Getting to graduation
Page 4
Thursday 22 april 2010
Cooperation Qatar Foundation announces groundbreaking initiatives with UK bodies
QF makes an impact in London
From the grand halls of Windsor
Castle to the drawing rooms of The
Royal Society, Qatar Foundation
marked 15 years of achievement in
the UK by hosting and attending a
number of high-profile events, as well
as cementing agreement on several
groundbreaking initiatives.
The events, held from 6 to 8 April
as part of celebrations for the Foundation’s 15th anniversary, included the
launch of Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing (BQFP) at Windsor
Castle at the invitation of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II, and in the presence of His Royal Highness (HRH)
The Duke of Edinburgh; a performance by Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) at the Royal Albert Hall,
conducted by Maestro Lorin Maazel
and Dr Salem Abdul-Karem; a prelaunch of Qatar Science and Technology Park’s (QSTP) Qatar Robotic
Surgery Center at the Royal Academy
of Engineering; a book reading by
new BQFP authors at The Tate Modern Gallery; and a sidra tree planting
ceremony and launch of the Qur’anic
Garden exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the presence
of HRH The Prince of Wales.
Attended by Her Highness Sheikha
Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned, His
Excellency Dr Hamad bin Abdul
Aziz al Kuwari, Minister of Culture,
Arts & Heritage, and a delegation of
Continues on page 2
60 seconds
Discover the soulful nature
of Ezzedin Ben abdennebi,
Executive program
Coordinator, Qatar Faculty of
islamic Studies, and his love
for restoring antique cameras,
his German shepherd, and
couscous with fish.
Turn to page 6 for more details
Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip at Windsor Castle
How Do I...
QNB banking services
n Have you ever asked
yourself where you can
get help with QNB banking
services? What documents
you need to open a bank
account? Where you can you find an aTM?
Turn to page 5 to learn more about QNB in Education City
»One key benefit
of automation is
increasing employees’
productivity and
reducing the waste
in our processes.«
Samer abu Taha, Service Manager
in the iT Directorate
Turn to page 4 to read more
Maher aTTar/hhOPL
2
Qatar Foundation Telegraph.
Thursday 22 April 2010
News
VCUQATAR
HOSTS HEALTH
AND WELLNESS
FAIR
Virginia Commonwealth
University in Qatar (VCUQatar)
hosted its annual Health and
Wellness week from 4 to 8 April
for faculty, staff and students to
give advice on a healthy lifestyle
and create awareness about how
to avoid common conditions such
as heart disease, diabetes and
hypertension.
COMING UP
Saudi Arabian singer Abdul
Majid Abdullah will perform some
of his hits in a concert at Senior
Convocation on 5 May. The popular
singer, best known for boosting
Khaliji music with romantic
songs and his charming style, has
collaborated with some of the most
distinguished Arab composers and
poets during his career. He has
released around a dozen albums,
the most recent one titled Malyon
Khater.
CONTACT US
COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE
Qatar Foundation Publications Manager
[email protected]
Qatar Foundation Translation Unit
[email protected]
EDITORIAL
Publisher
Philip Fenton
Editor
Brigitte Scheffer, [email protected]
+974 343 9744
Deputy Editor
Melissa Sleiman
+974 618 5540
DESIGN
Creative Director
Fred Dittlau
Arabic Designer
Mohammad Marei
Photography
Adrian Haddad
Maher Attar / HHOPL
©Qatar Foundation. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced without the written
permission of Qatar Foundation and the Publisher.
Write to us: [email protected]
QF makes an impact in London
»We just signed an
MoU between Qatar
Foundation and
The Royal Society.
I signed it myself to
send a signal to the
Arab world and the
Islamic world about
the importance of
science. In order
for us to enjoy a
renaissance in this
field, we need to
send this message to
leaders, particularly
to academic leaders,
and social leaders,
about the importance
of science.«
Continued from page 1
QF dignitaries, the visit highlighted
the close ties between the UK and
Qatar, and underlined QF’s growing
international reputation.
The first event of the trip was held
at Windsor Castle. The Queen, Her
Highness and HRH The Duke of
Edinburgh greeted guests and Qatari
students in a grand reception room
at Windsor Castle, where cups of tea
and canapés were served. On display
was a gift to Her Highness and the
Queen from BQFP, a book about
Abu Derya, a traditional story about
Qatar’s pearl fishing past.
This was followed by QPO’s first
ever concert at the Royal Albert Hall,
which was attended by His Excellency
Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al Kuwari.
The next morning, QSTP, Hamad
Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar gave
a pre-launch ceremony at the Royal
Academy of Engineering for the Qatar
Robotic Surgery Center, a new joint
project with academics and surgeons
from Imperial College London.
