16 Tuesday, December 29, 2020 The Last Word PRIME MINISTER MEETS INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTER Qatar National Library selected to play host to Interlending & Document Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Supply Conference 2021 Thani met with Minister of External Affairs of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his ac- companying delegation in Doha on Monday. Dur- ing the meeting, they re- viewed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and the ways to strengthen them, in addition to discussing a number of issues of common concern. (QNA) TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA The ILDS service is an integral component of the global informa- QATAR National Library (QNL) has tion network, which consists of Qatar Airways and Oman Air agree been selected to host the 17th Inter- national, academic, public, pri- national Federation of Library As- vate and scientific libraries, pro- sociations and Institutions (IFLA) Interlending and Document Supply viding users with access to print on code-share expansion as part (ILDS) Conference from October 4 to and digital collections in diverse 7, 2021. The successful bid is the re- languages and formats from sult of close cooperation with Qatar around the globe National Tourism Council (QNTC), which provided support and commit- of boosting strategic cooperation ment in promoting this event. education, research and knowledge. The ILDS conference will bring in- Through hosting events such as this, ternational delegates from across the QNTC works with stakeholders to at- The number of destinations available to Oman Air passengers to go up from 3 to 65 on QA network world to the library to discuss innova- tract visitors to our shores and build tive practices, strategies and experi- a sustainable tourism sector. We look TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK commercial cooperation with Oman mand, the airline has grounded its ences in the field of interlending and forward to welcoming ILDS delegates DOHA Air to provide even more benefits to fleet of Airbus A380s as it is not en- document supply. The ILDS service is to Qatar next year for a holistic visi- our customers.” vironmentally justifiable to operate an integral component of the global tor experience rooted in service excel- QATAR Airways is expanding its Oman Air Chief Executive Of- such a large, four-engine aircraft in information network, which consists lence and our tradition of hospitality.” portfolio of strong, globally strate- ficer Abdulaziz Al Raisi said: “We the current market. QA has also re- of national, academic, public, private Peter Collins, director of re- gic partnerships by signing an ex- are delighted to expand our com- cently launched a new programme and scientific libraries, providing us- source sharing at OCLC and IFLA panded code-share agreement with mercial cooperation with Qatar Air- that enables passengers to volun- ers with access to print and digital DDRS Section chair, added: “The Oman Air that will boost connectiv- ways, which will streamline flying tarily offset the carbon emissions collections in diverse languages and IFLA Document Delivery and Re- ity and provide more flexible travel for leisure travellers from across the associated with their journey at the formats from around the globe. source Sharing Section is excited to options for both airline’s customers. world to enjoy Oman’s culture, sce- point of booking. HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al partner with Qatar National Library The expanded code-share agree- nic beauty and hospitality, and fa- The national carrier of Qatar Kawari, Minister of State and Presi- on the 17th Interlending and Docu- ment is the first step in further cilitate travel for those who visit the continues to rebuild its network, dent of QNL, said: “Interlending and ment Supply Conference in Doha. strengthening strategic cooperation Sultanate of Oman for abundant, which currently stands at over 110 document supply is one of the cor- ILDS is the premier global resource between the two airlines that began fast-growing business opportunities destinations with plans to increase nerstones of any library’s operations, sharing conference. In this digital in 2000. Sales of the additional des- across a diverse range of sectors. to 129 by the end of March 2021. A and continued cooperation between age, information and research knows tinations will commence in 2021. The expansion of our code-share in Oman Air’s network. Both air- multiple award-winning airline, QA institutions is critical to our ability to no boundary, and resource sharing QA Group Chief Executive Ak- agreement is just the first step, and lines will also explore a number of was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ serve our users. By hosting the 2021 provides the foundation for libraries bar Al Baker said: “We are pleased we look forward to working with joint commercial and operational by the 2019 World Airline Awards, IFLA Interlending and Document to support education, research, and to further expand our code-share