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As many as 12 projects from 10 countries are in contention for the WISE (World Innovation Summit for Education) Awards 2023 and the six winners are expected to be announced this month.WISE, a global education initiative of Qatar Foundation yearly awards six innovative projects from around the globe. The winners will be celebrated at the WISE 2023 in Doha from November 28-29. In addition to publicity and networking opportunities, each winning project will receive $20,000.The 2023 WISE Awards finalists are Fontán Relational Education (FRE) by Colegio Fontán Capital (Colombia); Shamba Letu by So They Can (Tanzania); Tekwill in Every School by ATIC (Moldova); International Common Assessment for Numeracy (ICAN) by PAL Network (Kenya); Transform Schools by People for Action (India); Thaki Digital Literacy Rights by Thaki (Lebanon); NaTakallam: Connecting Refugees & Language Learners Worldwide by NaTakallam (US); Transforming Education Systems by EIDU (Germany); Ahlan Simsim by IRC in partnership with Sesame Workshop (US); Biodivercities Nature-Based Education Network by OpEPA (Colombia); Catalysing ECE at Scale by Rocket Learning (India); and ELIFE by Fondation Tunisie pour le Développement (Tunisia).These projects have been selected for their innovative and impactful approaches to global educational challenges. This year’s finalists represent a diverse range of sectors and locations, showcasing a growing resource of expertise and sound educational practice. The projects emphasise the need for education to be inclusive and equitable, with many finalists working to ensure that marginalised communities have access to quality learning opportunities.Among the 12 finalists, the Fontan Relational Education project seeks to provide a respectful educational environment for all, providing methodologies and practices that highlight students’ individuality, empower their abilities and offer them life choices while Shamba Letu project establishes and cultivates school farms to improve food security in vulnerable communities in Babati, Tanzania.The Tekwill in Every School project is one of the largest educational programmes in Moldova, offering students equal educational opportunities driven by IT sector market needs and the next finalist ‘ICAN’ is a simple-to-use and scalable tool that measures children’s foundational numeracy.'Transform Schools’ programme enables students in Grades 6-10 in government middle and secondary schools to reach the right learning level in their states’ regional language, English, Math and Science and the next project ‘Thaki Digital Literacy Rights’ supports refugee and vulnerable learners who have limited or no access to digital education.‘NaTakallam’ project leverages technology to solve the challenge of millions of highly educated displaced persons and their host communities with no access to income while EIDU has developed an open platform which brings together the best educational interventions, helps governments to deploy them quickly and efficiently. The Ahlan Simsim initiative from the Middle East brings early childhood development and playful learning to children affected by conflict and crisis in the Middle East.The project, ‘Nature-based School Networks’ focuses on consolidating a learning community with citizenship skills that promote harmonising the people and nature relationship, allowing them to become planetary stewards and ensuring social wellbeing while ‘Rocket Learning’ builds early childhood and foundational learning at scale by connecting the government system, teachers and parents, and driving community change by systemically leveraging technology, media, and social incentives. Finally the ELIFE programme aims to build 10 technology centres dedicated to Tunisian youth in the ten most marginalised and disadvantaged regions of the interior of Tunisia.Since its inception in 2009, the WISE Awards have recognised and promoted 90 innovative projects, from over 150 countries.

Qatar has successfully focused in its engagement efforts on three main areas, namely : Alliance building and multilateralism; Peace facilitation and Investment in economic growth for future generations, noted HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani Friday .Speaking on ‘Small states: strategies for success in a competitive world’ at the inaugural edition of the lecture series of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore, HE Sheikh Mohamed said that alliance building and multilateralism is key for Qatar in a turbulent world.He explained: “It is in the centre of our foreign policy to preserve and empower multilateral framework and to fully advocate and embrace a rule based world order. Qatar has maintained effective cooperation with international and regional bodies and has been a member of various international bodies.”HE the Prime Minister also noted that Qatar has become a regional hub for multilateralism by opening numerous international offices in Doha. “We launched last March The UN House, which includes 12 UN offices. To maximise our impact at multilateral level, small states have to take an active international role with a clear voice and defend the international order and the rule of law which is important in fostering stability. Working together has never been more important,” he highlighted.As for the peace building initiatives of Qatar, HE Sheikh Mohamed pointed out that the country has been in the forefront of fostering peace.He continued: “We are at fostering peace building efforts to strengthen international peace which has been one of the pillars of our foreign policy for more than 25 years. Being a small country provides advantages in agility, mobility and building networks. Small countries can offer reliable channels of communication between countries which can serve as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with major powers in the international community.”Citing several examples of Qatar’s involvement in several peace brokering initiatives, he said: “Our region has a lot of potential and we hope that other small and medium countries can benefit from our collective experience.”HE Sheikh Mohamed then went on to emphasise on the third aspect of Qatar’s efforts in equipping the future generations with sufficient capabilities. “Our future lies in the hands of our generations to come and the last decades have taught us crucial lessons. These have inspired us to set out concrete plans which balance risks and rewards and take into account present demands and future needs of the generations to come.”He pointed out that it was vital for Qatar to ensure that a lasting legacy is built for the future. “ It is important for us carry on our wealth to our future generations. Using our wealth, we have invested in in our country and in our people. We have invested in education and infrastructure establishing state of the art airline, airport and sea port while becoming experts in logistics, technology and professional service. We have established Qatar Investment Authority to invest in Qatar’s future in diverse projects across the globe,” he added.

