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Compass International School Doha's Alex Taishi Whitten has won the coveted first prize in the junior category (11-14 years old) of the esteemed Council of British International Schools (Cobis) Music Festival 2023, a statement said.The Year 7 student's enthralling composition titled 'Lady Bug Garden,' emerged the winner among the 71 exceptional submissions from schools spanning the globe. The Cobis Music Festival, uniting over 400 schools worldwide, played host to 36 participating institutions, with 27 joining in a virtual symphony.Alex's musical odyssey has been one of unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of perfection, the CIS Doha statement explained. Guided by Sibelius, the music software, Alex delved deep into the intricacies of composition.“The piano solo clearly showcases the composer’s skills, expertise and ideas. The thematic material is both memorable and excellent, with a playful harmony that's masterfully utilised throughout the piece. The composer boldly experiments with playful melodies and daring glissandos, displaying a willingness to take risks while remaining in full control,” said Rob Johnston and Paul Barker (Cobis adjudicators).Through initiatives like the Cobis Music Festival, Compass International School Doha empowers budding virtuosos to unleash their artistic potential and soar to new heights of musical mastery, the statement added.

Middle East International School (MIS) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2023 at The Diplomatic Club recently. This year’s Senior Graduation marked the end of a memorable school year for the 46 students who completed the high school programme. The event was attended by MIS chairman and founder Salem Rashid Thani al-Mohanadi, the guest of honour Dr Mounir Hamdi, dean of College of Science, Engineering, and Technology at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University of Qatar Foundation, and the families of the graduates. The graduation programme was organised under the leadership of the acting head of MIS, Dr Reena Rajesh, with the collaboration of high school faculty and staff members. As part of the commencement programme, MIS’ recently appointed head of school, Dr Tammie Smith, who will be joining at the start of the 2023-24 school year, delivered a video message to the graduates. This group of seniors enjoyed serving the school and community in several ways through in-school activities such as the MUN and Robotics club as well as fundraising events for Breast Cancer Awareness and Ramadan donations for Qatar Charity. They have represented the school in numerous events that include Al-Hadith Competitions, School Olympics Programme in various sports categories, as well as volunteer work for the Pow Wow Festival, FIFA and TriClub Doha Triathlon. The Class of 2023 graduates have been accepted in prestigious universities, both in Qatar and in other countries including Canada, the UK, and Europe to continue their higher education.

The Kindergarten Section of MES Indian School observed Colours Day on all Thursdays in the month of May, with each day dedicated to Red, Yellow, Green and Blue. Activities such as colouring, hand printing, paper tearing and pasting, leaf printing and show-and-tell were done by the young learners of KG 1 and KG 2.

Noble International School (NIS) hosted the inter-house cultural fest titled 'Talents Day’ over two days at the Al Wukair campus. Principal Shibu Abdul Rasheed inaugurated the fest which saw students participate in various activities.

The Welfare Department of MES Indian School conducted a session on personal hygiene for 474 students of the KG section. The resource person Annamma John, nurse, Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Division, Ministry of Public Health, emphasised the importance of maintaining personal hygiene, including regular bathing, washing hands, brushing teeth and wearing clean and neat clothes. There was a role-play highlighting the necessity to maintain personal hygiene in day-to-day life. Principal Hameeda Kadar spoke. The members of the Welfare Department, Gincy Wilson, Shiju Sebastian and Praseela A, co-ordinated the event.

DPS Modern Indian School student Ivana Sam Alex (Preparatory-J) won first rank, gold medal and certificates in English Olympiad, Math Olympiad and EVS Olympiad.

DPS-Modern Indian School concluded its month-long annual inter-house activity fest ‘Rendezvous-2023- 24’ for classes VI -VIII.The four houses - Rose, Lily, Tulip and Lotus - participated in the finals of the onstage and off-stage competitions.Principal Asna Nafees, vice principals Soma Bhattacharjee, Mary Cruz, Shifa Sheikh and Junior School headmistress Sini Menon were present. The activities included website designing, cooking without fire, just a minute, group dance, handwriting competition, digital poster making, slogan writing, debate, junk art, group song, poem recitation and rangoli. The programme was anchored by Jaleela Nazeer (VIII-A), Shikha (VII-A), Shanaya (VII-A), Eliyah (VII-A), Kaayra (VII-A) and Jisha (VII-A). A vote of thanks was proposed by Jaleela Nazeer (VIII-A). It was co-ordinated by Maniksha Balodi, activity co-ordinator (Grade VI to VIII).

