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An accidental introduction for Indian expatriate Devnath Sasidharan into the world of First Person View (FPV) drone racing later became a passion leading him to represent his country at several international competitions. The Qatar resident otherwise knew little about the emerging sport of drone racing during 2017-18 when he was participating in an event at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. Devnath Sasidharan and teammates victorious at Asia Drone League. “As a student of National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, I was participating in a multicopter challenge organised by IIT Bombay. I fabricated a design and a 3D printed multicopter platform to attend the competition but could not win. My friend and teammate Nimesh controlled the software,” recalled Sasidharan. “At the same time, there was a drone racing competition going on at another part of Mumbai. Out of curiosity I went there and was fascinated to find drones flying at a very high speed. This was something new for me. This was in 2017 when the hobby was just emerging and I decided to try my hand at it,” he continued. Thereafter, there was no looking back for the young lad as he took part in about 30 FPV drone racing competitions and won most of them. Recently he started working as a robotic software engineer in the research and development department of a leading organisation and has been travelling extensively to various countries but still finds time for his passion of drone racing. FPV drone racing is a sport where participants control drones equipped with cameras while wearing head-mounted displays showing the live stream camera feed from the drones. Similar to full size air racing, the goal is to complete a set course as quickly as possible. In fact, Sasidharan was among the 10 or 12 students selected out of 400 applicants in his college for the robotic club when he started his engineering programme. “I had an interest in aeromodelling and started building plane models -fixed ones and remote controlled models of air links. I built a couple of air models and wanted to get into the next stage and this took me into the world of drones and drone racing and then the Mumbai experience happened,” explained, Sasidharan. With generous cash awards, Sasidharan said he could manage to self-support in each competition. “Winning a national competition - Indian Drone Festival 2.0 held at ITDA Dehradun by Dehradun Drones Institute was a huge moment as this helped me represent India in an Asian competition in Malaysia. Another major competition was for the Asia, Australia Pacific region where I came third. I have won over 20 competitions altogether. I could self-fund for all the competitions because of the prize money I won in all the competitions,” he added.

* Minister announces 'My Skills, My Future’ initiative, aimed at supporting students to develop their future skills * Importance of protecting national identity of Qatar’s young people highlighted   HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi yesterday announced the ‘My Skills, My Future’ initiative and emphasised that protecting the national identity, digital transformation, support for educators and reinforcement of higher education to meet the needs of the job market are some of the key components of Qatar’s education. HE al-Nuaimi made these observations while speaking at Qatar Foundation’s Education City Speaker Series Bel Arabi at Qatar National Library, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. 'My Skills, My Future’ is currently in its planning stage, and is aimed at supporting students to develop their future skills – such as technological and communication skills – through curricula and education camps, enabling them to meet the challenges of the labour market. It is one of 13 initiatives as part of the ministry’s strategic plan for education, four of which were unveiled this week. HE the Minister highlighted the importance of protecting the national identity of Qatar’s young people from “cultural dissolution” in the information age, and equipping its students with 21st-century skills. She also noted the importance of adapting to the changing education scenario after the Covid-19 pandemic. “Education prior to Covid-19 is different from what it is after the pandemic. There is a belief that we have to re-conceptualise the system of education. Education has to change in the aftermath of the pandemic which is reality. We have to set the different strategies to overcome the negative impacts of the pandemic,” she noted. HE al-Nuaimi also spoke about how Qatar’s e-learning strategy aims to elevate students’ digital skills and “stimulate their curiosity in modern methods of learning”, and the process of shaping the nation’s education roadmap for the next eight years. “Education is a humanitarian and social process. Its primary goal is to nurture active and good human beings who believe in their role in building their society and their nation, and in contributing to spreading goodness, justice and beauty in this world,” she said. She explained that Qatar’s strategic direction for education places students at its core “so they can seek lifelong learning provided by education, flexibility, curiosity, passion and creativity”, with a focus on teachers as “role models” who “inspire and empower themselves to achieve excellence”. She remarked how the views of both students and teachers had been sought in shaping Qatar’s e-learning strategy, and described schools as being “a student’s second home, and they need to feel they belong there in order to grow”. “Education is a great responsibility that rests on everyone’s shoulders – let’s work together to keep the torch of learning glowing and make Qatar a beacon of science, knowledge, and peace in the world,” she exhorted the gathering. The discussion – which took place in the Arabic language – saw HE the Minister say: “It is imperative for us to have policies and frameworks in place to protect our young people and their national identity from cultural dissolution amid the unprecedented flow of information that comes to them across all communication channels. “Our national and local identity and our culture – inspired by our religion, our customs and traditions, and our Arabic language – is the foundation of this. It is at the core of building the Qatari personality, which is rooted in our values while at the same time being open to the world.” HE al-Nuaimi pointed out that educating children and young people “is no longer confined to sciences, or gaining knowledge”, saying: “Human skills are very important in dealing with the challenges of life." “That is why we have focused on developing our students’ 21st-century skills, encouraging them to think in a critical way which will help them transition smoothly to higher education, and then to be competitive in the regional and international labor market while being aware of the needs of this market,” she added. Reflecting Qatar Foundation’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, the Education City Speaker Series Bel Arabi event with HE al-Nuaimi was held with Arabic sign language being available.    