Qatar believes in the interdependence of the world community, noted HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani Friday at the inaugural edition of the lecture series of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore.Speaking at the event on the topic ‘Small states: strategies for success in a competitive world’ HE Sheikh Mohamed said that small states such as Qatar and Singapore have an important role to play in a world that has undergone great transformations in the last few years.“The world is witnessing the emergence of multiple centres of influence with political, economic and technological capabilities. Qatar believes in the interdependence of the world and the conviction makes it possible for the country to have a strong commercial partnership with China while maintaining a strategic alliance with the USA,” said HE the Prime Minister.He continued: “We were designated as the non-Nato ally of the US. Our ability to navigate in our relationship with the US and China is granted in our adoptability and diplomatic engagement. This not only serves Qatar’s national interests but also contributes to regional and global stability as well.”“The many conflicts that we have witnessed in several places make the small states think that they have no role to play in these but in essence it is quite the opposite. Small states at times are in a better position to resolve critical conflicts,” he explained.According to HE Sheikh Mohamed, small states are often more affected by geopolitical competitions and heightened tensions and economic insecurity. “Therefore we must be resilient and positively engage whenever and wherever possible. Leaders of small states must be prepared to face these challenges not as passive onlookers but as active participants in building peace and stability as facilitators of dialogue and mediators in global conflicts,” he stressed.He also noted that Qatar takes climate change and food security with utmost seriousness and every efforts are being made by using latest technological advancements to mitigate the impacts of climate change. As for food security he highlighted that Qatar has taken several efforts at agriculture production. “Before 2017, we were dependent on others for diary products but by 2018 we started large scale diary production and by 2019 we were exporting those products,” he added.

Qatar National Library (QNL) has taken several initiatives in promoting environmental culture and sustainability through programmes and library resources, according to an official.The QNL building itself is a manifestation of several environmental sustainability aspects, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and natural light, said, Hadia Hajo, editor and publications specialist at QNL in an article.In addition, QNL provides a large number of printed and electronic materials and holds regular awareness events, symposiums, panel discussions and documentaries among others.According to Hajo, QNL has a building management system that monitors and controls energy usage. The lighting system for example is preprogrammed to automatically dim the lights after the workhours and to dim even more during the QNL closing time at night.As for water conservation, QNL building uses water taps with sensors, to reduce the waste of water. The building has a waste management programme that includes recycling bins for different types of materials like paper, glass, cans, and food waste. The library utilise an e-waste system where electronic waste is recycled in collaboration with Qatar Foundation’s General Services department. The Library Conservation and Preservation Lab generates chemical waste which is treated by QNL in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.Natural light is another important aspect of environmental sustainability in the QNL building. The building's design maximises the use of natural light to reduce the need for artificial lighting and minimise energy consumption. The glass façade allows natural light to reach the interior spaces, and the library's reading areas in the main plaza are designed to take advantage of daylighting. In addition to the environmental benefits of natural light, it also has positive effects on the health and well-being of building occupants.QNL’s another effort at promoting sustainability is through its vast resources in multiple languages, covering topics on environment and sustainability. These include climate change, renewable energy sources, sustainable agriculture and food systems, biodiversity conservation, waste management and recycling, sustainable transportation, sustainable building practices, conservation and management of water resources, environmental policy and governance, environmental justice and equity among others.QNL also holds monthly events on different educational topics, including environmental and sustainability issues. The library has organised various activities on the topics of environment and sustainability, such as group discussions, symposiums, panel discussions, workshops, awareness lectures, and documentary screenings.Some of such initiatives included a group discussion on the role of public libraries in achieving sustainable development goals on environment in Qatar; a symposium and a panel discussion entitled "Qatari Youth Interaction with Environmental Issues". QNL has organised workshops and lectures, such as "Environmental Sustainability in Islam", "The Importance of Studying Harsh Environments on Planet Earth", and "How to Make Sustainability Part of Our Daily Lives?" It screened a documentary film entitled "Living the Change: Inspiring Stories for a Sustainable Future", which showcased inspiring ways and methods for sustainable living.QNL also organised a discussion presented by the Doha Project for Environmental Initiatives titled "Guidelines for Starting the Sustainability Journey in Qatar" to learn about marine life and the impact of plastic pollution in Qatar, and to provide simple solutions to contribute to solving the problem. Additionally, QNL held another discussion session presented by the executive team of The Hague International Model of the United Nations in Qatar.