DPS-Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) hosted the second edition of the War of Words Debating Championship (WWDC) from June 9 to 11, featuring over 20 teams and 70 debaters from various schools. The event also marked the inaugural in-person tournament of the Debate Club at DPS-MIS. Team Qatar Oryx bagged the championship title. Alreem al-Aqaily of Team Qatar Oryx was awarded the "Best Speaker" in the final.The top 10 speakers: Ameera al-Ishaq (first), Alreem al-Aqaily (second), Gargee Vivek Kanade and Archit Chhikara from DPS-MIS were third and fourth, respectively, Fatima Marafiya of Team Qatar Oryx and Surya Kauthik from DPS-MIS were tied for fifth, Devipriya Chandhira-Hasan from Birla Public School (seventh), Hardik Sukhnandan from DPS-Monarch (eighth), and Aaryan Sujith and Daksh Parashar were tied for the 10th position.

Pak Shamaa Kindergarten celebrated 'Graduation Day' for Early Years recently. The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an, and the little ones presented different performances and delivered thank you speeches. This was followed by the graduates walking up the stage to collect their certificates and gifts.

In co-operation with the Office of Strategic Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (SIEED) at Qatar University (QU), the College of Pharmacy organised its first Entrepreneurship Day, which targets college students aiming to consolidate their spirit of leadership and innovation in a way that qualifies them to face future challenges and contribute to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.The resource persons were Dr Lotfi Belkhair, SIEED's associate director for entrepreneurial transformation; Gordon McConnell, international expert in entrepreneurial transformation and commercialisation of innovations in higher education; and Dr Walid Kronfleh, a pharmacy and biomedicine entrepreneur with experiences in both the US and Qatar.Dr Feras Alali, dean of College of Pharmacy, said: “By harnessing the principles of entrepreneurship, we can amplify our impact, drive innovation, and create sustainable solutions to address the evolving challenges of our society.”Dr Mahmoud Abdulwahed, director of SIEED and secretary of the Board of Directors of QU’s Holding Company (QU Holding) stated: “Events like these are effective methods of nurturing entrepreneurial spirit among the College of Pharmacy community. It is also one of the first steps towards encouraging students to initiate pharmaceutical startups, which would be a unique addition to the national innovation and knowledge economy ecosystem, as such kind of deep technology startups are scarce in Qatar as well as in the GCC region.”Participating students contributed effectively to enriching the dialogue and engaging in a constructive and promising discussion with the session directors. The programme resulted in a pilot project proposal submitted by the student Fatima Nazar to the University’s Strategic Innovation Office.Fatima Nazar said: “Entrepreneurship empowers pharmacists to be catalysts of change, to create impactful solutions and to shape the future of healthcare. The information and support provided during the session was beneficial for us to understand what resources are available at QU SIEED Office as well as the College of Pharmacy, that can help us in our entrepreneurship journey.”

Doha College, one of Qatar's oldest international schools, recently honoured 250 students for exceptional achievements at its annual Award Ceremony, a statement said.The event recognised various categories, including subject awards in each year group, tutor awards for students who exemplified the school values and demonstrated strength of character, and recognition for those who dedicated themselves to specific goals such as the Doha College Model United Nations, leadership of the DC student body, charitable causes and more.The ceremony, attended by proud parents and staff, was enhanced by music and drama performances from students who received awards in those subjects. Anne McChesney (violin) and Gyu Ryang Liu (piano) not only received the Doha College music awards, but were also recent laureates of international music competitions. Talented actor Joseph Tomasicchio, in Year 12, treated the audience to a breathtaking performance of a monologue from “Hamlet.”The prestigious "Outstanding Student" award was presented to Diego Deslandes, a now-graduate who achieved the highest overall results and made invaluable contributions to school life over the past five years. In a separate “Sports Awards Presentation,” Diego was also selected as Doha College's sportsman of the year, having won numerous inter-school trophies with his teams. He epitomises a well-rounded student and will undoubtedly be an excellent ambassador for Doha College and international education in Qatar, the statement said.Jerome Scafe, head of Secondary at Doha College, shared his thoughts on this year's awardees: "This celebration is a testament to the students' unwavering pursuit of excellence, their thirst for knowledge, and the remarkable impact they have made within and beyond the school. These are the minds that will shape the future with their brilliance and compassion. Congratulations to the outstanding students of Doha College!"

