HH the Heir Apparent and Chairman of the Supreme Education Council Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani patronised the Education Excellence Day ceremony (2011/2012), held at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday morning. The ceremony was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, HE the Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah and a number of Their Excellencies the Sheikhs and Ministers, several ambassadors accredited to Qatar, senior education officials and guardians of the honoured students.
By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff Reporter
Meritorious Qatari graduates from secondary schools, university and a PhD student, distinguished teachers and outstanding schools were yesterday felicitated during the Education Excellence Day held at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
The outstanding awardees, comprising 13 Independent school students, five university graduates, one PhD student, one teacher, two schools and one scientific research, received their awards in the presence of HH the Heir Apparent and Supreme Education Council’s president Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani.
During the event held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Tamim, the winners of scientific excellence were given platinum and gold medals and certificates of excellence in addition to cash prizes.
In his address, the Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary-General of the Supreme Education Council HE Saad bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud, congratulated the successful students and other awardees saying: “Investing in the Qatari human will remain the foremost wager of the education sector toward sustainable development and to realise the goals and objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, which stipulates for our education to be distinguished and of high quality.”
While making reference to a quote by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who said “comprehensive development can only be achieved through serious investment in suitable education that meets the needs of the times”, al-Mahmoud described excellence as a critical requirement to build capacities and to enrich national gains.
He also made reference to a quote made by HH the Heir Apparent during his keynote speech that reads: “The Education Excellence Day is a reminder that the human capital is the most precious asset and therefore, we have to maintain it and nurture it. Our conviction is firm that developing strategies and implementing plans are important to improve human efficiency and enhance the human capital, which in its value surpasses natural wealth, which, at the end of the day, is a means to higher ends.”
Al-Mahmoud explained that the leadership’s interests in human wealth are defined through the employment of the students’ potentials and investing in their knowledge and thoughts in serving the country.
“We profoundly believe in partnership with the community in nurturing excellent individuals, equally including the private sector, civil society, community leaders, intellectuals and scholars, because fostering excellence and talented individuals is a joint responsibility and not limited solely to the government,” he said.
The official said that excellence warrants the consolidation of all efforts, on solid and sound scientific bases, to ensure the effectiveness and continuity of their effort, keeping in mind that the fruits and outputs of excellence are a public property for both the community and the State, the fruits of which shall benefit all in various forms.
“As our outstanding children, you have a duty to embrace this challenge, show determination, hone your will and draw inspiration from the supportive political will and take responsibility in building yourselves and prepare it for a better future, because in doing so, you build Qatar,” he told the awardees.
Al Bayan Secondary Independent School graduate Maryam Yusuf Obaidan, who spoke on behalf of the award recipients, said “achieving success and excellence has not been easy and has not come out of the blue”.
“Our success is rather the result of hard work, perseverance, conscientiousness as well as the focus on learning and scientific research. It is the fruit of seriousness and commitment to the guidance of our respectful professors and a rich educational environment provided to us thanks to our beloved State that was conducive to achieving high quality standards,” she said in her speech.
The awardees included:
– PhD Platinum award - Dr Aiman Mohmood M Erbad (Computer Science from the University of British Columbia, Canada).
- Excellent Teacher Award-Secondary Level - Muna Nafa H al-Obaidly (Al Shaymaa Independent Secondary School).
- Outstanding University Student Award-Platinum medal - Mariam Abdulrazak Ahmed al-Meer (Texas A & M University at Qatar-Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering).
- Outstanding University Graduates-Golden Award: Lolwa Yaqoub Y al-Jefairi (Northwestern University at Qatar - Bachelor of Science in Communication); Ahmad Ali Ahmed al-Kuwari (Qatar University-Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering); Shahd Jamal Nasser Al-Awami al-Hajri (Qatar University -Bachelor of Business and Economics/ Finance); and Al Jawhara Hassan A A al-Thani (Georgetown University at Qatar - Bachelor of Science in Foreign Services/Cultural and Politics).
- Outstanding Student Award (Secondary School Graduates)-Platinum Medal: Maryam Yousef Ali Obaidan (Al Bayan Independent Secondary School); Mohamed Ahmad Hashem al-Sada (Ahmed Bin Hanbal Independent Secondary School); Maryam Mohamed Saeed Abdulla (Al Bayan Independent Secondary School); and Ali Hamad A al-Thani (Qatar Academy)
- Outstanding Student Award (Secondary School Graduates)- Golden Award: Mohamed Rashid M al-Sulaiti (Omar Ibn Al Khattab Independent Secondary School); Fatima Mohamed al-Maadid (Al Bayan Independent Secondary School); Reem Rashid M al-Khulaifi (Al Bayan Independent Secondary School); Jawaher Shafeea Rashed al-Marri (Asseliya Secondary Independent School); Al-Anood Hamad A al-Kuwari (Al Bayan Independent Secondary School); Nada Mohamed Wafa Arakji (Doha College); Dhabiya Juma Abdullah al-Kubaisi (Qatar Academy); Fatima Salem Al-Yazidi al-Yafei (Qatar Secondary School); and Sarah Yousef Abdullah al-Mehaiza (Al Shamal Secondary Independent School).
- Outstanding Scientific Research-Golden Award was given to the Scientific Research on “The Relation of Speed with Traffic Accidents” by Wesal Al-Nahdi (researcher- Arresala Secondary Independent School).
- Outstanding School-Golden Award: The Gulf English Private School (Principal Mona K al-Halabi); and Ahmed Bin Hanbal Independent Secondary School for Boys (Principal Jameel K al-Shemari).
- Best Performing School in Qatar Comprehensive Educational Assessment- Golden Award: Maymouna Elementary Independent School for Girls (Principal Nadia M Laram).
