TOGETHER: A file photo showing winners from the 2014 championship with QTC members.

By Umer Nangiana



Qatar Toastmasters Club (QTC) is all set to organise the preliminary rounds of Qatar Open Youth Public Speaking Championship tomorrow.
Keeping up with its tradition of holding healthy competitions every year, the QTC will select young speakers from the preliminary rounds to make it to the semi-finals.
“The aim of the championship is to boost self-confidence in the youth and to improve their communication skills,” Rukhsana Khan, President Qatar Toastmasters Club (QTC), told Community.
TI is a leading global non-profit organisation dedicated to the development of communication and leadership skills of adults and children. QTC has helped transform many aspiring young speakers to develop their skills not only in public speaking but also in leadership.
As part of their community service, and in keeping with the principles and national strategy embodied in the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), Qatar Open is key in developing and enhancing human potential, according to QTC.
“By providing a platform for confident self-expression, Qatar Open empowers Qatar’s students to achieve their aspirations and equips them with vital skills to contribute to society,” says QTC. “We believe we are training today’s youth in Qatar to face the communication and leadership challenges of tomorrow, thereby supporting the QNV 2030 Pillars of human and social development within the local community.”
The much anticipated public speaking contest is held annually in English, for young people between 13 and 18 years of age.
Khan said more than 140 students from different schools have registered with QTC for the preliminary round to be held this Friday. Only 35 will make it to semi-finals after going through a rigorous selection criteria.
“We have a very diverse group of students coming from different nationalities and cultures. It adds to the meaning of the competition,” said the President of QTC.
The topics from the preliminary rounds and semi-finals will be given to the students by the QTC while the finalists will select their own topics, she added.
“Such competitions goes a long way in improving the self-confidence in the young people which further helps them in career development later in their lives,” said Khan.
This year marks the 18th consecutive year for this contest which is rapidly growing in popularity. It will be held over three Fridays (27th March, 17th April and 8th May). Finalists selected through two elimination rounds will showcase their oratory skills in the grand finale, vying to become the Champion Youth Speaker of Qatar for 2015.
Preliminary and semi-finalist rounds will be held in Birla Public School, and the grand finale will be at the College of North Atlantic-Qatar.


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