Pursuing the institutional core values of ‘Innovation and Passion for Learning’, Rajagiri Public School (RPS) had its new state-of-the-art Robo-Tinkering Lab inaugurated by Amr Mohamed Elsayed Metwally, assistant executive director, ITQAN Innovation Centre for Medical Education of Hamad Medical Corporation. The lab is meant to serve as a platform for the Robotics Course and Robotics Club where children would engage in conceptualising, designing and programming robots. RPS has introduced coding and robotics courses in the curriculum. After-school sessions are organised under Robotics Club, a platform for students to try out their tinkering ideas.

Ideal Indian School (IIS) saw an overwhelming response from students from across Doha at its MASET 2023 - Maths and Science Olympiad, on June 3. Principal Shaik Shamim Saheb said: "We are thrilled by the tremendous response and the immense talent we witnessed at the IIS MASET 2023. It is truly inspiring to see the dedication and enthusiasm among these young minds, and we believe that events like these play a crucial role in nurturing their passion for mathematics and science." The award ceremony is on June 10.

Birla Public School (BPS) won the ‘First Position’ in the beginner level and the ‘Second Position’ in the advanced level category of the Alice Programming Competition organised by Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar.Alice is an innovative block-based programming environment that makes it easy to create animations, interactive narratives, or simple games in 3D. Alice uses a drag-and-drop environment to create computer animations using 3D models. Being a block-based programming platform, it is user-friendly.The competition was for school students from grades 7 to 12 across Qatar. Four teams of BPS students from Grades 7 and 8 under the guidance of Haritha Naidu, Saranya George, Anam Shariq, and Anu Antony participated. All the teams got selected to the final round. A total of 35 teams participated in the final competition in the advanced-level and the beginner-level categories.The team which included Ryan Geo, Sai Narayan Pradeep and Ayaan Naushad of Grade 7, won the first position in the beginner level by creating an animation on the topic ‘Global Warming" under the category "Climate Action.’ The team, including Jonathan Oommen Easow, Avrin Sidney and Nishad Koshti, of Grade 8 won the second position under the advanced level by creating an animation on the various aspects of environmental changes under the category of ‘Climate Action.’‘It is a proud moment for BPS," commented the academic director – principal Harish Sanduja. Vice-principals Radhika Rele and Edna Fernandez congratulated the winners and admired the support and guidance extended by the computer science department in training the students.

Qatar University's (QU) Centre for Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers organised its annual graduation ceremony for the students who had dedicated an entire year for the course.There were a total of 180 graduates, including 79 with the support of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) within the Qatar Grants programme, which aims to expand access to higher education for international students from developing countries.In his speech, the Centre for Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers director Dr Abdullah Abdulrahman said: "The Centre for Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers is a true cultural gathering, a platform for international co-operation, and a means to promote the Arabic language in a space characterised by openness, tolerance, and respect for others."He mentioned that, as a result of the centre's good reputation, various cultural partnership agreements have been signed with different organisations and universities, in addition to about 30 agreements signed over the past five years. Among these agreements is the co-operation agreement between QU and the QFFD, through which the fund provides 300 scholarships for students from developing countries.He also pointed out to an agreement with the Turkish Foundation, under which the centre annually receives 30 students from this institution to prepare them for studying in various university faculties.Regarding the local aspect and community service, Dr Abdullah pointed out in his speech that the centre, in collaboration with the Continuing Education Administration, has organised numerous intensive courses that have benefited various sectors in the country, including local banks, media channels, health and educational institutions.He stated that the College of Arts, Sciences and Business Administration at the university provides full support to the Arabic Language Centre for Non-Native Speakers, which has transformed from a programme into a multi-programme centre. Within a clear five-year plan, the centre will begin expanding due to a significant increase in the number of applicants. It is expected that the centre will admit 250 students through the morning programme in the coming year, and this number will increase by 20% over the next five years.Director of Strategic Partnerships at the QFFD, Rwodah al-Nuaimi said: "The programme was established to enhance our strategic vision for quality education and human development, as we strive to provide educational opportunities for students from developing countries, especially those seeking to learn the Arabic language and explore its rich culture."At the end of the ceremony which was witnessed by several officials and deans of faculties at QU, certificates were handed to the graduates.

