Qatar gives $100mn in aid to Syrians - Qatar Tribune

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06 Thursday, February 21, 2013 Nation Qatar Airways begins flight to Cambodia RAMY SALAMA DOHA ARTISTS from around the world joined Mathaf’s Acting Director Michelle Dezember on Tuesday to discuss the significance of museum in promoting art and challenges facing artists. The artists who participated in the discussion were Beirut-born Mohamad-Said Baalbaki, Hungarian duo Little Warsaw and Kristine Agergaard, one of the two members of Danish- German J&K. The discussion was the second of Mathaf’s ‘In conversation’ series. Speaking to Qatar Tribune about the event, Dezember said, “We created the ‘In conversation’ series with an aim to facilitating direct contact and conversation between artists, whose work are being exhibited, and our audiences, who often have questions about the works and other things they want to know. So, we wanted to promote dialogue between the artists and the people who come to see their works in the galleries.” She added: “We also realised in the course of the programme that the conversations opened debates about issues that go beyond Mathaf ‘In Conversation’ talk series bring artists closer to people Beirut-born artist Mohamad-Said Baalbaki speaks during Mathaf’s ‘In conversation’ series, in Doha, on Tuesday. (HANSON K JOSEPH) art. The discussions cover a whole gamut of things and aren’t just about artist, artworks and museums. They allow us to explore issues about contemporary society and the world we live in, which art gives us a unique way to look at”. The acting director sought to place the conversation in the wider context of one of Mathaf’s current exhibitions, commenting that “this series is structured around the exhibition ‘Tea With Nefertiti’ The making of the artwork by the artist, the museum and the public’. There will be three talks in this series. They are designed to focus on the artist, the museum and the public of the exhibition’s title as we wanted to investigate these three topics. Last month, the topic of the conversation was the idea, the perception of the artist. We will have the third and last talk next month, which is to be about the role of art relative to the general public.” Referring to the evening’s discussion, Dezember said, “The talk is about the museum itself, taken from the perspective of the artist, and how the museum can be questioned, and how it can be used to question what we expect from a museum.” TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK PHNOM PENH (CAMBODIA) QATAR Airways’ (QA) inaugural flight to Cambodia touched down in the capital Phnom Penh on Wednesday further expanding the airline’s reach in Asia Pacific. With the launch of daily scheduled services, Qatar Airways becomes the only Middle Eastern airline flying to the South East Asian nation. The flight QR602 arrived to a traditional water salute followed by a ceremony featuring colourful Cambodian dancers at the Phonm Penh International Airport. The event was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Cambodian Secretary of State Tekreth Samrach, Secretary of State of Civil Aviation Mao Havanall and Undersecretary of State from Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism Pak Sokhom. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar al Baker was joined on the inaugural flight from the carrier’s Doha hub by Cambodia’s Ambassador to Kuwait, who is also responsible for Qatar HE Long Kem and representatives of international media. Baker said the latest route by the airline opened up a new market for business and leisure travellers from around the world, while at the same time facilitating air access from Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al Baker with Cambodian Secretary of State Tekreth Samrach and other dignitaries watch a presentation by Cambodian dancers during the launch of the airline’s flight to Phonm Penh, on Wednesday. Cambodia to destinations worldwide. “I take this opportunity to thank the Cambodian government and local airport authorities for their support in helping us launch daily flights to this wonderful country. Though Cambodia is one of the fastest growing economies in South East Asia, it has an air travel market that is highly underserved. Qatar Airways is here to fill this void and we look forward to working with the travel trade and our business partners to make this a successful operation, Baker said. He added: “We are sure Cambodian travellers will be impressed with Qatar Airways’ award-winning hospitality. Qatar Airways can connect travellers from Cambodia via our Doha hub to diverse cities like Paris, London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Milan, Dubai, Cape Town, New York and Montreal. “At the same time, with our new daily service between Doha and Phnom Penh, we offer travellers from around the world access to heritage tourist spots in Cambodia such as the world famous Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap and the picturesque beach island resorts in Sihanoukville.” The tourism industry, Cambodia’s second largest income source, received 3.6 million international tourists in 2012, a 24 per cent increase on the previous year. Cambodia is also home to a new industry following the recent discovery of oil and minerals, offering huge potential for overseas investors. Baker said, “Qatar Airways is spreading its reach in Asia and we are proud to say that our commitment to this diverse continent will continue. In just a month’s