Just minutes afterwards, Her Highness personally signed a Memorandum of Understanding between QF
and the Royal Society, which will see
QF become a leading partner in a
project to launch the Atlas of IslamicWorld Science and Innovation, which
aims to explore science and innovation across a diverse selection of countries with large Muslim populations in
the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
IN THE presence of Lord Martin
Rees, President of the Royal Society,
Her Highness spoke eloquently about
the importance of science for the
Arab world. “We just signed an MoU
between Qatar Foundation and The
Royal Society,” she said. “I signed it
myself to send a signal to the Arab
world and the Islamic world about
Her Highness Sheikha Mozah
bint Nasser Al-Missned
the importance of science. In order
for us to enjoy a renaissance in this
field, we need to send this message
to leaders, particularly to academic
leaders, and social leaders, about the
importance of science.”
Later that day, BQFP launched its
first list of books at the Tate Modern
Gallery in London with readings
from two of its leading authors, Suad
Amiry, from Ramallah, and Iraqiborn Inaam Kachachi.
Contest Photographers urged to enter
Changing perceptions
YOUNG QATARIS are being urged
to contact the Social Development
Center to find out how they can par-
New environmental portal to
create awareness
A new website has been launched by the Qatar Green Building
Council (QGBC) which marks an important period of activity for QGBC
and the awareness of sustainability issues within the region, along
with a new educational link with Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar
(CMU-Q). Details can be found at www.qatargbc.org.
ticipate in a photography contest for
vocational work-based skills. In collaboration with Qatar Photographic
Kachachi read two sections from
her novel The American Granddaughter, which was shortlisted for the
International Arabic Prize for
Fiction last year. Amiry read from
her new novel entitled Nothing to Lose
But Your Life: An 18-hour journey with
Murad, captivating the audience with
her humor and story-telling skills.
Later in the week, an agreement was
signed between BQFP and Algerian
author, Ahlam Mustaghnami, for the
translation into English of her book
Nisyan.com.
The visit concluded on 8 April with
a sidra tree planting ceremony at Kew
Gardens, attended by Her Highness
and HRH The Prince of Wales. This
was followed by the opening of the
Qur’anic Garden exhibition and the
signing of another ground-breaking
agreement between QF and Kew.
“I am delighted that today Qatar
Foundation and the Royal BotanicGardens, Kew, have signed a Letter
of Intent to exchange plant material,
to conduct studies and share information about plants in arid zones,
and for Kew to conserve the seeds of
Qatari plants in the Millennium Seed
Bank,” said Dr Saif Al Hajari, Vice
Chairperson at QF.
Society, Qatari men and women aged
from 15 to 35 have until 29 April to
submit an image which reflects vocational work-based skills.
A panel will choose three winners
and the first prize will be a loan from
Mesameel fund for QR25,000. The
first runner-up will get either a full
training package at the Qatar Beauty
Academy, if it is a woman, with a Tan-
mia training package and QR4,500
for men. The third prize is a training course package at the First Step
Training program and QR3,500.
The photos will be displayed in
a touring exhibition, which will be
open to the public, in several locations around Doha, starting at VCUQatar, Souq Waqif and ending at Villagio Mall.
Floating cultural landmark opens
doors to visitors
Bringing the voice of the traditional past to engage with the future
of Qatar, Dohaland’s Knowledge Enrichment Centre, the new landmark
moored off Doha Corniche, has now opened its doors to the public from
3.00pm to 6.00pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays; entrance is
free.
Qatar Foundation Telegraph.
Thursday 22 April 2010
News
Write to us: [email protected]
Education Qatar Academy teacher to run London Marathon
Raising funds for leukemia victims
IN JUST a few days, Qatar Academy
teacher Sharon Lofton will be running in the Virgin London Marathon,
hoping to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust, which helps those
suffering from leukemia.
Earlier this year the Grade 1 classroom teacher ran the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon and has been
training hard ever since, getting up at
4am to beat the heat.
“I have completed two marathons
so far but I have always wanted to
run in the London Marathon. This
year I am privileged to be able to do
that and raise money for this great
charity,” said Lofton. The course is
a grueling 26 miles and 385 yards
long, passing through the streets of
London with over 10,000 people expected to take part.
Since the first race in 1981,
746,635 runners have passed the finish line and raised more than £400
million for charities and good causes.
Last year alone a staggering £47.2
million was raised, making the event
a Guinness World Record holder as
the largest annual fundraising event
on the planet.
QF PEOPLE
3
For the month of February, QF
welcomes 12 new staff members
Thanaa Award for the month of March
The Thanaa Award is given to
employees of Qatar Foundation
and its centers to reward
and recognize praiseworthy
performance. The following
employees were given the award
during March 2010 for their
exemplary services and dedication
to work.