India's 77th Independence Day was celebrated by members of the community with patriotic fervour on a grand scale Tuesday at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) premises in Doha.A large number of community members were at the venue in the early morning to witness new ambassador Vipul hoist the Indian national flag, amidst the rendering of the national anthem.The envoy paid tribute to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi.Office bearers of Indian apex bodies, prominent community leaders and other dignitaries were present.In his maiden public interaction with the Indian community in Qatar, the envoy read out the address of the president of India and emphasised on india’s diplomatic relations with Qatar, spanning over 50 years.Indian President Droupadi Marmu, in her address to the nation, highlighted that the celebration of the Indian Independence Day is the fact of being part of a great democracy.“Each of us has many identities – apart from caste, creed, language and region, we are also identified with our families and professions – but there is one identity that is above all,” she said. “That is our identity as citizens of India. Each one of us is an equal citizen; each one of us has an equal opportunity, equal rights and equal duties, in this land.”“Independence Day is an occasion to reconnect with our history. It is also an occasion to assess our present and reflect about our way forward,” the president added. “Looking at the present, we see that India has not only regained its rightful place on the world stage, but it has also enhanced its standing in the international order.”“During my visits and interactions with the members of the Indian diaspora, I have observed a new confidence in the India story,” she continued. “India is playing a crucial role in promoting developmental and humanitarian goals around the world.”Ambassador Vipul expressed his happiness in joining the community to celebrate the special occasion.He also noted that this year marks a milestone for bilateral relations, as it is the 50th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Qatar.He said that bilateral ties between India and Qatar have come a long way in the past five decades, taking the shape of multifaceted relations spanning political, energy, economic, cultural, educational and people-to-people contacts.He took the opportunity to thank His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and the government of Qatar for the constant support to Indians living in Qatar.The envoy also expressed his commitment to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of Indians in Qatar, and assuring that embassy’s doors will always be open for them all, more so for fellow Indian workers in need.Following the envoy’s speech, community members presented cultural programmes such as patriotic songs and dances.

Several students from Hamad Bin Kahlifa University ( HBKU)have shared their aspirations and expectations as the university has launched its orientation programme and is abut to start the new academic year.Noor Sadiah, a newly admitted student at the College of Science and Engineering noted that she had taken a course during her bachelor's studies at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar on enterprise resource planning systems which really heightened her interest in supply chain management.“ In this respect, I’m particularly attracted to the research component of HBKU’s Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The programme encourages students to engage in research projects inside and outside the classroom with the full support of the CSE’s highly experienced faculty. I can’t wait to build on knowledge acquired during my bachelor’s degree and expand my skill set at HBKU. “said, Sadiah.Sadiah pointed that she hopes to participate in as many research activities as possible and work closely with faculty and classmates in the process. She explained: “I also want to be involved in HBKU student life by participating in campus events and sports activities. Last year, I played in a women’s football team and through our collective dedication and commitment we achieved first place in two consecutive Qatar Foundation competitions. I very much hope that I can repeat such successes with new team members during my time at HBKU.”Sadiah is confident that HBKU will help her attain her career goals. “With its particular focus on research, I’m convinced that the Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management programme will help me to prepare for life as a PhD student. I’m looking forward to engaging with as many PhD candidates as possible at HBKU, picking up advice on research projects, student life and related activities in the process,” she added.For Jamila Mehdiyeva, her programme of Master of Arts in Women, Society and Development at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is a manifestation of her my deep involvement in educational and empowerment projects for women.“Despite having a long and successful career leading media operations for major sports events, I have encountered many challenges for no other reason than being a woman. Each challenge has nevertheless inspired my deep involvement in educational and empowerment projects for women and fuelled my determination to create positive change in my home country, Azerbaijan, ” says, Mehdiyeva.She explained: “I vividly recall my undergraduate years, where I often found myself as the lone female student in class. This experience, although daunting at first, ignited a fire within me to prove that gender should never be a barrier to pursuing one's dreams. It was through this journey that I discovered my passion for empowering women and championing their rights.”Mehdiyeva noted that her primary primary aspiration is to continue promoting women's empowerment and driving societal change, all while embracing the beauty of dreams coming true. “I am also determined to pursue my passion for women's development and encourage others to move forward towards their dreams, transforming them into tangible goals - it’s never too late! HBKU offers a unique opportunity to nurture my aspirations and turn them into reality, creating a profound impact on the lives of women. This journey symbolises a change in my career pathway, guided by new knowledge and fueled by a relentless determination to create a better future,” she concluded.

Graduates of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) are helping to demonstrate the transformative power of art through workshops with young people in Qatar Foundation (QF)’s Ability Friendly Programme.Three VCUarts Qatar graduates helped lead the sessions encouraging the children with special needs to express themselves freely, through drawing with crayons, pencils, and markers.“Volunteering to support children with special needs, in the Ability Friendly Programme, has been a truly inspiring and fulfilling experience,” said Fatima al-Mannai, one of the VCUarts Qatar graduates. “It's essential to encourage these individuals to express their passion through various artistic mediums, such as art.”She has previously been involved in university workshops and student-led clubs that have worked to encourage children to embrace their talents and unleash their creativity.These experiences reinforced her belief in the transformative power of art.“The impact of this volunteering experience on the lives of the children is evident in various ways,” al-Mannai said. “One of the significant outcomes was that we can break down barriers and dispel misconceptions. This has led to helping these children feel included and valued in society.”She added that volunteering in this programme brought forth both challenges and rewarding experiences.One of the challenges included finding effective ways to communicate with each child due to the variations in their needs and abilities.“I have learned valuable skills in adapting my artistic expertise to cater to the specific needs of each child,” al-Mannai said. “This experience has not only enriched my personal growth but also enhanced my ability to teach art, ensuring that every child feels valued and understood.”“Creating an inclusive and supportive environment is vital for the success of this programme,” she added. “Treating all children fairly, giving them equal attention, and providing motivation helps them feel included and appreciated.”Fellow volunteer Shaikha Darwish said: "The inspiration behind my involvement in this programme comes from my younger sister, who has Down syndrome. Her strength and ability to challenge stereotypes about children with special needs inspires me every day.”“The benefits of engaging children with special needs in art are undeniable. It allows them to express their emotions more effectively and share their unique stories,” the VCUarts Qatar graduate said. “As they explore their interests and passions, we help them embrace their individuality and build their self-esteem.”Darwish shared that the volunteering experience had significantly enriched her personal and professional growth, helping her to discover beauty and inspiration in unexpected places, which, in turn, fostered creativity in her own work.“I find great joy in volunteering and helping those who have special needs, as it allows me to contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate society,” said fellow graduate volunteer Arhama Amjad. “By sharing the existence and impact of this programme, we hope to promote the creation of more initiatives, and more volunteers that cater to the needs of individuals with special needs.”Nigel D’Souza, events and programme co-ordinator at the Ability Friendly Programme, said: “We wanted to tap into the various resources available within Qatar Foundation, instead of using different suppliers to do this.”“Maybe one day we could turn this into long-term activity or programme that could take place throughout year,” he said.“The Ability Friendly Programme currently is mostly focused on sporting activities,” he said. “So, art is taking us down a different avenue. Ultimately, we would like to not only include sports but offer a wide range of activities for people with special needs.”“People with special needs express themselves in a variety of different ways,” D’Souza added. “We have some participants that may not be very expressive verbally but excel at sports or in something else.”“So this is another tool for people to express themselves,” he concluded.

