The College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) hosted its largest co-curricular event of the academic year, the 8th annual CNA-Q Skills Competition, sponsored by Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco).
The event featured 50 different competitions – in engineering technology, information technology, health sciences, business studies, and academics – simulating a variety of real-world tasks that students will need to perform in the workplace once they graduate.The CNA-Q Skills Competition is modelled after World Skills International, a global initiative to promote the development of skilled trades.
The Qapco Highest Achiever award was presented to Abdullah Ali Abdoulghani, an engineering technology – technician certificate programme student sponsored by Qapco. He was presented the award for achievements in the Skills Competition and wider academic studies, while maintaining perfect attendance.  
Dr Mohamed Yousef  al-Mulla, Qapco’s managing director and CEO stated, “By supporting CNA-Q’s innovative educational programmes such as the CNA-Q Skills Competition, we believe we are making a difference to the future of vocational training in Qatar by nurturing talent and expertise. This competition is important as it sharpens the skills of the students and ensures their marketability in an increasingly competitive working environment.”
More than 550 College students competed against their peers to test the technical skills they are learning through their studies. For the second year, the college partnered with local secondary schools to include over 400 secondary students from 40 schools in the competition, giving more young people the opportunity to be involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Some competitions are completed individually, while others are group competitions where students solve real-life scenarios. As in past years, pharmacy students from Qatar University, nursing students from University of Calgary in Qatar, and medical students from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar participated in group healthcare-related competitions.
“Most of the extra-curricular activities we host on campus are also co-curricular, and involve elements of experiential learning. We believe in applied education, and producing graduates to be knowledge workers for the future,” said Dr Ken MacLeod, president, CNA-Q.