3rd Best News Website in the Middle East BUSINESS | 22 QATAR SPORT | 31 UNDER SIEGE Mexico looks TH Serena targets to expand into 129 Australian Qatari market DAY Open title Wednesday 11 October 2017 | 21 Muharram 1439 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7311 | 2 Riyals Emir honours leaders of the future Qatar University holds graduation of 40th batch (2017) of students; 775 receive degrees in various disciplines Irfan Bukhari The Peninsula mir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended the Graduation Cere- mony of Qatar University’s 40th batch (2017) of male students at Qatar National Convention Center Eyesterday. The ceremony was attended by Prime Min- ister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers, along with members of the university’s faculty administration and a large number of excited parents and other guests. The Emir also honoured outstanding stu- dents. A total of 775 graduates received their degrees in various disciplines. The ceremony started with recitation of the Holy Quran. The national anthem was played and a documentary film on Qatar University’s journey, achievements and development of its faculties, programmes, studies and research was also displayed. The excitement and joy of cheer- ful parents, siblings and friends of fresh graduates grew manifold due to presence of the Emir. In his speech, President of Qatar University Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham paid tribute to the late father Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani who founded the great institution. Referring to the unjust and illegal siege on Qatar, Dr Al Derham said that the successful response from Qatar to the siege had revealed wise political dealing from “deep strategic vision” of the State of Qatar under the leader- ship of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended the Graduation Ceremony of Qatar University’s 40th batch (2017) of male students at Qatar → Continued on page 2 National Convention Center yesterday. Huge jump in vessels Dr Al Kawari wins second docking at Hamad Port round of vote Sachin Kumar tonnes in August against The Peninsula The Peninsula 615,200 tonnes in August 2016. On a month-on-month E Dr Hamad bin amad Port, the largest (MoM) basis, the port saw 19.1 Abdulaziz Al Kawari, port in the Middle East, percent increase in number of H Qatar’s candidate for Hhas seen a huge rise of vessel coming as 136 vessels har- the post of Director-General 47.3 percent in number of ves- boured at the port in July 2017. of Unesco, has won the sec- sels coming and a 110.7 percent Net tonnage at the port rose by ond round of elections with rise in the tonnage in August. 5.3 percent on MoM basis. 20 votes out of the total 58 The port harboured 162 vessels A total of 602 vessels har- cast. in August this year compared boured at all the ports in Qatar Dr Al Kawari competed in to 110 vessels in the same in August this year. the second round yesterday month last year. Net tonnage at with five candidates after the the port rose to 1,296,300 → Continued on page 3 withdrawal of the candidate from Azerbaijan, to succeed the outgoing Director-Gen- eral, Bulgarian Irina Bokova. In the first round, Dr Al Kawari Nasser Al Attiyah wins OiLibya Rally won with 19 votes while com- peting with six candidates. The candidates compet- ing for the post with Al Kawari are from France ranked second with 13 votes, Vietnam who won 5 votes, China 5, Lebanon 3, Vietnam 5 and Egypt 12 votes. The winner will be announced by October 13. The General Conference will elect the Executive Board at its 39th session on November 10, with the participation of the 195 member states. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah along with his teammates celebrates after sealing victory in OiLibya Rally of Morocco QA named Best Airline yesterday. The win also ensured a second successive World at Business Traveller title for the legendary rally driver. → See also page 29 Awards. >>Page 3 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017 Emir honours Qatar University graduates The President of QU called upon the graduates to remember their responsibilities towards God, their home, H H the Emir, and their parents in making the future of this country and preserving its values, role and mission. Continued from page 1 Praising the July 21 historic speech of H H the Emir, QU President said that it was a guiding light for the future stra- tegic steps of the State and the Qatari people. “QU today inspires its vision, stimulates its plans and draws its desired role in the light of speech of H H the Emir,” he noted. “We at Qatar University stand behind you, renewing the loyalty, understanding of the nature of the challenges, and what these challenges require in response to our role as a national