convention Centre, 3-6 March.

For the second year running, Qatar Foundation member, DOHALAND will be the official sponsor of (Q-REX).

DOHALAND have a stand which has been themed as, ‘A Place to Dwell’, highlighting their commitment to bring Qatari families back to live in the city centre by designing living environments that focus on 'community and local traditions'.

At the exhibition miniature models of almost all major real estate development projects in Qatar are on display.

DOHALAND will also be hosting a symposium on ‘Musheireb – the New Architectural Language’ on March 4, 2010, at the Knowledge Enrichment Centre which is accessible from the Corniche.

 

Texas A&M at Qatar in Leadership Exchange

Texas A&M at Qatar is sending 16 undergraduate students to the Texas A&M campus for the first half of a two-week leadership exchange program, and then switching with College Station Aggies.

“Students from both campuses are selected based on leadership potential and campus involvement,” said Julie Chase, student development specialist for the Department of Student Affairs in Qatar.

Students from Qatar arrived in the U.S. this weekend.

Georgetown Qatar’s students to undergo disaster management training in China

Ten students from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar traveled to China last Friday for an 8 day service learning trip associated with a disaster management training program organized by the school’s Service Learning Program (SLP). 

Students will be traveling to the areas of China which were heavily-affected by last year’s earthquake, where they will learn about disaster response and management strategies, meet with government and UNDP representatives, and assist in relief work on the ground. 
 

Future of Solar Energy in Qatar is bright

Frank Asbeck CEO of Solar World shaking hands with
Rashid Al Naimi VP for Administration Qatar Foundation

Qatar is a step closer to harnessing its abundant solar power with the announcement yesterday that two leading international agencies will partner with two Qatari entities to produce green energy.

SolarWorld AG, one of the world’s largest solar companies, will partner with Qatar Solar Technology (QST), in which Qatar Foundation (QF) has a 70% stake.

The technology can provide different options suitable for Qatar, including power generation for desalination plants that could support the QNFSP’s project to increase arable land in Qatar.

“QF’s first investment in the renewable energy sector supports our strategic objectives to diversify Qatar’s economy, drive high-technology research and development in the country, promote the Foundation’s financial sustainability and address environmental concerns”, a Qatar Foundation spokesperson said.

Light Rail Network for Education City

Work on the internal light rail network in the Education City is expected to begin this month.

The project being launched by Qatar Foundation is scheduled to be completed in three years.

The light rail network will offer different stops around Education City and aims to reduce crowding and congestion.The project is being managed by Capital Projects, a Diretcorate of Qatar Foundation.

 

A drive against obesity among children launched today with a six-week program ‘Healthy Steps to Doha’.

The initiative is part of Qatar’s National Prevention & Control Childhood Obesity Program running from 1 March to 11 April with around  1,000 students, aged 12 and 13, from three schools in Qatar taking part in the pilot.

There will be a specific theme each week that aims to change attitudes of middle school children to  eat more fruits and vegetables, and get physically active.

About 39 percent of the adult population in Qatar is obese.

QF Radio has two health related programs;
Dr Kerrs Casebook, available online and on 91.4 FM Mondays at 8am, and FoodTalk with Nan Millette, Tuesdays at 10am and also available online.

Arts Program Manager appointed at Cultural Development Centre (CDC)

Qatar Foundation's Cultural Development Centre welcomes Mr. Hafiz Ali Abdullah, starting from March 01, 2010.

Mr. Hafiz studied in the USA, at the California Institute of the Arts and Chapman University (MFA and TV Directing), and has worked at Universal Studios in Los Angles, and at Qatar TV.

His Films include “The Oryx Return” (2007), winner of the best documentary award and best director award at the Arab Radio and TV festival in Tunis, and “Cab Driver” screened at the festivals in the USA, France, Canada, Spain, Tunis. Russia, Oman and UAE.

He most recently he directed “Scents of Shadows” winner of silver Award at Gulf TV & Radio Festival.

New Carnegie Club hosts “Software in the Enterprise” roundtable discussion

Leaders in the banking sector gathered together for the first Carnegie Club roundtable discussion of 2010 titled
“Software in the Enterprise” at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar.