From Human Resources:
Moneera Hassan Abdulla Al Obaidly
Hanan Hassan Farajalla
Wafa Ahmed Al Ansari
Hilal Abdul Rahim Karbelkar
From Capital Projects Development:
Mubarak Mohammed M. Al Khulaifi
Rasha Khamis Al Sulaiti
Shaikha Mahmoud Abdul Kareem Al
Mahmoud
From Education Division:
Rekha Zachariah
From Facilities Management:
Gnanaprakash Dominic Vincent Aranha
From IT:
Abul Rahman Omar Hasna
Alaa Suleiman Qadan
From Finance:
Asiq Rasool
From The Doha Debates:
Ulysees Polacco
From Communication:
Kumaran Cheyyur Santhakumar
From Qatar Academy:
Beverly Anna Stubbs
Michael Hitchman
Send us your staff news at [email protected]
If you wish to donate or wish Sharon
luck, you can go to the website http://
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SharonLofton
Communications High-speed network being tested
Great leap forward
THE QATAR Foundation Research &
Education Network (QFREN) will
begin the testing of an ultra highspeed technology platform in May
which will increase QF universities’
and research centers’ ability to collaborate both between themselves
and education and research bodies
around the world.
It will enable them to develop, host
and share programs and services at
the cutting edge of computing, high
definition television, medical procedural training, distance learning and
educational program streaming.
QFREN’s backbone network is
expected to start testing at 40 gigabits per second, aiming to achieve 100
gigabits per second in the future.
This will then be connected to
the Internet2 network in the United
Kids Carnival
States which has been led by the research and education community
since 1996.
Internet2 helps its academic, research and industry members by
The Key to Medicine and a Guide for Students
This book is part of the Books from Islamic Civilization series
and has been reviewed and published by the Center on Muslim
Contributions to Civilization which recently joined Qatar Faculty of
Islamic Studies (QFIS). The book was written originally by Abu Faraj
Ibn Hindu, a medical scholar, poet and calligrapher who lived in 10th
Century AD Persia.
providing network capabilities and
partnership opportunities which facilitate the development, deployment
and use of revolutionary Internet
technologies.
QF’s Football Pitch 2 was transformed into a place of fun and games during Cool Kids
Carnival. More than 3,000 adults and children enjoyed kermis games, bright-colored
jumping castles, camel and pony rides and other activities on Saturday 10 April. The
outdoor event, organized by Community Support, accommodated not only children but
families as a whole and brought together people from all age groups.
Royal visits to Qatar Foundation
In April, Her Royal Majesty Princess Lalla Salma, Princess Consort of
King Mohammed VI of Morocco, pictured left, visited with a delegation
from the Moroccan embassy in Qatar and received a gift from Dr
Abdelali Al Haoudi, Vice President for Research at Qatar Foundation. On
a separate trip, Her Royal Highness Queen LaNgangaza from Swaziland
and her entourage toured Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar.
4
Qatar Foundation Telegraph.
Thursday 22 April 2010
Perspective
Write to us: [email protected]
COLUMN
SAMER ABU TAHA
Leaner and greener:
A drive for
automation
CAR MAKE … Honda. Car Model
… Pilot. Color … Dark blue. Now I
just have to type my car registration
information, attach a copy of the
registration card and then submit
the online application. The system
will send an email to my manager
informing him about my vehicle
permit request. Once he approves
it, my electronic request reaches the
security department for approval.
This is one of many electronic
forms that each employee fills on
a daily basis to request services
from the different QF directorates.
Automation has been meshed into
our daily activity. But what is its
impact?
One key benefit of automation is
increasing employees’ productivity
and reducing the waste in our
processes. One excellent example
is the leave request automation.
The time it takes for these to go
through has now dropped from an
average of 12 to two days. Little
information is left to be filled by
the leave requester and the HR
involvement is only required when
there are exceptions in the request.
Most importantly, unlike the
paper form, electronic applications
are routed between the different
approvers within seconds.
ANOTHER KEY benefit of
automation is supporting QF
green initiatives. On average the
different QF directorates process
2,000 automated customer
applications on a monthly basis.
Our paper waste and carbon
footprint as an organization are
both down as a result.
That all sounds good. So why
not automate all our processes
to become leaner and greener?
Well, besides allocating budgets
and aligning resources to deliver
automation, a fundamental point
which is usually overlooked is
that automation has a necessary
and often unwelcome impact:
changing how we do things.
Automation projects usually
involve some reengineering of the
existing manual process. Making
this transition can sometimes be
»On average
the different QF
directorates process
2,000 automated
customer
applications on a
monthly basis.«
difficulty for the process owners
or beneficiaries. Helping these
stakeholders to accommodate
the changes ensures the success
of the automation projects. This
can be achieved by conducting
joint workshops and investing
in training users. Addressing
their queries after the changes
are implemented also ensures
a smooth transition to the new
automated processes.