Teen Ace Student Club, an initiative by CIGI Doha, recently celebrated its first anniversary.The club aims to create an interactive community for Indian teenagers studying in various schools across Qatar. The event, inaugurated by CIGI Doha chairman E P Abdurahaman, saw the new committee assuming office.The officials are: President - Fathima Lubna; vice-presidents - Mohamed Rayyan Ravad (education), Hasan Hashir Ahamed (membership), Aamna Beevi (events); and secretary treasurer - Fizan Nadeer. Governing body executive director Mithash Mohamed spoke. The event was organised by a team of directors including Mubaraq, Ajmal, Muneer, Habeer, Rafeeq Makki, Dr Sujail, Riyas, Lubna, Nijna and Munny Raja.

VCUarts Qatar alumnus Abdulrahman al-Muftah has produced and released the third in a series of vinyls dedicated to something very close to his heart – preserving the musical heritage of Qatar and the region.The record, named “Gnawa”, was produced by al-Muftah’s vinyl record start-up Al Wakrah Vinyl Records and casts the spotlight on the indigenous sounds of Moroccan music.A highlight of the album’s release at Embrace Doha, a cultural house situated in Souq Al Wakrah, was a live performance by the Moroccan band Nass El Hal whose music features in the album “Gnawa”.Al-Muftah, who holds an MFA in Design from VCUarts Qatar, and a BFA in Interior Design from Parsons School of Design in New York, started Al Wakrah Vinyl Records just after his post-graduate studies.“You could say my generation is born into a ‘digitised’ world,” says al-Muftah. “For the same reason, when I first came across vinyl records during my high school days, it was a challenge accepting that each disc held a limited number of tracks. Plus, I couldn’t flick through the songs to the one I wanted. At first, these features annoyed the impatient teenager that I was.”“After high school, I chose to study design,” he says. “Somehow vinyl records, and the behaviour those records required of you to be able to appreciate them, ran in parallel to the approach required of me to be able to design and create. Both require me to be reflective and patient, observe, and keep an open mind.”During his time abroad, al-Muftah began collecting records that reflect soundtracks or music from various cultures, all of which are either on display or for sale in his store: Moroccan drums, Georgian theatre, Russian folklore, contemporary Thai, Bollywood, Vietnamese, Heavy Rock, German and much more.Keen to share his collection with fellow music lovers, he set up a pop-up store in the Fereej Al Najda neighbourhood near Souq Waqif, during the football World Cup. Currently, he has an outlet at the Pearl Island.

The English Department of Ideal Indian School introduced the 'Voice Out' English Literary Club and commemorated Shakespeare Day with great enthusiasm recently.Principal Shaik Shamim Saheb inaugurated the club's activities and presented the badges to the office-bearers of Voice Out 2023-2024.In the Girls' section, Fatima Rahees (Class XI) was selected as president, and Afreen Salma (Class X) secretary. In the Boys' section, Luqman Ameen (Class XI) was chosen as president and Stephin V Samson (Class IX) as secretary.Mohamed Ashaz (Class VII) recited a poem, and Amna Hafiz (Class XII) delivered a motivational speech. The students of Class XI from the Girls' Section presented a dance on the importance of reading. Bindu Babu, co-ordinator of the English Literary Club for 2022-23, presented a brief report of the events conducted during the academic year 2022-23.The programme was followed by a prize distribution ceremony for winners of various literary activities conducted during the academic year 2022-23. Head boy Ahmed Mohamed Faisal proposed a vote of thanks.The event included a celebration of Shakespeare Day, featuring an inter-house drama competition where students showcased their talent through famous plays such as Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and As You Like It. The young artists impressed the audience with their articulation, memory skills and acting abilities. Yellow House secured first place in the Boys' Section, while Blue House secured second place. In the Girls' section, Blue House claimed first place, with Green House in second. Dafydd Reagan received the best actor award, while Hishana Manoj was honoured as the best actress.The event was judged by Shirley D’sales, headmistress of the KG Section and Shyla Jose, assistant headmistress of the Junior Section.