Development of school leadership for innovative learning designs in the post-pandemic era has been stressed in a recent report, highlighting a Qatari example of forming a private public partnership.The report ‘Post-pandemic National Educational Investments: School Leadership Development through Innovative Learning Designs’ is prepared by Shelby Cosner, professor and director, University of Illinois, Chicago, Centre for Urban Educational Leadership and Asmaa Alfadala, director, Research & Content Development, World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE).The researchers have made two striking observations: focused attention to strengthening student learning and the increased role of school principals at the centre of efforts within schools to develop, guide, and accelerate student learning. For this, they have highlighted the partnership formed in Qatar, between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and WISE, a, Qatar Foundation initiative.According to the report, over the last seven years, this public-private collaboration in Qatar has supported the design, implementation, and ongoing refinement of a school leadership development programme for school leadership teams.Each year this programme provided development to an identified group of Qatari school leaders. The report describes the educational context of Qatar and discusses the programme’s formation and evolution over a multi-year period. It also shares key roles within both organisations that have been engaged in this work, key contributions to this work from both organisations as well as other factors.“The partnership focused on the design and deployment of a more intensive, year-long leadership development programme for targeted groups of school leaders; a programme that would complement and extend existing developmental opportunities provided by the Ministry of Education. The partnership has largely proven durable, even as the pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to the education sector,” said the report.Highlighting the Qatari example, the report points to the growing significance of school principals in driving efforts to develop, guide, and accelerate student learning. Extensive research, particularly in the United States, has demonstrated the substantial impact of principals on student learning, approaching the effects of individual teachers.Furthermore, evidence from diverse global contexts emphasises that principals indirectly influence student achievement and other valued schooling outcomes by shaping school policies, cultures, and organisational conditions that support the learning environment. Through their mediating role, principals have a wide-ranging impact on teacher and instructional outcomes, enhancing teaching quality, job satisfaction, and retention while fostering high expectations for students.According to the report, urgent action is needed to address this issue as there is a lack of highly skilled individuals in this role. “Countries that have historically overlooked or inadequately invested in school leadership development are likely to face challenges in supporting and accelerating student learning as they emerge from the long shadow of the pandemic,” the report cautions.It also stresses that central to educational recovery strategies is the need for investment strategies that target both teacher learning and instructional improvement. ”Principals play a vital role in promoting teacher learning and instructional improvement across an entire school, making their development a crucial component of any comprehensive recovery plan. Research suggests that investing in school leader development is likely to yield higher returns than other types of educational improvement investments, making it a key priority for education ministries,” the researchers say.The report suggests that education ministries must foster public-private partnerships that support such initiatives to successfully advance multifaceted recovery strategies that include leadership development programmes. “Partnerships have proven valuable in supporting various educational aims and can generate additional investment funds, particularly in the wake of the financial pressures caused by the pandemic. By pooling strengths and expertise across multiple organisations, public-private partnerships offer a promising avenue for advancing educational improvement efforts,” conclude the researchers.