Convocation Nearly 200 students to graduate on 4 May
Getting to graduation
IN SOME scenarios the
reengineering exercise can
encounter complications leading
to the the existing process being
automated with its inefficiencies
or exceptions intact. I call these
situations: Automating Waste
or Wasting Automation. The
outcome is a complex and lengthy
automated process with a marginal
benefit.
As professionals in different
disciplines we need to take
advantage of the benefits of
automation to improve our
personal and team productivity
and enhance our customers’
experience. I for one am a
satisfied customer: the security
department has just sent me an
email approving my request. I can
collect the vehicle permit in two
days.
COLUMNIST
Samer Abu Taha
is the Service Manager in the
IT Directorate
If you’d like to see your column published in QFTelegraph, send us an
email at [email protected]
NEARLY 200 students from Educa-
tion City (EC) universities will be
celebrating their graduation during
the third annual Senior Convocation
at Ceremonial Court on 4 May.
While each university carries its
own graduation ceremony, this Convocation will unify students from
all across EC. At the kick-off of the
event, the graduating class will gather
on stage and sing the EC anthem,
Madinat Al-Elm.
And while the Convocation is
mainly a celebration for graduating
students, EC alumni have also been
invited to attend.
MASTER’S STUDENTS
Education City’s first batch of Master’s students will be graduating after
years of balancing their studies with
a full-time job and personal relationships. A total of 25 students will be
awarded a Master of Arts in Public
Policy in Islam by Qatar Faculty of
Islamic Studies (QFIS).
Facing a “big challenge” when it
came to time management, it took
patience and determination to obtain
the degree, according to Safa Salah
Al Kubti, one of the graduates and
an administrative assistant at QFIS.
“Thankfully, it was worth it,” she
added.
But while the workload was tough,
it was also very enriching, said Salwa
Hamed Al Mulla, one of the QFIS
Master’s students who also works as
Head of PR for the Chief Director’s
office at the State Audit Bureau in
Qatar.
“When I started studying public
policy I didn’t know that what we
learned applies to everything in life.
I found out that Islamic Shari’a is applied to many fields, such as economics and the environment, and is part
of the path in life.”
Al Kubti believes that studying
for a Master’s helped in getting better results at work. “Doing research
changes your world view and how
you analyze things. I’m very proud
that I studied in an open, intellectual place with people that were like a
family to me.”
»Doing research
changes your world
view and how you
analyze things. I’m
very proud that I
studied in an open,
intellectual place
with people that were
like a family to me.«
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
With more than 75 different countries currently represented in the Education City student body, this year’s
graduating class is also characterized
by diversity.
Sahar Mari, an honors student
from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) with a
double major in graphic and fashion
design, is one of the international
students who will be graduating this
year. Mari joined the branch campus
after having studied in Jordan for almost three years; she was born and
raised in Germany.
“What I found interesting was that
over here we get a very Western education that gets mixed up with the
culture of the Gulf,” she said. During
her studies at VCUQatar, she learned
to combine knowledge she obtained
growing up in Europe with that of
her diverse range of classmates.
“Some students were used to a totally different aesthetic. For example,
in a cartography class it was second
nature for me to set up a grid while
they would do something different. I
thought this was really interesting. I
like how we have all these opportunities and so many different cultures
come together in EC.”
THE NUMBERS GAME
Of the graduating students, 40 will be
graduating in design, more than 15 in
medicine, more than 45 in engineering, 26 in Islamic studies, around 35
from business, computer science and
information systems and more than
30 in foreign services.
Qatar Foundation Telegraph.
Thursday 22 April 2010
QF Spotlight
Write to us: [email protected]
5
How do I...?
QFTelegraph helps
make your life at
Education City easier
How can I get someone to help me
with QNB banking services?
Go to the QF branch of QNB
in Recreation Center, or get
in touch with Omah Comfort,
direct sales agent at the QF
branch. She can come to your
office to open a new account
with a direct debit card, apply
for credit cards, request loans
and other issues. Her direct
phone number is 4268413 and
her email address is comfort.
[email protected].
The general QNB customer
care center can be reached
24-hours–a-day on 4407777.
What documents are needed to
open a bank account?
Procurement Directorate Warehouse Catering to the storage needs of Qatar Foundation
Watch this space!
AS QATAR Foundation expands, so
does its need for storage space. And
this is one of Mohammed Al Doussari’s, the Warehouse Manager, biggest challenges.
“This is the only proper storage
facility that provides various services
to all QF departments and where all
that unwanted office equipment ends
up when staff move from one office
to another,” said Al Doussari. “It can
get quite full if I’m not careful.”