The unveiling of the uniform of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 volunteers was among the highlights of a dazzling orientation event held at Lusail Stadium on Friday. An incredibly motivated group of more than 16,000 volunteers, joined by thousands who followed online from around the world, gathered at the stadium for the official orientation event – a festive ceremony featuring football legends and 2022 FIFA World Cup top brass. The event-filled evening was aimed at building a greater sense of community and helping everyone become more familiar with their respective activities across 45 different functional roles by giving them a glimpse of the challenges and rewards in store. The largest of the host venues for the upcoming FIFA World Cup served as a fitting backdrop for this important milestone gathering, which marked the first time that all selected volunteers were assembled together for the formal start of their training journey and a momentous opportunity to reflect on the road ahead. Over the course of the evening, the full scope of the volunteer journey was delivered through entertaining video presentations which included an introduction to the e-learning platform where volunteers receive general subject training in topics such as sustainability, cultural awareness and customer services in order to better perform their basic service role. Through the new platform, volunteers will have access to a key informational resource and e-learning modules that allow them to prepare themselves for their roles at their own convenience and regardless of locale, for the many volunteers arriving from abroad. For the next stages of their journey, volunteers will start their general and role-specific training online and venue training at the actual sites where they will be based and perform their roles. The in-person venue-specific training is one of the final stages, which gives volunteers a hands-on taste of the tasks they will be performing in the actual venues where they will be assigned. The regularly updated portal will continue to serve as a knowledge and operational resource with refreshers and tips on maintaining health and well-being. Yasir al-Jamal, director-general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), opened the event, welcoming the assembled volunteers and thanking them for their significant contribution to the incredible fan experience ahead, and overall success of the World Cup. FIFA’s chief operating officer – World Cup and managing director for Q22, Colin Smith, struck a note of gratitude and inclusivity, saying: “Volunteers are our true heartbeat because their passion and selfless devotion sustain everything we do.” “That’s the common thread that unites 20,000 volunteers, irrespective of nationality, culture, age, gender and experience,” he said. “It’s through their efforts that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar can be considered the most inclusive ever and will connect people from all cultures and backgrounds through the game of football.” A much-anticipated highlight of the evening was the official volunteer uniform reveal, which garnered cheers from the appreciative crowd. Styled in the signature volunteer colours of black, white, mint and purple, the adidas-designed outfits bear the brand’s triple-stripe detail and a distinctive heart logo design to represent the volunteer spirit. Volunteers are fitted from top to bottom with a full wardrobe of caps, long and short sleeve tops, jackets, pants, socks and shoes, plus optional head scarves for female volunteers. The event’s upbeat atmosphere was led by celebrity hosts Abood Afro and Anshou Jain, mixing dance performances and video highlight reels with messages of encouragement from English football superstar David Beckham and Australia’s top FIFA World Cup scorer, former Aussie national Tim Cahill. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC chief executive Nasser al-Khater appeared on stage with Smith to answer questions about the significance and wider impact of such a massive volunteer campaign. “We hope first that each volunteer will have gained valuable skills, experiences and friendships that will enrich their lives and just make them better, happier, more confident people, regardless of their continued path,” al-Khater said. “This is a fine legacy for any nation,” he said. “From the macro-view, I’m confident that societies will start to embrace a wider culture of volunteerism as an expression of both national pride and self-betterment, as it’s something which also aligns with our traditional values of honour and generosity.” Volunteer Strategy manager Nasser al-Mogaiseeb shared praise for the critical stakeholders involved in supporting the volunteer programme. “The outstanding quality and sheer volume of our volunteer programme would have been unthinkable without the abiding support of all our critical volunteer stakeholders, who represent the true pillars of community volunteerism in Qatar,” he said. “Over the past year, our joint Volunteer Legacy Group has provided essential help in spreading awareness, training and recruitment of volunteers through the combined resource networks of Qatar Foundation, Qatar Voluntary Centre, Qatar Museums, Qatar Charity, Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Red Crescent Society, Education Above All Foundation, Tomoh, Nama, Qatar University and