Within the framework of completing study plans and reinforcing academic exchange between the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) and the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) in Berlin, the third cohort of EMBA/EMPA Dual Degree students started their scientific trip to the German capital recently.The trip is co-ordinated with DI's partners at ESMT, and conducted in accordance with the study plan of the programme that aims to support academic knowledge with rich realistic experiences at the scientific, professional and administrative levels through attending lectures delivered by professors at the European Institute in Berlin.The visit provides the students with a unique opportunity to expand their horizons and learn about the success stories of small and medium-sized German enterprises, a press statement noted.The Dual Degree Executive Programme is designed through a partnership between DI and ESMT in order to provide a comprehensive educational platform for Qatari students who are leaders in government and private institutions.The Dual Degree programme combines theoretical knowledge and real practice in both fields as it aims to enable students to interact with the most important international institutes and institutions in the field of business administration and public administration, to enhance their understanding of the latest trends and concepts available, and to integrate this knowledge in the governmental and private institutions to which they belong.During their visit to ESMT in Berlin, the students made use of a series of activities and lectures given by experts and experienced academics who have extensive experience in administration and management. The lectures have covered a variety of topics, such as creative management, entrepreneurship, finance management and corporate finance. The students will also visit companies from the public and private sectors to be introduced to the different management systems which will develop their analytical and leadership skills and promote their strategic thinking capabilities.Dr Tamer Qarmout, head of the Public Administration Programme, emphasised the importance of this visit in improving the students’ managerial skills and opening their prospects for the successful practices of German organisations and their philosophy in business.

This year’s first unified Qatar Foundation Schools Commencement Ceremony recently exemplified the importance of learning beyond the classroom – with the entire event being run by student volunteers from across Pre-University Education schools, from registration and stage management to guest arrival and backstage logistics.Al Reem al-Naimi, a 17-year-old student from Qatar Academy Doha (QAD) who participated in the ceremony said: “The majority of this year’s graduates are lifelong friends – some I even consider to be family. It was important for me to contribute to such a momentous event within QF, where I have spent a huge part of my academic life.“I saw volunteering as an opportunity to enhance my social and communication skills, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of the world beyond the school walls. I fact, I believe that volunteering opens doors to meeting new people, acquiring knowledge, and gaining valuable experiences. It exposes us to real-life situations that may shape our future careers.”Her experience highlights the transformative power of volunteering, demonstrating how it can strengthen personal skills as well as cultivate a sense of belonging and purpose within a broader community.Ahmed Moneer Ahmed Hamada, a 17-year-old QAD student, also participated in the ceremony, working hard behind the scenes to ensure the event was a success.“Volunteering is important for young people as it nurtures essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership. It exposes us to new experiences and diverse perspectives. Moreover, it adds value to a resume, demonstrating initiative, responsibility and a commitment to community service. My overall volunteering experience has been incredibly rewarding. The personal growth and experiences gained from it are truly invaluable.”Maryam al-Hajri, a 17-year-old student from QAD, explained the benefits of volunteering at this year’s ceremony – and the key takeaways. “I wanted to improve my co-operation skills during this event, as working closely with the different teams required effective collaboration. Volunteering at events like this one is incredibly important. It creates unforgettable memories, especially when you're volunteering with your friends. Not only do you gain valuable experiences, but it is also an opportunity to develop new skills as you overcome challenges throughout the day. “Mohamed A Alharbi, head of Events at PUE, added: “The vibrant spirit of our exceptional student volunteers, who were driven by passion and unwavering commitment, played a pivotal role in meticulously organising the various facets of this momentous occasion. From deftly managing logistics and co-ordinating fellow students, to extending a warm welcome to distinguished VIPs and attendees, our student volunteers epitomised the essence of unity and collaboration that defines Qatar Foundation.”