The warehouse, located near Education City community accommodation, has been functioning for just
over a year and is the central receiving point for all the material procured
for Qatar Foundation. When the material arrives it is inspected, a goods
receipt is issued, and the material is
dispatched to its end users.
A total of 25 people work in this
department, 12 of whom are Qatar
Foundation employees and the rest
contractors. They work in the three
divisions: Receive & Dispatch, Storage & Issue and Inventory Control.
In order to keep clutter to a minimum, Al Doussari also organizes
auctions for office furniture and IT
equipment which suppliers come and
bid for. This material is classified as
disposable.
“These auctions take place when
the disposal stock reaches a certain
level. In the future, I would like QF
staff to be able to bid at auctions and
I am working on it,” he says.
Aside from auctions, the warehouse
The warehouse
at a glance
»These auctions
take place when
the disposal stock
reaches a certain
level. In the future, I
would like QF staff
to be able to bid at
auctions and I am
working on it.«
Receive & Dispatch: responsible
for receiving and inspecting the
material and dispatching it to the
end users.
Storage & Issue: maintaining
the inventories of all categories of
material and processing the issue
request from end users, as well as
providing custodial, surplus and
disposal storage.
Inventory Control: planning the
inventory stock; replenishments;
maintaining assets and database.
is also an Aladdin’s cave of all sorts of
items, from stationery to communication materials, to spare parts, medical
equipment, and even golf carts.
“We maintain the inventories of
various categories of material like
stationery, spare parts, gifts and promotional items. A Center or Directorate requests the material as per their
needs and we deliver accordingly,”
says Al Doussari.
ANOTHER SERVICE provided by the
warehouse is the tagging of all the assets for QF and the provision of temporary material storage facilities for
all Qatar Foundation departments
and Centers.
Al Doussari has been busy introducing standard warehouse practices
and operation procedures.
“Manual processing has been replaced by automation of various
transactions and this is something we
are proud of as it has happened in a
short period. Soon we will be adding a bar-coding system and this will
speed things up even more,” he adds.
A new warehouse is currently being built in the industrial area.
You will have to fill out an
application form and provide a
passport copy. You will also be
requested to give a copy of your
Qatar ID card as soon as you
have obtained it. You will get
a debit card immediately after
opening the account.
Where can I find an ATM?
There are four QNB ATMs in
Education City at the following
locations: Recreation Center,
Al Jazeera Children’s Channel,
opposite the Liberal Arts and
Sciences building, and in Weill
Cornell Medical College in Qatar.
Do I need to maintain a certain
minimum balance on my account?
If you are a QF employee, no.
If you are a contractor, you will
need to have a minimum balance
of QR3,000 at all times. If you
fall below that amount, QR10
will be deducted per month.
How do I transfer money to
another account?
You can transfer money when
you visit a branch of QNB. If
you want to do it through the
internet, you will first have to
apply for internet banking on
the QNB website: www.qnb.
com.qa. Once you have access
to the service, you will have
to specify each beneficiary’s
account number and name
online. An employee will call
you for confirmation if a new
beneficiary is added.
Email us your work related
questions at [email protected],
and we will do our best to help you
Focus
The soulful nature of Ezzedin Ben Abdennebi, Executive Program Coordinator, Qatar
Faculty of Islamic Studies, as defined by
Seal, The Big Blue and Orientalist art.
What is your favorite pastime?
Name: Florante R. Gonzales
Title: Security Officer
Years at QF: 2
Describe your role: I work at the
reception of Portacabin 1 and
help visitors. If there are any
incidents, accidents or fire
alarms I file a report to the
control room of QF’s Security
department. I also patrol the
building and if I find items, such
as cell phones or documents,
I file a report on these too. In
the evening, after the cleaners
have left, I lock all the offices
and unlock them again in the
morning.
To enter the building, visitors
and contractors have to give
me their ID and I give them a
pass in exchange. Sometimes
they don’t understand why, so I
explain the procedure to them.
You need to be polite.
What I like about my job is…
The staff are friendly, and I like
helping people. I explain where
they can find the things they’re
looking for and guide them to
meeting rooms and different
departments.
I am a great fan of viewing
Orientalist paintings. They reflect the
fascination of Western artists with
the Arab and Muslim world. The
paintings are filled with color and
light, views of prestigious Islamic
cities, grandiose landscapes, antique
ruins, and exotic scenes of everyday
life in the East.
Who is your favorite actor?
Sir Ben Kingsley for his eloquence
and refined performance. He is bald
too! I had the pleasure of meeting
him during the Doha Tribeca Film
Festival. We discussed his latest
movies and I took a picture with him
and my baby girl. I was so happy
that day.
What is your favorite movie?