The discussion focused on the important role that information technology and software play in an organization.

The topic ‘Software in the Enterprise’ prompts us to have a conversation about the fundamental ways that software changes how we do business, and to explore the role of software development, management and acquisition in a Qatari context.”

  The Carnegie Club has as its goal to create a dialogue around new trends and challenges in management science and practice. The program is aimed at corporate executives and organizations in Qatar who are interested in pushing the boundaries of ‘best practices’ by leveraging the academic resources at Carnegie Mellon.

Book Drive Underway

Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing (BQFP) is organising its second annual Book Drive whereby people can donate their used books and magazines.

BQFP will make the collected books available at the Reading Awareness booth in the Qatar Career Fair from March 14 to March 18.

BQFP offers the Reading and Awareness booth for the second time this year to a larger group of audience.

Astronaut presents Aggie T-shirt he carried to International Space Station

NASA astronaut Capt. Mike Foreman today (18 Feb.) presented University officials with a Texas A&M at Qatar T-shirt that he took into space on a trip to the International Space Station.

"My engineering degree prepared me to do the work I do today, and by sharing my experiences with students here, I hope to inspire them to study math, science and engineering and to continue learning," said Foreman, a graduate of the US Naval Academy.

The presentation was held lecture hall 238 of the Texas A&M Engineering Building at Education City, Doha, Qatar.

Qatar Foundation plans to open a Qatar Music Academy at the Cultural Village soon to introduce music at a young age to students here.

“Music plays a very important role to culture… and it is a medicine for the soul,” said Dr Saif Ali Al Hajari, vice chairperson of Qatar Foundation and chairman of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO). Al Hajari said they want the people here to have knowledge of both Western and Arabic music, hence the plan to open an academy.

QPO to delight Austrian audiences

Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO), a member of Qatar Foundation, will be invited to play in Austrian cities over the next two years.
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (VPO) will be guest of Qatar Foundation this Sunday, performing at Education City as part of the ongoing Doha, Capital of Arab Culture 2010 Festival.

“Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra is a blossoming flower in the music world,” said Marian Wrba, of the Austrian embassy. “As the Vienna Philharmonic partakes in opening up the cultural experience of Qataris, we feel that it is worth exchanging performances- and musical cultures- with Qatar’s own philharmonic.”

 

 VCU-Q Hosts Design of Dissent exhibition

      
       Milton Glaser          Design of Dissent Book

DOHA // Recently Mirko Ilic returned to Doha having initially come out last year to work with graphic design students at Virginia Commonwealth University of Qatar.

He has accumulated more than three decades in design, serving as the art director for Time magazine and the New York Times’ editorial pages, and having also managed his own firm.

Now he is back at curator of the Design of Dissent exhibition at Virginia Commonwealth University-Qatar.
The first showing of the exhibition outside of the US and it is on until the 7^th of March.

More                                                                    

'Stepping Toward Sensory Design' Lecturer, Discovers Qatar 

Highly regarded design researcher and author Joy Monice Malnar was in Doha late January as guest speaker in the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Spring Lecture Series. Her lecture ‘Stepping Toward Sensory Design,’ addressed some of the major issues facing practitioners of design today.
Joy spoke first with John Bullock about her excitement at discovering Qatar.

Duration: 13.50
 

Empowerment of the Family in the Modern World
Challenges and Promises

Empowerment of the Family and the challenges it faces in a modern world is the theme of a two day international conference (27 and 28 January 2010) being hosted in Doha by the Qatar Foundation’s Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development .

John Bullock spoke with Amina Mesdoura the Family Policy Director at the institute about the aims of the conference.

Duration 9.29

 Doha Fundraising Supports Johnnesburg



Last year Doha played host to two great humanitarian projects, the Rota Gala Dinner and Charity Auction, and the Doha 21st Century Leaders Awards with its fundraising project 'Whatever It Takes'.
More is available at www.facebook.com/whateverittakes.org

John Bullock talks with Yana Fleming from Whatever It Takes about a project funds raised in Doha are supporting in Johannesburg.
And the next 'Whatever It Takes' charity event is scheduled for the Doha Marriot on the 26th and 27th of February.

Duration 6.28