time, we will be adding Chengdu in China, which will join our family of destinations in Asia, a continent which now represents around 30 percent of Qatar Airways’ global network. “Another significant milestone for Qatar Airways this year will be the introduction of Chicago as our fourth US gateway adding to daily operations to New York, Washington and Houston.” India’s first pollution control ship to arrive in Doha on Feb 23 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA INDIAN Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Samudra Prahari’, the first pollution control vessel not only of the Indian Coast Guard but also in the entire South East Asia, will pay a four-day visit to the Doha Port from February 23 to February 26. According to an Indian Embassy press release on Wednesday, the ship’s visit is part of the efforts to boost relations and multi-faceted cooperation between India and Qatar. The indigenously built ship has, among its charter of duties, tasks like preservation, protection and prevention of the seas from marine pollution. It also protects the waters around the country from marine pollution from ships. ‘Samudra Prahari’ has been responding to oil spills up to Tier II levels. The ship, commissioned on October 9, 2010, is equipped with state-of-the-art pollution response and control equipment as well as other special features. ‘Samudra Prahari’ is designed to carry one twin engine ALH/Chetak helicopter, five high speed boats and four water scooters for SAR, Maritime law enforcement, EEZ surveillance and high speed interdictions. Stable Afghanistan in the interest of South Asia region, says envoy L N MALLICK DOHA THE outgoing Ambassador of Afghanistan to Qatar HE Khaled Ahmad Zekerya has said that a stable Afghanistan is in the interest of all in the South Asia region. Speaking at a farewell reception hosted in his honour by a Pakistani social worker M Ashraf Siddiqui recently, Zekerya said he tried his best to discharge his duties as an ambassador. He hinted that he might return to Qatar one day, but in a different capacity. “I spent a wonderful time in Qatar having made many friends and am returning home with sweet memories,” remarked Zekerya, who is likely to become Afghanistan’s deputy foreign minister on his return to his homeland. Zekerya said there were lots of similarities between the peoples of Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Khaled Ahmad Zekerya (sixth right) with host M Ashraf Siddiqui (fifth right) and other dignitaries at a farewell reception, in Doha, recently. Pakistan and Afghanistan as they shared common culture and religion and stressed the importance of people-to-people contact in improving bilateral ties. “As a diplomat I never tried to politicise things. I feel that people to people contacts are far more important than government-togovernment contacts. I wish the Pakistanis every success in their upcoming general elections and I hope democracy will further strengthen in Pakistan and the country will attain more prosperity,” said Zekerya. Doha Bank announces QR30 rights issue share price TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA THE extraordinary general assembly of Doha Bank on Wednesday approved the proposed amendments on the articles of association that were on the assembly’s agenda and the two-phased 50 percent capital increase. The general assembly approves to raise 25 percent of the current paidup share capital through the issuance of 51,674,450 new shares to Doha Bank’s existing shareholders who are registered at Qatar Exchange, at the close of business on February 19 at a price of QR30 per share representing a premium of QR20 in addition to a nominal value of QR10 per share. Another 25 percent of the current paid-up share capital will be raised through the issuance of new shares, in the form of global depositary receipts, to be held by a strategic shareholder being the depository bank, and the global depositary receipts to be listed on the London Stock Exchange. Doha Bank’s existing shareholders shall waive their pre-emptive right to subscribe in these new shares to allow the depository bank to directly subscribe for such shares as an exception to article 19 of the articles of association of the bank. The general assembly also granted the board of directors full authority to execute this second phase including the date of issuance of these shares, the amount of share premium and the related terms and conditions, provided that the share price, inclusive of premium, shall not be less than 90 percent of the market price of the company’s ordinary shares as traded on the Qatar Exchange at the date of issue. The total amount of the capital increase as described above in the two phases shall not exceed 50 percent of the current paid-up share capital. Doha Bank Chairman Sheikh Fahad bin Mohammad bin Jabor al Thani said that in the first phase the bank will issue an additional 51,674,450 shares to its existing shareholders for subscription at the price of QR30 per share. Subscription will be open from February 28 to March 13. As for the second phase of the capital increase through the issuance of global depositary receipts to be offered to international investors residing outside Qatar, it will be executed after obtaining the approval of the concerned regulatory authorities. He also stated that the ordinary general assembly of shareholders endorsed, in its meeting held on the same date, the balance sheet and the profit & loss accounts for the financial year ended December 31.
