ISSUE 162 THURSDAY 5 MAY 2016 Write to us: [email protected] Follow Foundation on: twitter.com/QF , facebook.com/QatarFoundation ISSUE 162 THURSDAY 5 MAY 2016 8 Student Spotlight instagram.com/qatarfoundation , Snapchat username: QFSNAPS FromStudents the Top 9

QA students inspired by a session CAMPUS LIFE “Heritage is what builds with Arabic children's book author a country, AWARENESS HBKU Press publish book that discusses ethical values and is the foundation. Yousuf Akhlaq People build on it, and it’s Enhancing soft skills through important learning the art of debating to keep our MOST people don’t want to try new to me, and I had to get culture alive” debating, as they are worried used to a different debating PUE commemorates about speaking in front of oth- style. It was tough, but I also World Heritage Day ers. My response is: “It is worth heard about the experiences of exploring, because you just people who had attended inter- might discover yourself.” national tournaments. As President of the Carnegie I attended the workshops PUE's International Day of Culture highlighted many QF initiatives Mellon Debating Society, I provided by , and have seen speakers take just one they helped me to progress. I NEWS IN BRIEF minute out of the seven allowed, tried to distinguish myself as and I have also witnessed semi- the most passionate debater, final speakers present their ar- and the most capable. I even HEC Paris guments in four minutes. went a step further by taking students visit Debating is a liberal environ- an active interest in the man- ment where every argument is agement of debates. Qatar campus valid as long as you justify your Sophomore year came and thinking. Challenging subjects I became Vice President of on exchange expand your general knowl- the society. A CMU-Q team program edge, especially topics that you went to Malaysia for the World Muneera Al Rumaihi's book reading session proved to be educational and inspirational would not usually discuss. Championships, and to Croa- n Fifty-one full-time In planning for your future, tia for the European Champi- students from the debating sells well to compa- onships, which offered more Advanced Master in Large AS PART of her tour of schools in school, involving a student who was Fellow student Hissa Maarafi added: nies. Potential employers know experiences. We are indebted Project Management CELEBRATION Qatar, several batches of students born without hands,” explained Al “A girl cannot walk but she still plays that you will have the confi- to the support of CMU-Q; the program of HEC Paris Students display their creativity and passion toward preserving local culture from ’s (QF’s) Qa- Rumaihi. with people, and she is okay with that. dence to articulate your ideas, students and faculty support in France visited the tar Academy schools, experienced “The other children treated him This doesn’t stop her from dreaming. and that you have the ability the team, and the society re- university’s Qatar campus book-reading sessions conducted by differently, because they were scared. She plays with dolls. She imagines that to put together cohesive argu- ceives financial assistance. as part of their study trip. Muneera Al Rumaihi, author of Ara- I encouraged the children to mingle she can fly, dive, and do anything. ments. Debating has been the In terms of leadership, my During their five-day visit bic children’s book Manal’s World. with him, and see what they experi- “This book taught me that even if finest preparation for manage- goal was to inspire the next to the Qatar Foundation PUE commemorates Published by Hamad bin Khalifa enced. The feedback was very positive, I am sick, I can do anything. Even if ment consulting, as it taught me generation of public speakers at partner university in April University (HBKU) Press, a mem- and they began to like him.” something is wrong with my body, I how to problem-solve in an or- CMU-Q, so I took a semester 2016, they learned about ber of HBKU, a member of QF, and Children displayed enthusiasm in can still do what I want to do. I will ganized and articulate manner. off from debating to take up the ongoing development also translated into English, the book learning important values while in- never give up, and I will always be Many people see debating role of judge. projects, and visited sites targets basic moral values. It discusses teracting with each other. They re- happy with whatever I am doing.” as public speaking and, yes, But as the spring semester such as the Al Wakra World Heritage Day tolerance and acceptance of others, lated their experiences of dealing with The session concluded with a lot you do gain the confidence to started I had one thing on my Stadium construction site, aiming to educate children aged 7-9. someone they considered different, of enlightened children leaving the present yourself well in any mind – I was now the President, Red Line South Metro, and AS the world celebrated UNESCO’s they are currently working on the in the best possible way. I was so foundation. People build on it, and it’s The story is based on a specially and felt inspired. library, where the book-reading was conversation but you also learn and I had to make sure we won Msheireb Downtown World Heritage Day on 18 April final touches to implement this excited when they announced that important to keep our culture alive. abled girl, Manal, who loves to imag- Young student Shareefa Al Kaabi conducted. Al Rumaihi proudly con- about the structure of the de- the national trophy back. It had Project. The students 2016, Qatar Foundation’s (QF’s) agenda for middle school. we won first place.” “Qatari culture is different from ine, and ventures out to make new told QF Telegraph how much she liked cluded: “The book focuses on inspir- bate. The frameworks that we been three years since CMU- also got the chance Pre-University Education (PUE) Students from QF schools put Almayasa Al Wadaani, another other cultures. It needs to be taught friends despite her limitations. “What the book. She said: “I like that the story ing children to use their imagina- use while planning have proved Q’s last win and it was time for to experience Qatar’s put