Le Grand Bleu. It’s a movie about
one man’s passion to be united
with the sea he loves and another
man’s obsession to dominate it.
This is a very spiritual film, which
communicates directly with the soul
and is distinguished by a strong
visual style.
invites people to meditate. He sings:
“In a sky full of people, only some
want to fly, isn’t that crazy?”
If you could meet a singer who would it be?
Definitely Seal. His vocals are deeply
melodic and soulful.
How do you relax?
I am working on enhancing my
photography skills with my Nikon
D90 camera. In the past, I used to
visit antique furniture stores and
look for unique pieces, ones I could
afford of course. I used to take them
home and enjoyed restoring them.
»Le Grand Bleu. It’s
a movie about one
man’s passion to be
united with the sea
he loves and another
man’s obsession to
dominate it.«
Couscous with fish: a delicious
traditional Tunisian dish. You should
try it.
Crazy from Seal. It’s a song that
I used to have a huge German
Shepherd when I was living in Tunis.
He was well trained and a great
companion. When I came to Qatar,
I was impressed by the beauty of the
Arabian horses. I wish I could own
one of these exceptional creatures.
Culture: Musical show at Qatar Academy
Oliver! captivates audiences with singing and dancing
onstage wonder with a talented cast
drawn from different educational institutions within QF.
BRINGING TOGETHER a diverse cast
of staff and students from the Qatar
Foundation (QF) community, this
year’s version of the renowned British musical Oliver! was action-packed
and highly entertaining.
After three months of rehearsals,
the show ran for a week and featured a larger number of actors and
more technical effects than Producer
Jane Griffiths’s earlier performances
in 2000, which starred only Qatar
Academy students.
Originally a 1960 production in
London’s West End written by Lionel Bart, Oliver! has since been famously produced on Broadway as
well as other American and British
theaters. Ten years after bringing the
QF
FD
’R
OW
HEN THEY
Do you have a pet?
What food do you like?
What would be your theme song?
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Send us an email at [email protected]
NO
T AT
Ezzedin Ben Abdennebi
F
TA
WHAT S
MY QF
Write to us: [email protected]
E
6
Qatar Foundation Telegraph.
Thursday 22 April 2010
THE CHARLES Dickens’ rags-to-riches
widely appreciated musical to Qatar,
the producer-director (and fatherdaughter) team of Steve and Jane
Griffiths have once again created an
classic tells the story of a mistreated
workhouse orphan, Oliver Twist
(David Sztankov), who is sold by
Mr Bumble (Omar Alouba), the
owner of the workhouse, to an abusive undertaker, Bill Sykes (Carlton
Connell), after he dares to ask for a
second helping of food. Escaping
Sykes’s grip, he makes it to London
where he becomes friends with The
Artful Dodger (Nicolas Roberto)
who helps him get hired as a pickpocket in Fagin’s (Mike Hitchman)
gang. Sykes’s friend, Nancy (Jane
and Alouba’s witty sarcasm on marital harmony, Griffiths’ role as Nancy
humorously portrayed the economic
and social concerns of the time.
CONDUCTED BY Griffiths himself, the
Griffiths), has a soft spot for Oliver
and continually discourages Sykes
from torturing him, even as she frequently breaks into song with As long
as he needs me, her ballad for Sykes.
As young Sztankov questions Oliver’s fate with a soulful Where is love?,
Griffiths projects a holistic nuance of
child labor as a cruel reality of lower
class 19th century London. Through
Hitchman’s penny-pinching behavior
»The actors’ brilliant
facial expressions did
justice to Griffiths’
rendition of the
musical.«
orchestra included members of the
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra who
breathed life into Bart’s music and
lyrics.
While the actors’ brilliant facial expressions did justice to Griffiths’ rendition of the musical, there was the
occasional lack of coordination in the
otherwise well-choreographed dance
sequences. But, as they mocked the
upper class on a packed stage in I’d do
anything this shortcoming was overshadowed by the colorful extravaganza of velvet Victorian-style cloaks and
silk scarves. Designed by Jane Griffiths, the costumes represented the
fashion of 19th century London with
their puffed sleeves and crisscrossed
bodices.
Qatar Foundation Telegraph.
Thursday 22 April 2010
Time Off
Write to us: [email protected]
Winners
meet Jood
Al Shaqab
From left to right; Alia Abdulla Alazab – winner; Fabricio Abreu –
Al Shaqab horse trainer with Jood; Hamda Zain – winner
7 – 8pm QNRF Research Matters (R)
RADIO
MONDAY
3 – 4pm Music & Highlights
4 – 5pm Cover to Cover
6 – 7pm Best of Breakfast
7 – 9pm Lakom Al Karar
ALIA ABDULLA Alazab (left),
University Receptionist at
VCUQatar and Hamda Zain (right),
Communications Administrative
Assistant at Sidra Medical and
Research Center were the two
contestants who submitted the
winning name – Jood Al Shaqab
– and visited Al Shaqab to see this
rising star. “In Arabic Jood means
generosity. Throughout history
the Arabian horse has given so
much to mankind that it is only
fitting that Jood Al Shaqab was
the name chosen for this potential
show ring star,” said Tony Terry,
Communication Manager for Al
Shaqab.