university,” said Dr Al Derham, adding, “Qatar University is the leading national university for higher education in the State of Qatar with its creative human resources and some 20,000 students, stressing that it is committed to taking an active role at this stage.” He said that Qatar University had achieved a lot and had emerged in the skies of glory as it was among the best elite universities in the world. He said that 2018-2022 strategy of Qatar University would make a qualitative shift in its role in society. The President of QU called upon the graduates to remember their responsibilities towards God, their home, H H the Emir, and their parents in making the future of this country and preserving its values, role and mission. Abdullah Al Hajri, a student from the Collage of International Affairs, delivered a speech on behalf of the graduates and expressed his pride and gratitude to all professors, administrators, supervisors and employees, as well as partners, wives and children who contributed in achieving this success. “QU’s students today are reaping the benefits of a long- term effort to stand and feel happy and grateful to all partners in making this success. Qatar’s students, Qataris or residents, have pledged to be the building-power which Qatar seeks, plans and believes in.” Al Hajri expressed his joy and pride for this achievement, adding that it is time to return the favour to the country and pave the way for those who will come after them. WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2017 HOME 03 Qatar Airways wins Prime Minister meets CEO of Leonardo companies ‘Best Airline’ award The Peninsula and shortly to feature on the air- In addition to being line’s flights to New York. atar Airways yesterday Qsuite, patented by Qatar Air- announced it was voted ‘Best Airline’ by ways, features the industry’s named ‘Best Airline’ at travellers from around first-ever double bed available in the highly-respected the world at 2017 Business Class, with privacy pan- Q2017 Business Travel- els that stow away, allowing Business Traveller ler Awards, held on Monday at passengers in adjoining seats to London’s Royal Garden Hotel in Awards, the national create their own private room. Kensington. In addition to being Adjustable panels and movable carrier also won a raft Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani voted ‘Best Airline’ by travellers of other major awards TV monitors on the centre four from around the world, Qatar’s seats allow colleagues, friends or with Chief Executive Officer of Italian Leonardo companies, Alessandro Profumo. They national carrier also won a raft of at the ceremony, families travelling together to discussed areas of joint cooperation. other major awards at the cere- including ‘Best Airline transform their space into a pri- mony, including ‘Best Airline in in the Middle East,’ vate suite, allowing them to work, the Middle East,’ ‘Best Business ‘Best Business Class’ dine and socialise together. Class’ and ‘Best Long Haul One of the world’s fastest- and ‘Best Long Haul Airline.’ growing airlines, Qatar Airways FM meets UN Qatar Airways Group Chief Airline.’ recently added an array of new Ooredoo updates its Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: destinations to its global route “I am extremely proud that Qatar world’s premier global airline alli- network, including Dublin, chief’s envoy Airways has been recognised in ance. Qatar Airways, which was Republic of Ireland; Nice, France; Mobile Money services these four award categories. To earlier this year voted ‘Airline of Prague, Czech Republic and Kyiv, be voted ‘Best Airline,’ ‘Best Mid- the Year,’ ‘World’s Best Business Ukraine, soon to be followed by FOREIGN Minister H E Sheikh dle Eastern Airline,’ ‘Best Long Class,’ ‘Best First Class Lounge’ Chiang Mai, Thailand; Canberra, The Peninsula Using an Ooredoo Self- Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Haul Airline,’ and ‘Best Business and ‘Best Airline in the Middle Australia and St. Petersburg, Rus- Service Machine, the EazyPay Thani met yesterday with UN Class’ by the readers of Business East’ at the prestigious Skytrax sia. The airline operates a modern oredoo yesterday service through Qatar National Secretary-General’s Human- Traveller magazine is a significant Awards, continues to exceed fleet of 200 aircraft to a network announced that its Bank (QNB), or an Ooredoo itarian envoy, Dr Ahmed bin testimony of our passengers’ trust expectations with its global of key business and leisure des- OOoredoo Mobile Money Shop, Ooredoo Mobile Money Mohammed Al Muraikhi. in what we stand for, placing expansion, strategy and product tinations across Europe, the service has been updated to customers with a Full Wallet The meeting discussed the them first at every stage of a development.