Nation | Pakistan Prism Thursday, February 21, 2013 07 AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE PEC COMMITTED TO TOP QUALITY EDUCATION IT is very encouraging to know that Qatar Tribune will be publishing an exclusive weekly page covering activities of the Pakistani community based in Qatar. Pakistan and Qatar are brotherly Muslim countries which have very strong relations and enjoy the confidence of each other on all international and regional issues. Pakistan and Qatar share a common understanding of terrorism and have cooperation to fight against the menace to make the region free of such unwanted and unacceptable activities. We Pakistanis are confident that Qatar Tribune, as per the past practice, will continue playing a constructive role in enhancing Pakistan’s image The Pakistani diaspora has a signifi- by publishing news about cant role in promoting Qatar as a achievements and contributions diverse state in of Pakistani community based in the Gulf region Qatar. Print media plays a very significant role in publicising and promoting all positive developments thereby helping strengthen the bilateral relations. Print media documents history for future reference and at times sets precedence for other countries to follow. The Pakistani diaspora has a significant role in promoting Qatar as a diverse state in the Gulf region. The Pakistani workforce including doctors, engineers, academics and skilled workers, have been playing a pivotal role in the development of Qatar. We, as a nation, are very grateful for the patronage of royal family especially the Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Heir Apparent His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. We hope their gestures of kindness towards Pakistani expatriates will continue by providing more opportunities in development of Qatar. The very wise decision of Qatar Tribune management to highlight the diversity of Qatar by providing an opportunity of coverage to all expatriate communities will enable them to reach out further. This will not only give a wide circulation to the daily as approximately 90,000 Pakistani expatriates in Qatar would be kept informed about the new developments in their country back home but will also cover their weekly activities in Qatar. We wish them the very best and are ready to provide all support required to promote a healthy, vibrant and diverse society based on different ethnic, cultural and religious beliefs. HE MUHAMMAD SARFRAZ A KHANZADA Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar L N MALLICK PAKISTAN Education Centre (PEC) is the largest Pakistani educational institution in Qatar. It is affiliated to the Islamabad-based Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education and offers excellent educational facilities to boys and girls upto intermediate level. Nargis Raza Otho, who has a rich teaching and administrative experience, joined the institution as its principal on September 9, 2011. Earlier, she was a professor at University of Sindh, the second oldest university of Pakistan. The institution, having over 3,000 students, witnessed tremendous growth recently thanks to the keen interest of Pakistan’s ambassador HE Muhammad Sarfraz A Khanzada, who is chairman of PEC’s Board of Governors, as well as the dedicated efforts of the principal. In an interview with Qatar Tribune, the principal spoke about the major issues faced by the institution and the efforts made to further improve the standards. Excerpts from the interview. Q: What plans are in the pipeline to upgrade the existing facilities of the institution? A: In order to facilitate more students, we are constructing new classrooms besides an examination hall that will also be used for purposes like parent-teacher meetings, seminars and debates. Upgradation of the science club will be carried out in collaboration with Qatar University to produce robots so as to bring our students to the level of students of other institutions. What are the major issues facing the PEC? We need more students from the educated families whose children are studying in other schools. Academically and structurally our school has undergone a huge change. We have improved our curriculum and incorporated more interactive activity into it. Students now have a lot of opportunity to nourish their creative writing skills. We are also focusing on their reading skills and striving to improve it by acquiring new books. How much do you think has the interaction of parents with the school authorities helped improve running of the school? Interaction with the parents proved to be very fruitful because they have come to know about their children’s progress through teachers. Initially, there was a slow response from them but later on it kept on increasing rising up to 1,100. Now we have launched a vigorous campaign to attract more parents. We have also set up a media committee to show them what we have and what we have achieved. What is your message for the students and their parents? PEC is a not-for-profit community Pakistan Education Centre Principal Nargis Raza Otho. school which is proudly and successfully catering to the educational needs of the students of all the segments of the Pakistani community. As the school aims to attain its cherished goals of academic achievements, we deem it imperative to seek parents’ support and backing. We are committed to imparting top quality education to the students and grooming them into more vibrant and productive individuals. PEC has produced excellent results in the recent Federal Board examinations. What are your plans to achieve even better results in future? We arranged additional teaching classes for all the classes (IX – XII) on a regular basis in which the syllabus was covered well in time. Now we have enough time for revision. We are conducting the monthly test besides the regular class tests on the Federal Board pattern which will help the students to improve their skills of attempting the paper and secure more marks. We hold parent-teacher meetings on a regular basis in which the progress of the students is discussed with the parents and strategies are made to help the students make up their deficiency in any subject. In this regard, the improvement of maximum attendance of the students in the classes is ensured. Every possible help and guidance is provided to students regarding their studies. We hope to produce even better results in future. Do you offer fee concession or exemption to students? If yes, how much fee concession has been given in year 2012? In educational institutions, the students must not be part of the academic world only; rather they must be encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities. Yes we do. In 2011-12, QR35,000 fee concession was given to the deserving students of PEC and in current year 2012-13 QR50,000 has been approved and given to 14 families. 