co- Qatar Airways to further strengthen initiatives to further optimise their managed by Skytrax. It was also Supply Conference, the library is scientific advancement. We believe operation with Oman Air, one of the our strategic partnership to enhance partnership. named ‘Best Airline in the Middle reaffirming our support for this im- that Qatar National Library will be leading airlines in the Gulf region. the business and leisure travel expe- QA’s strategic investment in East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’ portant field, and we look forward to the perfect venue to showcase pres- Now more than ever, it is important rience for our customers in Oman a variety of fuel-efficient, twin- and ‘Best Business Class Seat’ in welcoming delegates from around the entations, papers and cutting-edge to strengthen strategic partnerships and throughout the world.” engine aircraft, including the larg- recognition of its ground-breaking world to participate in these impor- innovation by industry leaders from across the industry to optimise our The code-share expansion will est fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft, Business Class experience, Qsuite. tant discussions.” around the world.” operations and provide seamless significantly increase the number has enabled it to continue flying The Qsuite seat layout is a 1-2-1 Akbar Al Baker, secretary-general Topics to be discussed include connectivity to hundreds of destina- of destinations available to Oman throughout this crisis and perfectly configuration, providing passengers of QNTC and chief executive of Qa- resource sharing, copyrights, open tions across the globe for our pas- Air passengers from three to 65 on positions it to lead the sustainable with the most spacious, fully private, tar Airways Group, stated: “We are science, pandemic effects on ILL ser- sengers. Since 2000, both airlines the QA’s network across Africa, the recovery of international travel. comfortable and social distanced pleased to have won the bid to host the vices, the importance of digitisation have seen the benefits that com- Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, In- The airline recently took delivery Business Class product in the sky. ILDS conference, as it further estab- on collection sharing and ways to mercial cooperation has brought, dia and the Middle East. QA pas- of three new state-of-the-art Airbus It is the only airline to have been lishes Qatar’s reputation in the knowl- enhance cooperation among lending providing our passengers with un- sengers will also benefit from addi- A350-1000 aircraft, increasing its awarded the coveted ‘Skytrax Air- edge space. Business events are a key institutions. rivalled service and more flexibility tional connectivity, with the ability total A350 fleet to 52 with an av- line of the Year’ title, which is recog- part of our tourism strategy, and is an The library’s Interlending and to travel when they want. I look for- to book travel on an additional six erage age of just 2.6 years. Due to nised as the pinnacle of excellence in area showing sustained growth, allow- Document Supply Service is free for ward to further strengthening our destinations across Africa and Asia COVID-19’s impact on travel de- the airline industry, five times. ing us to leverage Qatar’s offerings in all members. ‘Love of horses is the only prerequisite to volunteer at EVMC’ Qatar Foundation’s Equine Veterinary Medical Center offers a unique volunteer opportunity for university students TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK be by their side. DOHA “These foals are baby animals and just like human STUDENTS at Qatar Foun- babies. They need stimula- dation (QF) have a unique tion, interaction and sup- opportunity to learn more port. And just the warmth about veterinary medicine of having somebody who through an educational vol- can give them a few hours unteer programme designed of dedicated undivided at- to equip them with the skills tention is vital for their heal- and knowledge they need to ing process and makes them help take care of critically ill much happier. neonatal equine patients. “We have an amazing The volunteer pro- opportunity as we are affili- gramme, the ‘Foal Sitting ated with a number of uni- Project’, offered by the versities and may have many Equine Veterinary Medical people who are interested in Center (EVMC), a QF mem- horses, or who are looking to ber, aims to engage uni- pursue an equine or veteri- versity students providing nary related career, and we critical and intensive care thought we can harness this for newborn foals, who are resource through offering a either sick with infectious volunteer opportunity.” disease, or who have had According to Dr Jamie- The volunteer programme ‘Foal Sitting Project’ offered by EVMC aims to engage university students providing critical and intensive care for newborn foals, who are either sick birth trauma, and need a lot son, foal sitters do not need with infectious disease, or who have had birth trauma, and need a lot of support during the first 24 to 48 hours through the first two weeks of their lives.