together a successful event together various exhibits, displaying Grade 3 student from QA Msheireb, in schools, and classes should be inspired me to write this book was an is about a girl. I learned how important tion to do things they never thought really helpful to me while writ- action, so I started debating. culture, heritage, and highlighting QF’s initiatives toward their diligence and dedication in shared the enthusiasm saying: “I was conducted to learn more about it. incident that happened in my child’s it is to care about other people.” possible.” ing papers. The way I think is Three months later my very history through weekend preserving local culture and heritage. spreading awareness about Qatari so excited to hear that I was selected Parents also have to keep educating quite structured; every premise able colleague, Moussa Zekak, cultural activities. PUE’s International Day of culture. to participate in this event. and talking about it to their supports a conclusion. and I were able to bring back Culture gathered seven schools from Each stall had a variety of “I am so proud to be Qatari. children.” I became passionate about the championship. QF, along with supporters involved significant elements that highlighted This event is a great opportunity Sultan Al Sulaiti, a Grade 11 debating when I joined Carn- Many people find the British in preserving local culture, to exhibit the importance of local traditions for me, as I get to share with visitors student at QA Doha, echoed TAMUQ and QSTec collaborate for solar art exhibition egie Mellon University in Qatar parliamentary style of debat- curricular works carried out by right from fishing and pearl diving some information on Qatar and similar sentiments as he stressed (CMU-Q), a Qatar Foundation ing adversarial, so I am glad to students over the past two years as to the local cuisine and historic its traditions. Everyone should be the importance of preserving his RENEWABLE Qatar Solar Technolo- seven group projects, each powered by fessor, TAMUQ, said: “Through this partner university. Narcis Jafar- have been able to introduce the part of QF’s ambition to protect and monuments. proud to be citizens of this great culture, and carrying it forward to gies (QSTec), a joint venture with Qa- the use of solar energy in a variety of project, we wanted to be able to bring ian, a business administration Model United Nations (MUN) conserve heritage. While the exhibits presented country.” future generations. tar Foundation (QF), and QF partner creative ways. the concept to a non-technical audi- alumna, was then president of to CMU-Q as well. Under the directives of Her by the different schools were The exhibits on display were the “I believe this day is really valuable university Texas A&M University at Twenty-five students were present- ence – that solar energy is real, viable, the debating society and enthu- From a group of just 15 stu- Highness Sheikha Moza bint commendable, QF member Qatar result of the creative work carried because our culture is exposed to Qatar (TAMUQ), held an on-campus ed with the opportunity to integrate art and can be used in the mainstream, siastically encouraged fresh- dents three years ago, we are Nasser, Chairperson of QF, PUE Academy Msheireb (QA Msheireb) out by students over the past two different cultures represented by the solar art exhibition at TAMUQ on 17 into science, technology, engineering, showing that it is no longer just con- men to participate. I started now 95 strong. MUN is still had designed a culture curriculum emerged the winner with its display years. According to officials, 95 many nationalities here. To me, my April 2016. and math (STEM) subjects of renew- fined to the science lab.” attending the weekly practices, competitive, but it has an inter- for schools, initially starting with booth scoring the highest. percent of the pieces showcased heritage and culture is everything. Held as part of the QSTec Shams able energy, making it STEAM. One of the participants, Alnada Al as CMU-Q’s Debating Society personal side centered on di- elementary. Talking enthusiastically about her at their respective booths were My life was built around it, and Generation Initiative – which aims to The idea of being creative about Kubaisi, student, TAMUQ added: is one of the most consistently plomacy. For the first time this On 18 April 2016, QF celebrated school's success, Shamma Al Kaabi, handmade by students, owing to a conserving it is very important.” spread knowledge about solar power solar energy was embraced by all the “This project is helpful because it is successful ones in Education year, a CMU-Q delegation will two years of implementing this a Grade 3 student at QA Msheireb, very hands-on curriculum. The event concluded on a high and sustainability within Qatar’s stu- participants. Munazza Sayed, student, more hands-on, and we really have City. go to the Eurasia MUN Con- program and thus celebrated the said: “I felt my heart pump very fast Reflecting on the significance of note, as guests and attendees were dent community – the project formed TAMUQ said: “We are trying to create to understand and apply what we Much of what we did was ference in Germany. International Day of Culture at during this competition. There were the event, Abdallah Al Qahtani, a treated to a variety of cultural events part of the undergraduate students’ a greater awareness of solar energy by learned. In the end, we are promoting the Hamad Bin Khalifa University many big schools competing against Grade 10 student at hosted by supporters, including term grade. making something that people can play solar energy, and this makes perfect Yousuf Akhlaq, Business Administration Junior, at Carnegie Mellon Student Center. Senior PUE officials us. We worked very hard with our Doha (QA Doha), said: “Heritage Katara Cultural Village and the The theme of ‘Full STEAM ahead around with.” sense for Qatar given the amount of University in Qatar at the event revealed to QF Telegraph teachers to represent our school is what builds a country, and is the Ministry of Culture. for solar energy’ was highlighted by Dr Robert Balog, Associate Pro- sun that we have.”