50 percent concession is also being provided for all students with special needs starting from this year. A special discount of 25 percent and 50 percent has been given to the third and fourth children of a family studying in PEC, respectively. 50 percent discount is also given to the children of PEC staff members every month. You have recently overhauled school uniform design and colour scheme. What was the reaction of the students and parents in this regard? Most of the parents state that they are pleased with the school’s new uniform. They have supported the uniform in a positive way by considering it to be a decent and well-designed dress. The colours have also been appreciated by them. The change is based on the belief that the way we wear, affects how we feel and behave. We need to strike the right balance between practicality and formality in line with life and work outside school. The uniform is available at the school in all sizes. We hope that this change is widely accepted by the parents and the community. During the whole process of costing and designing, multiple companies were contacted for price details and designs. Change in uniform brings several effects on students. It can also help students focus by drawing attention back towards schoolwork and away from fashion. Students have virtually no need to even think about their clothing, allowing them to streamline their daily activities. Maintaining a neat appearance is advantageous to the students for several reasons. It develops habits of neatness and cleanliness. It requires discipline and teaches them about the importance of their personal appearance. Uniform gives students a sense of belonging and encourages them to take pride in their school. Do you think co-curricular and curricular activities are important for proper upbringing and grooming of a child and what efforts are being made by your institution in this regard? All work but no play makes Jack a dull boy, reads the proverb which carries a lot of weight. Hence in educational institutions, the students must not be part of the academic world only; rather they must be encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities. It might happen that some children might not be good in academics but has a lot of potential in other activities. So it is the responsibility of every educational institution to encourage children to marshal their skills by allowing them to participate in the extra-curricular activities that they are good in. Extra-curricular activities must be made a mandatory part of the curriculum as it enhances the all-round development of a child. A child’s growth depends upon many factors and one such factor is his participation in co-curricular activities. Schools must have these activities in order to promote healthy learning on the school premises and for each child to understand and know his strong points. PEC management knows very well the importance of extra-curricular activities. Therefore, the Arts and Culture Department (ACD) has been established in order to provide students with the right opportunities. We manage these activities under different banners such as literary, sports, creative, science and field trips. We are also committed to developing and nurturing the various skills of students which will help them emerge as better human beings and professionals. These skills include learning time management and prioritising, getting involved in diverse interest, learning about long term commitments, making a contribution, raising self esteem and confidence and building interpersonal skills. We greatly support the initiatives taken by Qatar government to promote extra-curricular, sports and other healthy activities. These steps ensure the vision of the government to have a healthy society in Qatar. Pak Shamaa School and College celebrates Sports Day L N MALLICK PAK Shamaa School and College organised the National Sports Day at its premises recently. After the recitation of the Holy Quran, the function started with an impressive marchpast and spectacular physical training show. President of Pak Shamaa School Management Committee M A Shahid cut a ribbon to mark the event open. Students from the junior as well as the senior sections including Cambridge students took part in the various sports and athletic events such as cricket match, football match, slow cycle race, table tennis, badminton, wheel chair race, ring race, chatti race, female teachers race and musical chair involving parents and staff. Principal Nabila Kaukab, teaching staff, guests and a large number of parents were present on the occasion. The winners were awarded prizes and trophies for team as well as individual performances. . While International Stream and Cambridge students won the cricket match, the English medium wing emerged as the overall winner. Established in 1958, the PSS is the oldest M A Shahid, President of Pak Shamaa School Management Committee, cutting a ribbon to mark the event open. expatriate school in Qatar. It is affiliated to the Islamabad-based Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education. The institution inaugurated its Cambridge school system recently to cater to the educational needs of different nationalities residing in the country. School’s own purpose-built building is spread over an area of 10,000 square metres which was inaugurated in April 2010. The Next Generation Kindergarten and Primary School holds Sports Day The Sports Day at the Next Generation Kindergarten (TNG) and Primary School started with a march past by tiny tots. The flag bearer led the formation around the field. The oath-taking ceremony included all the students and teachers. The races Principal Nabila Kaukab presenting a trophy to a student. began with the adorable Early Years students lined up for exciting and very unique challenges like milk drinking, musical chairs, muffin eating and balloon sandwich race. Key Stage 1 and 2 moved from fun filling races to rekindling the competitive spirit. The accompanying chants and vibrant colours added to the background. Everyone enjoyed the day thoroughly and quite a few went home winners with their prizes tucked under their arm. Located on main E-Ring road between Al Thumama roundabout and Mesaimeer traffic signal, TNG school system provides quality education of an international standard. The vision and mission of the TNG is aligned in accordance with the strategy of Qatar’s Supreme Education Council. For events and press releases contact LN Mallick by email at qatar.editor@gmail.com or call (974) 44422077.
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Qatar gives $100mn in aid to Syrians - Qatar Tribune

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