Dr Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist and environmental scientist, visited United School International (USI) at The Pearl Island.
Goodall arrived in Qatar as a guest of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to speak at the 2023 Earthna Summit on 'Building New Sustainability Pathways for Hot and Arid Environments’.
While in Qatar, Goodall visited USI, which opened its doors to students in August 2022 and has quickly become an integral part of the educational landscape of Doha, a press statement noted.
USI’s younger students had the opportunity to speak with Dr Goodall about the environmental projects they’ve been working on in their classrooms. Some of the older students also heard Dr Goodall speak about her life’s work and her ‘Roots and Shoots’ programme, which supports the next generation in understanding the power and influence of their voice and actions to create change.
"Through nearly 60 years of groundbreaking work, Dr Goodall has not only shown us the urgent need to protect chimpanzees from extinction, but she has also redefined species conservation to include the needs of local people and the environment.
"Today, she travels the world speaking about the threats facing chimpanzees and environmental crises, urging each of us to take action on behalf of all living things and the planet we share," the statement said.
This was an opportunity for USI’s students to meet a truly inspirational figure. Aside from being one of the world’s leading scientists and conservationists, Goodall is also a UN Messenger of Peace, the statement added.
USI is a partnership between United Development Company (UDC) and UK-based Orbital Education.
The school is currently home to more than 700 students, studying an enhanced British curriculum as part of an outstanding international education.