7
READERS’
LETTERS
Write to QFTelegraph at
[email protected] to have your say.
Dear Editor,
Many thanks to the staff at Al
Shaqab and the QFTelegraph for
your generous hospitality and
allowing me the opportunity to meet
these great horses.
I would like to thank you for the
amazing tour of Al Shaqab and
giving me the chance to meet the
awesome Arabian horses, including
Jood Al Shaqab and her mother,
Vanitie Fair.
They are such treasures to the
Arabian breed, words cannot
describe their beauty. I am very
lucky that Jood Al Shaqab has been
selected as the wining name for such
a lovely foal.
Hamda Zain, Communications
Administrative Assistant, Sidra Medical
and Research Center
Conditions of submission
Requests for inclusion and submissions of material must be made no later than two weeks in
advance of publication. Requests and submission of information may be made by email only directly
to the relevant QFTelegraph journalist or to [email protected]. Any articles written will be treated as
correct and approved by the Sender and his or her Department/Center, as will recorded interviews.
Interviews given may not be recalled or changed unless containing substantial errors of fact.
Interviews and information received will be treated as confidential until published. The publisher’s
decision on all matters of content and style is final.
Fun & Games
QFTelegraph is searching for submission of Arabic-language cartoons to fill this space! Please send artwork to [email protected]
TUESDAY
10 – 10.30am QFIS Talk
3 – 4pm QFIS Talk
6 – 7pm Music & Highlights
7 – 8pm Air Play Journals (R)
8 – 9pm Lakom Al Karar
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Puzzle by websudoku.com
SU DO KU
THE RULES ARE SIMPLE
Fill in the grid so that every row, every
column and every 3x3 box contains the
digits 1 through to 9.
SOLUTION
2
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My favorite part of living in Qatar are the
people and particularly my relationships with
the women who reside here in Doha. They are
warm, funny, caring and can make any bad
day seem like a humorous adventure by their
reactions to daily trials and tribulations. I
never used to be someone who liked to ‘have
coffee’ or long lunches but the company of the
female friends and colleagues I’ve met make it
easy to take a break in a hectic day and make
time for what’s really important - a chance to
connect with someone else’s experience.
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Reading & Writing Development
Director, Bloomsbury Qatar
Foundation Publishing
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Mohanalakshmi
Rajakumar
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My Favorite...
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1 – 2pm, Daily Lunchtime concert
4 – 5pm Air Play Journals
6 – 7pm Music & Highlights
5 – 6am QNRF Research Matters (R)
3 – 4pm Music & Highlights
4 – 5pm Cover to Cover, BQFP (R)
6 – 7pm Music & Highlights
8 – 9pm Lakom Al Karar
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Breakfast
THURSDAY
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5
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5 – 6am QFIS Talk (R)
9 – 10am, Daily, 8 – 9pm Lakom Al Karar
10 – 10.30am Cover to Cover
11am – 12pm, Daily From the Podium
12 – 1pm, Daily, 5 – 6pm Best of
10 – 10.30am QNRF Research Matters
3 – 4pm Music & Highlights
6 – 7pm Music & Highlights
8 – 9pm Lakom Al Karar
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SUNDAY
WEDNESDAY
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New for April. Full listings at qfradio.org.qa
8
Listings
WE RECOMMEND...
ARABIC
WRITNG
COURSE
Thurs, 8 April, and Tues, 13
April onwards
Adam Abuzuhri Al-Hasani
teaches the basics of Arabic
writing to students with
intermediate Arabic language
skills, every Tuesday and
Thursday until 13 May. The
cost for 12 classes is QR 300.
Shafallah Conference Room,
Community & Recreation
Center (C&RC)
FACILITIES
TIMINGS
HEALTH & FITNESS
Fitness Center
Sun – Sat: 5.30am – 10pm
Qatar Foundation Telegraph.
