The embassy of Singapore in Doha hosted a gala dinner recently, celebrating the more than 120 alumni of Qatar Leadership Centre (QLC)’s learning journeys to Singapore.
The event was attended by senior Qatari officials, QLC board members, senior management, alumni, and ambassadors from the Asia-Pacific region.
The QLC alumni comprised mid- to high-level officials from various Qatari ministries and entities, including defence, foreign affairs, energy, education, immigration, customs, finance, and the judiciary.
At the event, Sumaya Baqavi, chargé d’affaires of the Singaporean embassy, highlighted the enduring and special relationship between Qatar and Singapore.
“We are both small states that share common interests and challenges,” she said. “Our ties are based on mutual collaboration, exchanges of ideas, and more importantly, exchanges of people.”
In a video message, Singapore Civil Service College assistant chief executive Roger Tan said that the partnership had been “a journey of mutual growth and learning”.
Reflecting on the collaboration which started in 2013, he shared that 227 participants from Qatar participated the programme to date, allowing them to engage in meaningful exchanges, foster deep connections, and insightful discussions.
Two distinguished alumni of the QLC shared their reflections on their experiences.
Ministry of Defence medical director Major Dr Rafea Muftah al-Ghanem described her visit to Singapore as a transformative journey, highlighting Singapore’s cultural diversity and the celebration of differences.
Eman Salman al-Mohannadi, the director of the Ministry of Education’s Training and Development Centre, said that Qatar and Singapore shared many similarities as both were small states that achieved remarkable economic success through strategic planning and innovation.
Sumaya Baqavi with QLC alumni.