Research by a scientist from Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) is opening up many treatment options offering hope and solace for a large number of people suffering from neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. This in turn can help provide better treatment for several diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's as well as autism and intellectual disabilities.The study by Dr Yongsoo Park, considered a landmark research, highlights the impact of cholesterol on neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. The study is yet another testament to the quality of research conducted at QBRI but also an opportunity to showcase the achievements of Qatar's scientific community.According to to an article featured on HBKU website, Dr Park's research paper, published recently in ‘Advanced Science’ and selected as a frontispiece of the journal, sheds light on the role of cholesterol in synaptic transmission and neuronal function, potentially opening up new avenues for treating these debilitating disorders.The publication of the study in Advanced Science, one of the top journals in biophysics and bioengineering, underscores the significance of his findings. The journal is renowned for publishing cutting-edge research in biophysics and bioengineering, and its high impact factor of 17.5, as measured by Clarivate, indicates the importance of the work it publishes.The scientific report highlights the findings of Dr Park's team that age-related cholesterol reduction in the brain is linked to reduced synaptic activity. This is the means by which neurons communicate with each other and is critical for proper neurological function. Defects in synaptic transmission resulting from cholesterol deficiency could lead to neurodegeneration, making cholesterol an essential factor in brain health.By understanding the molecular mechanisms of how cholesterol contributes to synaptic transmission, Dr Park's team aims to explore the potential for optimising cholesterol levels in the plasma membrane to treat neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.Dr Park's research represents a development in our understanding of the mechanisms behind these disorders. The study's findings are highly relevant, given that more than 50mn people worldwide suffer from neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, with the numbers projected to increase significantly in the coming years. Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and intellectual disabilities, affect an estimated 15% of children globally, representing a significant burden on individuals, families, and societies.The research was conducted in collaboration with Dr Said Mansour, director of HBKU's Core Labs, highlighting the importance of teamwork and cross-disciplinary collaboration in biomedical research. The collaboration further exemplifies HBKU's commitment to fostering innovation and excellence through collaborative research across various fields, leading to better outcomes for humanity.Dr Park's work also highlights the value of research at QBRI. The institute conducts research that has a direct impact on human health, and the study's findings have the potential to be translated into clinical practice, benefiting patients who suffer from neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Smart Nano Solutions research group at the Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM) at Qatar University (QU) has designed various sensors with great potential in different fields, such as food safety, environmental, and biomedical domains and many more.Sensors are electronic devices composed of specialty electronics or materials for determining the presence of a particular entity or function. They operate in various manners, depending on their application and include electromagnetic fields, or optics, among others.Led by Dr Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni, research assistant professor, the research group designed a non-invasive gas sensor using volatile organic compounds in human breath as an analyte to detect various metabolic diseases.Gas sensors, capable of detecting and monitoring trace amounts of gas molecules or volatile organic compounds, are in great demand for numerous applications including diagnosing diseases through breath analysis. A smartphone-assisted unit consisting of a portable colorimetric device was used to detect relative red/green/blue values for practical and real-time application. The developed method could be used for rapid detection of ketones in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes, or heart failure.Most commercial food sensors in the market assess the food quality indirectly by monitoring environmental indicators such as temperature, humidity, and other changes. But CAM developed an inexpensive paper-based chemosensor to monitor the freshness of fish using trimethylamine as the sensing parameter.This sensor will significantly impact situations like monitoring the freshness of fish and diagnosing trimethylaminuria where fast detection of trimethylamine exposure is required. The colour of the paper sensor changes differently in these paper sensor as the trimethylamine concentration increases, which helps to determine the immediate risk of trimethylamine in an environment.In environmental monitoring, some of the designed sensors are used in advancing the capabilities of corrosion detection. One among them is based on the wireless, self-powered radio-frequency identification (RFID) as a corrosion detector and continuous remote sensing of these RFID sensors through a software-assisted corrosion monitoring system. These RFID tags can be embedded within the concrete structure and include metal bars itself as a part of a circuit for corrosion monitoring. The RFID sensors can be installed in different structures of the buildings and using the developed software, the real-time continuous corrosion mapping of the building can be done in a single slot.A sensitive IoT-based colorimetric sensor prototype was also developed to detect formic acid, ethanol, and methanol in the atmosphere, which would have occurred because of CO2 conversion. Using the dyes as sensing elements, the sensor prototype showed unique RGB values upon exposure to test solutions and its concentration, based on the RGB values. The RGB data can be acquired using a mobile application.Biomedical sensors are special electronic devices that can convert biomedical signals into easily measurable electric signals. Such biomedical sensors are also developed by the research group, which act as the key component in various medical diagnostic instruments and equipment like the tactile sensor that helps the surgeons to register the forces applied over the grasper of a surgical tooltip and can reduce the learning time for surgeons and help prevent injuries on the patient.