Thursday 22 April 2010
Write to us: [email protected]
Circuit
Mon,Thurs: 4pm – 4.45pm
Yoga
One of Many is VCUQatar’s Annual
Fashion Show and will take place on
Thursday 6 May at VCUQatar Atrium
Mon,Wed: 5pm – 6pm
Ladies: Wed: 4pm – 5pm
SOCIAL
Cricket
Sun: 7pm – 9pm
Ladies Fitness Room
Sun - Sat: 5.30am – 10pm
Tennis
Spa
Mon: 6pm – 9pm
Thurs: 5pm – 7pm
Ladies: Sun, Mon: 4pm – 7pm
Men: Wed,Thurs: 4pm – 7pm
Water polo
Tues,Thurs: 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Swimming Pools
Sun – Thurs: Olympic pool
(EC Members): 2.30pm –
3.30pm
All pools (EC Members):
3.30pm – 7.30pm (men will
be requested to leave at
Sun: 5pm and Wed: 5.30pm)
Fri, Sat: All pools (Public):
9am – 6pm
Ladies Swimming (EC
Members)Sun: 5pm – 8pm,
Wed: 5.30pm – 7.30pm
CLASSES
Basketball
Tues: 7pm – 9pm
Badminton
Wed: 6pm – 9pm
Fri: 10am – 1pm
Squash
Thurs: 5pm – 7pm
Ladies: Sat: 4pm – 5pm
Ladies Soccer
Mon: 7pm – 9pm
Floor ball
Ladies Fitness
Tues: 7pm – 9pm
Mon,Wed: 4pm – 5pm
Sat: 10.30am – 11.30am
Indoor football
Wed: 5.30pm – 7pm
Karate
EVENTS
Sun,Wed: 5.15pm – 6.15pm
Spinning
Sun: 6pm – 7pm
Mon,Wed: 6.15pm – 7.15pm
Tues,Thurs: 5pm – 6pm
Fri: 9.30am – 10.30am
Location for all activities:
Recreation Center, call 454 0805
or email [email protected]
APRIL & MAY 2010
Mehran Kamrava
WE RECOMMEND...
CROCHET
CLASS
Mon, 26 April, 4pm – 6pm
This beginners’ course will
teach you the basics about
yarns, hooks, and stitches.
At the end of the class,
you will be able to create
scarves, hats, bags, toys,
and more.
Qurm Hall, Community &
Recreation Center (C&RC)
For registration, email
Dina Al Falasi:
[email protected]
Mon, 26 April, 6pm – 8pm
Mehran Kamrava, Dean of
Georgetown University –
School of Foreign Service
in Qatar (SFS-Qatar), will
speak about the 2020 Vision
of the Middle East in a lecture
organized by SFS-Qatar’s
Center for International &
Regional Studies.
Ritz Carlton Hotel, Bahrain
For more information,
visit http://cirs.georgetown.
edu/91242.html
Learn to Make Cards
Wed, 28 April, 1.30pm –
2.30pm
You will learn how to make
your own stylish greeting
cards using techniques such as
layering, stenciling, embossing,
quilting, weaving and popup. No previous skills are
necessary to join the classes.
Registration is open to eightyear-olds and above. Materials
and tools are included in the
cost of QR200.
Al Awsaj Room, C&RC
For registration, call Somaiya
Ansari on 5091606
Senior Exhibition
Mon, 3 May – Fri, 20 August
This juried exhibition
showcases the final thesis
projects plus a selection of
the most noteworthy work
of the senior students from
the Fashion, Graphic and
Interior Design departments
of Virginia Commonwealth
University in Qatar
(VCUQatar). The range
of media used includes
illustration, photography,
typography and publication.
VCUQatar Gallery
For more information, visit
www.qatar.vcu.edu or call
492 7200
One of Many
Thurs, 6 May, 6.30pm
VCUQatar’s Annual Fashion
Show is both a formative and
culminating element of the
Fashion Design program,
launching students into their
careers. This celebration
of fashion brings together
spectators, friends and fashion
enthusiasts, not only to judge
or admire the collections of
the students, but also for the
unique atmosphere of this
grand spectacle.
VCUQatar Atrium
For more information, visit
www.qatar.vcu.edu
in Qatar (CMU-Q) is inviting
students to submit their
business plans and will select
teams for the competition on
19 and 20 May on the basis
of their submitted plans. The
winning team will win prize
money expected to be in
excess of QR100,000, to be
put in a start-up venture as an
investment. The registration
deadline is 10 May.
Submit your business plan
and the names of your team
members on www.qatar.cmu.
edu/bpc
Location: tbc
Translation Conference
Wed, 19 May and Thurs, 20
May
In Continuing Conversation:
Translating Culture, panels
of top literary translators
will discuss philosophies
and strategies of translation.
Groups of translators will
meet in workshops with
leading practitioners and
educators to focus on various
aspects of the craft in relation
to Arabic/English and English/
Arabic translation.
For more information, visit
http://qatar.cmu.edu/771/
translation
CMU-Q
Business Plan Competition 2010
Wed, 19 May and
Thurs, 20 May
Carnegie Mellon University
Have your event listed. Send us
an email at [email protected]