Qatar needs ‘9,000 qualified accountants in next five years’

Qatar needs ‘9,000 qualified accountants in next five years’ Dr Nitham Hindi, dean at Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics, has said the country needs more than 9,000 accountants in the next five years, local Arabic daily Al Sharq has reported. Stressing the need for qualified accountants, he said the number of accountants graduating annually is less than 100, the report states. In a meeting organised by the accounting and information systems section of the College, Dr Hindi encouraged students to join the Master’s programme in accounting, saying it has obtained US accreditation and will open up good job opportunities and lead to a bright future, according to the report. Further, Dr Hindi said the university offers support to all students who enrol in the programme. He also spoke about the requirements and conditions for enrolment, the report adds. Other experts, too, have highlighted Qatar’s need for accountants to work in different institutions of the State, stating that the Master’s programme will help find qualified accountants through theoretical studies and field training, besides fulfilling the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Holst’s ‘The Planets’ The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will premiere a performance of Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’, set to a film by Duncan Copp that uses imagery from US space agency Nasa, for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa. To be held at Qatar National Convention Centre on May 11, the concert also includes a performance of Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’ conducted by Alastair Willis. The MDR Radio Choir of Leipzig, the Qatar Philharmonic Children’s Choir, soprano Anya Matanovic, tenor Marcus Shelton and baritone Jochen Kupfer will also take part in the musical programme. Filmmaker Copp developed, directed and produced ‘The Planets: An HD Odyssey’ in 2009, which marries Nasa’s high-definition planetary imagery with a live performance of Holst’s seven-movement orchestral suite. Previous premieres have sold out in Houston, at Carnegie Hall in New York and during a two-week tour of the UK. Copp is also creator and producer of the acclaimed feature documentary ‘In the Shadow of the Moon’, which portrays the intimate story of the Apollo astronauts and has received more than 15 international film awards. Copp was also a member of Nasa’s Venus-mapping team responsible for creating the first detailed geological maps of the planet. Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’, which is Latin for ‘Songs from Beuern’, was written in 1936 and is based on a manuscript of poems written by the Goliards, a group of European clergy who satirised the church,  circa 13th century. The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, will next perform ‘The Seasons’ of Franz Joseph Haydn, conducted by Howard Arman, on May 14 at the Katara Opera House. For more information, visit www.qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org Defence Minister meets commander of UK staff college HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah met Admiral James Morris, the commander of the Joint Services Command and Staff College (Shrivenham), UK, in Doha yesterday. They discussed issues of mutual concern. A number of senior army officers attended the meeting. Senior EU official meets Minister of Culture Androulla Vassiliou, EU commissioner for education, culture, multi-lingualism and youth, met HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari in Brussels yesterday. They reviewed cultural developments in Qatar and relations between the two sides, and exchanged views on means of developing them. The EU commissioner voiced her recognition of Qatar’s achievements in the cultural sphere. Dr al-Kwuari made a presentation on the cultural events that Qatar organises with other countries and invited the EU commissioner to visit Doha. QOC signs pact with US varsity Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Colorado Springs on developing the Master’s degree programme. The MoU was signed by HE the QOC Secretary General Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, the Director of the Sport Management Programmes Professor Erik Olsen and Assistant Professor, Sport Management and Sport, Spencer Harris. QOC graduates will receive accredited Master’s degree in addition to Executive Masters in sports institutions management. AI Express opens contact centre Air India Express is launching its Contact Centre today to provide assistance round the clock on all days of the week. Language options of Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English will be available to answer any flight or booking related enquiries. Passengers will be able to book flight tickets or change their bookings. They will also be able to book extra baggage or block specific seats.  All credit card payments will be through secure interactive voice response system channels. The Contact Centre services are being provided by Sutherland Global Services from their Chennai centre in India. The 24/7 helpline number is +91-44-66921500.