According to a study based on retrospective data from the medical records in Qatar, the prevalence of asthma is 9% among adults.The Qatar-based study, “The rate of exacerbations in patients with asthma in Qatar: A retrospective study during 2019-2021", published recently by QScience.com reveals “The prevalence of asthma is 9% among adults in Qatar, and its severity can be attributed to intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as environmental changes.”The study investigated the association between air pollution and asthma severity, the rate of exacerbations in adult patients with asthma in Qatar.A recent press release by the Primary Health Care Corporation has stated that asthma is the most prevalent disease in Qatar and the Gulf States.“Asthma in the Gulf has some of its own factors, as studies indicate that genetic factors play a crucial role in worsening one’s health status, in addition to exposure to dust, air pollution, and smoking,” a PHCC official said in the statement.Asthma is also controlled by environmental factors or external stimuli, which leads to narrowing of the airways through contraction of muscle fiber, congestion, swelling, and inflammation of the cells lining the bronchi. Therefore, asthma is considered a chronic inflammatory disease.As part of the process of the study, retrospective data of patients with asthma aged 16 to 70 from January 2019 to December 2021 was retrieved from Cerner medical records. A total of 6,977 exacerbations visits representing 6,558 patients were identified during the study period.“Frequencies of exacerbations in inpatient and outpatient departments were analysed using means and median for descriptive data and frequency and percentage for categorical data. Exacerbations were divided into single, double, and more than double for each quarter of the year from January 2019 to December 2021) using SPSS and Minitab statistical packages.”The patients from the Mena region, including Qataris, presented 67% compared to 33% from the Indian subcontinent and other countries. The number of patient visits for hospitalisation due to exacerbations showed a distinctive pattern during the three years. The highest record of asthmatics with exacerbations was observed in 2019 (42.7%) compared to half the rate in 2020 and 2021 (28.5%, 28.8%), respectively.The study was conducted by Dina Isaifan from Qatar University (QU); Maryam al-Nesf from Allergy and Immunology Division, Hamad Medical Corporation ( HMC), Lama Soubra, QU, Hassan Mobayed, HMC; M Rami Alfarra, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and Sergio Crovella, QU.This preliminary overview provides the rate of exacerbation episodes in patients with asthma in Qatar. One cause of these exacerbations can be attributed to air quality changes. The drop in the exacerbation rate observed in 2020-2021 could be explained by Covid-19 lockdown regulations or patients’ adherence to prescribed medications. The study has proposed several preventive and therapeutic strategies to alleviate asthmatics’ symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Indian community in Qatar fondly recollected Oommen Chandy, the former chief minister of the state of Kerala who passed away Tuesday and paid rich tributes to the mass leader.Chandy passed away early morning Tuesday at a private hospital in Bengaluru, India. Battling cancer, he was undergoing treatment for several months in India and abroad. The 79 old Chandy served as the 10th Chief Minister of Kerala from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016. He was also the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 2006 to 2011.Several community members in Qatar had very close association with him and many of them had very personal interactions with him for a very long time. A man of the masses and cutting across the political affiliations, Chandy commanded great respect and deep affection from the community at large. People used to crowd his house and office for their personal and community needs.During his second stint as CM, Chandy had launched a mass contact programme to meet people and hear their grievances and ensure relief to them. The programme received the United Nations Global Award for Public Service in 2013.Chandy also holds the record for the longest-serving MLA in the Kerala assembly having represented his home constituency Puthuppally continuously for 53 years.Former Indian ambassador, Sanjiv Arrora recalled his association with Chandy and said that it was a great loss for the community and the country. “ Oommen Chandy was was a stalwart and popular leader. I recall meeting him several times and was touched by his simplicity and warmth.”Dr Mohan Thomas noted that he had about 55 years of acquaintance with Chandy and a very close brotherly relationship. “He was a leader committed for the betterment of the common man. He used to keenly listen to each and every person and made sure that all their grievances or needs are taken care of. His commitment as well as dedication for the welfare of the people, makes him quite unique,” said, Dr Thomas.Former president of Indian Cultural Centre, P N Baburajan pointed out that Chandy was well respected across all sections of the community for his sincerity and dedication. “With his efficiency in administration, he was able to face the challenges with great conviction and courage. He was also very keen about the welfare of the Indians working in various countries and attended to their needs without any discrimination,” added, Baburajan.

In a significant effort to promote sustainable energy, Qatar University (QU) has launched a solar-powered mobile library on its campus.In designing the mobile library, the QU researchers recycled a club car by installing bookshelves and solar panels to power it with renewable energy. This mobile library, according to an article in the latest edition of the QU research magazine, has the capacity to carry 200 books and be fully charged by sunlight within six hours.Developed by the Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM) at QU, this innovative initiative aims to promote eco-friendliness, while encouraging a reading culture, and providing students and faculty with easy access to academic resources from QU Press.The project demonstrates the University’s commitment to stimulate environmental sustainability that aligns with the aims of Qatar National Vision 2030. This is yet another significant step toward promoting sustainable energy and education in the region.As well as simultaneously charging and running under the sunlight for consecutive hours, the mobile library can be charged using direct grid electricity without sunlight. The primary purpose, however, is to use sunlight as a renewable source of energy to promote efficiency in harnessing green energy for real-world applications. It will also serve to efficiently distribute academic books from QU Press, a fellow partner on environmental sustainability.Prof Mohammad Irshidat, director of CAM, said: “The significance of our solar-powered mobile library lies in its use of a renewable energy source to ensure environmental sustainability. This initiative advances two of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, securing affordable and clean energy under Goal 7, and building sustainable cities and communities under Goal 11. We believe the solar-powered mobile library will create greater awareness around the QU campus of the importance of harnessing clean energy and promoting sustainability.”“The launch of the solar-powered mobile library represents a significant step toward promoting sustainability, education, and community engagement. Qatar University is proud to be at the forefront of this initiative, and remains committed to promoting sustainable practices and initiatives that benefit society and the environment. The library is also a testament to the university’s efforts to promote environmental awareness,” noted Prof Mariam al-Maadeed, vice president for research & graduate studies at QU.“This is a creative application of technology that will inspire students and researchers in Qatar. This solar-powered mobile library will be dedicated to promoting and selling QU Press books across campus and the country,” added, Prof Fatma al-Sowaidi, director of Qatar University Press.

