www.thepeninsulaqatar.com COMMUNITYC | 5 FASHION | 8 ENTERTAINMENT | 11 Qatar Shell offers A less flashy vintage Music video unique opportunities Rolex you can wear starring Mallika to Qataris with anything Sherawat unveiled SUNDAY 24 JANUARY 2016 Email: [email protected] thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar FUSION OF HANDICRAFTS Traditional Qatari handicrafts take on new form in “Two by Two”, a workshop in which Qatari and international artisans share know-how at Katara. P | 3 SUNDAY 24 JANUARY 2016 | 03 COVER STORY of the workshop which organisers said generated interest with other artisans so there is a possibility to conduct more workshops in the future involving more participation from the wider internation- al artisan community. The areas tackled in the workshop were just some of those conducted by the department, said Al Buainain, add- ing the ladies create all the products by hand. Among the products made by the Productive Families are exquisitely de- signed abayas and jalabiyas; decorative artefacts such as scale models of tradi- tional dhow, inlaid work on tables, jew- ellery boxes and other items, ghawa set; wooden jewellery boxes; Arabic per- fumes and scents; paintings depicting Qatari culture; handmade paper; and colourful textiles in geometric patterns woven using Sadu — a technique em- ployed by Bedouin women in rural com- munities. The products are being sold in the local market such as in souqs, different shops and hypermarkets as well as pro- moted in other countries in the region. “Productive Families is a group of ar- tisans that produce indigenous handi- crafts approved by the Ministry to make and sell their products in the market and Artisans get a taste of currently we have around 800 mem- bers,” said Al Buainain. The Ministry assists the members in many ways including giving them work- traditional Qatari craft shops, marketing their products and promoting them internationally. “We hold a lot of fairs and go to oth- er countries in the Middle East like Bah- By Raynald C Rivera “I think this workshop is a very good uct that would attract consumers in rain and Dubai to promote the products,” The Peninsula opportunity for the artisans to take a the market. she said. The Ministry also takes strides lot of new information, experiences The Qatari artisans have exhibit- ensuring the sustainability of the indus- and techniques that they can apply in ed dedication in their craft as some try amid the burgeoning progress the their work. More importantly, would of them have been in the industry country is undergoing in many spheres. raditional Qatari handicrafts enable sharing of experiences and fu- for more than 25 years. They are very “We conduct workshops to further take on new form in “Two by sion of traditional and international proud of what they do showing their better the quality of their work, especial- Two”, a workshop in which Qa- techniques to further enhance their traditions through the products they ly the traditional products so that they Ttari and international artisans craft,” Sharifa Al Buainain, Training and fashion by hand and sold in the mar- will be sustainable. We are also teaching share know-how to create fresh and Development Manager at Productive ket. a young generation of artisans to make unique products to offer the market. Families Department at the Ministry of Having the chance to sit with Qa- sure this very important aspect of our Held on Friday at Katara, the work- Labour and Social Affairs, toldThe Pe- tari artisans and see how they craft tradition is passed on to future gener- shop was the first of its kind organised ninsula. their products, the expatriate partici- ations and ensure it lives on,” added A by the Productive Families Depart- During the workshop, a Qatari ar- pants were satisfied with the outcome Buainain. ment at the Ministry of Labour and So- tisan was paired with an artisan from cial Affairs, a government arm respon- another country to teach and learn sible for helping Qatari artisans in the from each other. Fourteen artisans production and promotion of their comprising seven Qatari and seven products to the local and internation- foreign artisans coming from Spain, In- al market. dia, Argentina, Kazakhstan, France, Co- Long before the discovery of oil lombia and Venezuela who are based and gas, Qataris have their own handi- in Doha took part in the pioneering ini- crafts that express their cultural iden- tiative. Each of the participants has her tity, from traditional weaving to cloth- own field of expertise. ing and perfume making. Through the The workshops focused on Sadu years Productive Families have been and crochet, jewellery, decoupage and known as a national brand that artic- small furniture, aquarelle and painting, ulates the cultural and artistic identi- perfumes and creams, clothes and ty of the people through their proudly patchwork, and dolls, cushions and Qatari made products. kids’ items. The “Two by Two” workshop is an It was an invaluable learning ex- initial step to further enhance what perience for each pair as they shared the artisans already possess and share knowledge and techniques and de- what they know to other cultures of cided on the aspects to include in the the world. making of a new and enhanced prod- 04 | SUNDAY 24 JANUARY 2016 CAMPUS BPS students enact Mock Parliament tudents of class 8 of the Bir- during the mock session. Discussion on which were very duly replied to by the The Social Science department la Public School, on Wednes- various issues, the Question Hour and “Ministers” concerned. which organised the mock session, day put up a Mock Parliament, voting on Bills were the highlight of the One important aspect of the pro- paid special attention to the role of the San exercise meant to create show. The “session” was conducted the gramme was the discussion on wom- Opposition which is very important in a awareness about the functioning of same way the Lok Sabha conducts its en’s safety. While the “ruling benches” democracy like in India. the top legislative body in India. business. went on defending their efforts in pro- The organising team included the They enacted the role of the ruling, Questions related to the deterio- tecting women, the “Opposition” cited Junior Headmistress Divya Mary Vin- opposition party MPs, Ministers and rating condition of the postal system, examples of assaults and harassments cent, teachers Rakesh Verma, Hajera the Speaker. wastage of water in the trains and rail- against women in the country during Masroor, Jiji George, Pandidurai and Most aspects related to the func- way stations, cyber security etc were the past one year of the government’s Leena Dinesh. tioning of Parliament were covered raised by the “Opposition” members, rule. Yale professor’s talk opens TAMUQ lecture series ale University professor Dr of freshwater scarcity. De- ciate at the California Insti- chardson Irvine Clarke Prize for excel- Menachem Elimelech was the salination processes have tute of Technology (Caltech), lence in water research and was elect- first speaker in Texas A&M Uni- been in use long enough a guest professor at the ed to the US National Academy of Yversity at Qatar’s 2015-2016 to demonstrate their relia- Swiss Federal Institute of Engineering in 2006. Among his oth- Distinguished Lecture Series. bility, but there are contin- Technology and the Exxon- er awards are the W M Keck Founda- Texas A&M at Qatar interim Vice- uing questions about the Mobil Chair Professor at the tion Engineering Teaching Excellence Dean and COO Dr Ann Kenimer intro- technology — including the National University of Singa- Award in 1994; the American Society duced Elimelech, who is Director of the energy requirements for pore. of Civil Engineers Walter L Huber Civ- Environmental Engineering Program process operation. Elime- His research interests in- il Engineering Research Prize in 1996; and the Roberto Goizueta Professor lech’s lecture explored the clude engineered osmosis the Association of Environmental Engi- of Environmental and Chemical Engi- energy efficiency of desalination and for sustainable production of water and neering and Science Professors Fron- neering at Yale University. presented possible solutions to re- power; environmental applications and tier Award in Research in 2006; elec- In his talk on “Energy Efficien- duce those energy demands. implications of nanomaterials; mem- tion to the Connecticut Academy of cy of Desalination Processes,” Elime- Elimelech received his PhD from brane separations for desalination and Sciences in 2006; the 2008 American lech said that seawater and brack- Johns Hopkins University in 1989 in en- water reuse; and water and sanitation Institute of Chemical Engineers Law- ish water desalination is an important vironmental engineering. Prior to join- in developing countries. rence K Cecil Award in Environmental way to alleviate the global problem ing Yale, Elimelech was a visiting asso- He received the 2005 Athalie Ri- Chemical Engineering. SUNDAY 24 JANUARY 2016 | 05 COMMUNITY Qatar Shell offers unique opportunities to Qataris he oil and gas industry is at the take up, you always have a solid sup- core of Qatar’s economy, and port network to guide you through it.” the energy sector presents an Having spent his first two years Tideal platform for Qatari na- at Qatar Shell with the offshore team tionals to contribute to the develop- working on the drilling rig, platforms ment and success of their nation. and barge, he has since travelled Following his graduation from the to several Shell global locations. Al University of Manchester, Mohammed Rayahi now shoulders the responsi- Al Rayahi found himself considering bility of managing the maintenance several job offers in Qatar but decid- of the utilities unit at Pearl GTL, man- ed to join the energy sector, with Qa- aging and appraising a team of 42 tar Shell.