The LEAN pre-pack system implemented by the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service (HMCAS) has improved responses to emergency calls and enhanced access to effective care for patients, a recent study has found out.LEAN is a set of management practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness by eliminating waste. The core principle of lean is to reduce and eliminate non-value adding activities and waste.The study published on Journal of Emergency Medicine is titled ‘Impact of LEAN implementation in restocking ambulances in an emergency department and on ambulance rotation within the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service’ and is featured on QScience .com. It highlights that HMCAS has refined its patient supply chain (SC) processes to improve ambulance turnaround times (ATAT) at the emergency departments (ED).The authors of the study are: Sunjay Ragbheer, Padarath Gangaram, Guillaume Alinier and Hassan Farhat. They belong to various organisations and institutes such as HMC; The University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar; Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; University of Sousse, 4000, Sousse, Tunisia and the University of Sfax, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia.According to the study, the pre-pack concept promoted easy and quick processing of clinical applications, restocking procedures, and ambulance checks, and this positively impacted the ATAT at the ED. Further, it improved responses to emergency calls and enhanced access to effective care for patients. This approach also simplified the tasks above when many locum staff is employed on a short-term basis to cover mega-events such as the FIFA World Cup. With FIFA World Cup 2022 taking place in Qatar, all healthcare systems were geared up for an influx of patients.The study evaluated the staff’s perceived impact of modular pre-pack kits on ambulance restocking processes and ED ATAT.Through this cross-sectional study, a fit-for-purpose survey was designed and distributed to all operational staff at HMCAS. The survey aimed to assess HMCAS staff’s opinions about the implemented LEAN pre-pack system. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to assess the reliability of the survey. The Mann-Whitney U-test was conducted to compare if there was a difference between the group’s opinions. The Shewhart control chart was created to monitor the impact of the implemented intervention on the ATAT at the ED. IBM-SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 26 was utilised for data analysis.A group of 287 employees with different backgrounds participated and completed the survey. The Cronbach’s alpha was equal to 0.739, indicating a satisfactory level of reliability of the Mann-Whitney U-test. The descriptive analysis and the Shewhart chart revealed that most staff found that the pre-pack concept helped improve LEAN restocking processes, access to clinical applications, and ambulance checks. Overall, this concept matched the international benchmarks for turnaround time.International ambulance services are complex, and these ambulances are equipped with about 500 individual items, which include various types of medical consumables and equipment used during emergencies. By organising individual medical items into stock units called “pre-packs”, according to the needs of the patients and type of clinical interventions, the inventory or stock-taking time of items stored in ambulances can be significantly reduced. Implementing reduced inventory lists of items and standardised pre-pack storage across the ambulance fleet has significantly improved the efficiency and accuracy of ambulance checking, restocking, and recovery time, improving overall ATAT at the ED.

Size doesn't really matter when it comes to popularity and reputation. To see a glorious example of this, one has to head to Al Muntazah in Doha and look for what is known as the 'Taxi restaurant'.Located opposite Rawdat Al Khail Park, this small outlet - officially named Al Salhiya Tea Stall and Restaurant - with a limited number of seats for diners, happens to be one of the most popular and beloved eateries in the city.Known as a place that offers various food items at affordable rates round-the-clock, 'Taxi' remains the go-to eatery for a large number of people from different nationalities every day. The eatery wears a busy look, be it day or night, and is particularly popular among people looking for a meal late at night after a hard day's work.Since space is limited inside, customers can often be seen waiting in long queues of cars parked on the adjacent road, while some choose to collect their food or drink and head to the park.The restaurant has been offering tasty food at affordable prices for nearly six decades. While low-income expatriates are known to be the biggest patrons of this eatery, the clientele includes more well-heeled individuals, too.With beginnings in a small car garage of a villa by Abdullah Mohamed, who was from a small hamlet called Parakkadavu in northern Kerala, the restaurant has a long story to tell that coincides with the progress of Qatar.After the death of Abdullah Mohamed, Abdulla Soopy Haji started managing the restaurant. Abdulla Soopy passed away in 2020, and his son Harris Valluvacherry is currently managing the restaurant along with some relatives.“This is one of the earliest restaurants in Qatar. It was the meeting point for all expatriates during those days. Whenever there are new arrivals to Qatar, they are brought to our restaurant directly from the airport for meals. So, it is a place that tells good old stories, has a lot of nostalgic memories for everyone from those days and has a distinct place in Qatar’s history,” Harris, a third-generation member of the family business, told Gulf Times.The restaurant gradually emerged as the meeting place for many residents, particularly those looking for food at odd hours. Abdulla Soopy was a kind-hearted man, and nobody was denied food at any time, sometimes even if they did not have money.“My father was helpful to others. He always told us to help the needy and the deserving. It was very important for him that we serve food at minimum prices and ensure everyone is treated well. The restaurant continues to be busy even now and a large number of patrons come every day to have their meals at very affordable prices. This is what my father taught us and we are committed to continuing his legacy at any cost,” Harris noted.The eatery came to be known as 'Taxi restaurant' as taxi drivers used to visit the place in big numbers to have food. “The restaurant became a hub for taxi drivers as they could get food at affordable prices. Soopy Haji wanted to help the underprivileged with quality food round-the-clock. He never compromised when it came to the quality of food,” said restaurant manager Muneer Puthiyapurayil.“It is a really distinct spot in Qatar and was a meeting point for all newcomers to Qatar in the early years. It was the meeting point for many, and people used to come in groups with their friends and relatives. It was also a place for people to meet and greet and renew their friendship for several decades until modern communication facilities became available,” Muneer recalled.He said the restaurant continues to be busy and said customers include people from different walks of life. He added, “We serve quality food 24/7 and are ready to serve everybody at any time. A minimum of 1,000 people visit the restaurant daily and we also get a lot of parcel orders. We would like to preserve the place as a special spot, so that old memories can be recollected and shared.”

The Indian booth at the ongoing 32nd Doha International Book Fair provides glimpses of the country’s history and culture. There are a number of books at the booth that highlight various facets of India and its heritage. The book fair, opened on Monday by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, runs until June 21 under the slogan 'With Reading We Rise.'Showcased at the grand event are Qatari, Arab and foreign publishing houses, as well as the latest publications, books and manuscripts of government agencies, Arab and international cultural institutions and the embassies accredited to the country. Large number of visitors can be seen moving around the stalls and buying books and getting details about the books especially the latest ones.The Indian booth was opened by Indian embassy charge d'affaires Angeline Premalatha in the presence of a number of community members. The pavilion offers a peek into books from all the states of the country. A spokesperson at the booth said there is great demand from the visitors for books about various aspects of India. “We have a good collection of books from all the states of India that describe the unique culture of the country. We have also books about the culture and social life of people from different parts of the country.“Most queries that we get, are about tourism opportunities in India. We have some books that offer information about most attractive destinations in the country. We also have highly informative books on the culture of India and the uniqueness of each region as well as social life of people in different places. Some of the books also give ideas about various festivals of the country.”According to the spokesperson, people can contact the pavilion for more information about India and if they need to buy any of the books, they can leave their contact information at the booth. They will be contacted at a later date about their requests.

It is highly important for children to have a safe space within schools to foster their innate skills and face the challenges they come across and excel, noted a Qatar Foundation (QF) official.“A safe space in schools is building strong relationship between students, their peers and the adults, which is critical to developing a sense of safety," Al Jawhara Althani, head of Wellbeing and Safeguarding at QF told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview."Knowing that there are people who will celebrate their success and support them no matter what challenges they may face, helps students feel seen and heard. This leads to higher levels of engagement and better social, emotional and academic outcomes,” she explained.Al Jawhara highlighted the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills beyond the classroom, and providing them with a safe space within schools to excel academically, and personally. Feeling safe at school also means being able to show up as their authentic self and have their culture, language, interests and ambitions honoured by those around them.“Safe spaces are critical for learning because learning is about stepping outside of our comfort zone and taking risks. Learning can only happen when we are unafraid to fail publicly. This is just as true for adults as it is for children. We often learn more from our failures than our success and in order to develop the confidence and resilience we want our students enter the world with. We have to foster a safe and supportive community within our schools,” explained, the official.Al Jawhara underscored that learning goes beyond the classroom and parents, siblings and the wider community have a lot in making children feel comfortable to learn.“Listen to the kids in your life – to their fears, hopes, dreams and to the stories they are eager to share. Ask them how their day went, who their friends are, and what they are learning. Do not relegate them to “children-only” spaces and conversations. We all carry some responsibility for the children in our lives. We are their village,” she suggested.Al Jawhara stated that since 2018, QF schools have been working hard to develop safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures to ensure that students always feel safe and supported and know who to reach out to if they need support. She also pointed out that QF students regularly interact with an array of entities and centres to enhance their learning experience and to obtain a sense of the real world.“All decisions that are made must be made with the best interest of the child in mind. All staff have been trained to understand their role in keeping children safe. QF Schools have also been promoting safeguarding and advocating for a more systematic approach by collaborating with ministries, mental health services and other stakeholder across the country, concluded, Al Jawhara.

Leaders in real estate in Qatar and the region discussed the challenges facing the local and international investors and sought ways to address them at a panel discussion on the second and final day of the Qatar Real Estate Forum 2023 Monday.“Real estate business is not an easy job. It needs planning, strategy and tools to overcome several challenges,” said Marwan Abu Shanab, moderator of the panel discussion while opening up the discussion titled, “The Real Estate Investor’s Journey — Reality vs. Hope.”The discussion focused on the foreign investor's expectations of the real estate system in Qatar as well as the best international practices and experiences to promote real estate investment. There were also proposals and solutions to improve the real estate investor's journey.Tariq al-Tamimi, secretary of the committee on real estate sector development strategy at the Ministry of Municipality, said there will be a clear strategy in the sector. “There are plans to develop several steps in governance of the real estate as data enhancement is a top priority. We will also look into the challenges in the sector and suggest several steps to solve them. There will be clear procedures . The journey will be a double edged sword and if it is done well, it will lead to great success .”Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, chairman and managing director of Qetaifan Projects, narrated the challenges the project faced at the development stage. He said: “We decided to have a project by developing an island for tourism. However, as we started, the Covid-19 pandemic hit us and we had to undergo a long period to overcome the challenges associated with it.”“Another challenge was that we are not a manufacturing country of many of the construction materials and therefore we had to import many of them. And due to the pandemic, we ended up paying very high prices for the materials. Then, we also had to face the pressure to complete the project ahead of the World Cup,” he added.According to Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, United Development Company (UDC) president, CEO and member of the board, UDC has a system of attracting investors in the project. “We have different ways of helping the investors such as payment method in instalment, differed payment and others . We also allow long period for the payment. We support the investors from our side in many different ways.”Abdulla al-Mehshadi, CEO of Al Waab City, noted that external investors must have clear vision about Qatar. He said: “All entities working in the sector should come together and collaborate with each other to overcome the challenges and barriers. There can be changes in the planning of the construction and if these changes are implemented in the design stage itself , it will be great for the investors so that it does not affect the progress of the construction once started.”“Investment in real estate face challenges in all countries. As we understood these challenges, we designed national strategy in Saudi Arabia. Real estate is one of the most secure investment areas, provided that we approach the sector with all the preparation and clear policies,” highlighted Fahad Mansour AlHashem, real estate managing director, Saudi Arabia.The projects must be implemented with renewable energy sources so that they become environment friendly, he added.