Qatar Football Association,” al-Mogaiseeb said. “They have contributed to the generous team behind our team of valued volunteers.” One of the volunteers, Rishon Tom Mathew from India, told Gulf Times that he is excited and raring to take part in the volunteering activities. “I just completed school, and am planning to go for higher studies in January next year,” he said, adding: “I just landed on Friday after cutting short my vacation to take part in the programme.” “I have a few months to spare, and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to take part in some very creative and exciting events,” Mathew said. “This will be a great milestone in my life and I am raring to go and get involved in the activities. This is a dream come true for me.” Areeba Faisal from Pakistan, a 19-year old volunteer and “Ruwaad Pioneer”, said: “When I saw the uniform and the colour combination, I took a minute to look at everything because the design was so cool! The fact that they thought of making a ‘hijab’ is amazing, simply because it’s convenient to have all of it matching and I really appreciate it.” Eric Apedo, 29, from Ghana felt the evening’s programme made him prouder and more prepared for his upcoming role as an accreditation volunteer. “I’m (feeling) emotional, thinking about where I’ve come from, the friends I’ve made, and my responsibility working the final match of the FIFA World Cup right here in Lusail Stadium,” he said. “But one of the messages from today is to be yourself, because we all have something unique to offer.” “So, I feel confident. And the fact that I’m here with all these people who love football and who love volunteering, I feel we are a big community with one heart,” Apedo added. The event included dance and music presentations.

* UDST organises career fair with participation of over 50 companies   The number of students at University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has tripled in the last couple of years, a top university official said on Wednesday. “There has been a great increase in the number of students in the last two years with several new programmes introduced in all colleges of the university. In 2020, the student population was over 2,000 and currently we have more than 6,100 students at the campus,” Dr Salem Al-Naemi, president of UDST, said in reply to a question from Gulf Times. Dr Al-Naemi was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a career fair organised by UDST with the participation of over 50 companies in the country. “The career fair is an occasion and an opportunity for the students to look for careers after completing their programmes or for internships. This provides opportunities for the student community to have an idea of the job market and get prepared accordingly. The students will also have the opportunity to explore and higher studies opportunities at other universities who are present at the fair,” explained Dr Al-Naemi. The two-day fair, aimed at providing employment and sponsorship opportunities, gave visitors a chance to delve into the professional world, enquire about the key skills employers look for, and discover the vacancies available in the marketplace. Leading up to the event, the career services team at UDST hosted preparatory sessions for students and alumni to practise their job pitch skills, receive interview tips and help sharpen their resumes. The first day of the fair was dedicated to career awareness through exhibitor-led sessions. Topics such as teamwork, soft skills and professionalism, workplace communication, durable skills for the future workplace, competencies, interview techniques, industry insights, cyber security and career expansion were discussed respectively by professionals from Milaha, North Oil Company, Qatalum, Qatar Chemical Company, Qatar Petrochemical Company, talabat, Ooredoo, National Cyber Security Agency and Vodafone. On the second day of the fair, companies were provided with personalised booths to exhibit their services and gain access to potential candidates who align with their interests. “UDST’s academic model is a successful example of how a higher education institution can develop work-ready graduates. We adopt an applied approach to education and collaborate with industry partners and experts to develop programmes that help respond to the economy’s needs for innovators, entrepreneurs, and a highly skilled workforce. UDST’s career fair is an opportunity for prospective employers to attract the most talented candidates and a chance for our students and alumni to show what they’re capable of and also attend seminars and lectures that further develop their knowledge and skills. UDST also boasts a career services section, to assist students with career plans and job search techniques and help them sharpen their employability skills,” added Dr Al-Naemi. UDST will hold the career fair on a yearly basis to provide a space for students, alumni, and employers to interact, network, share information, and explore numerous career opportunities. The event will offer insights as well, into the organisations’ culture and the way candidates envision their career paths. All sectors of the economy were represented at the career fair including banking and finance, technology, telecommunications, engineering, healthcare, the oil and gas industry, and more.    

A Qatar-based scientist has advocated the use of wastewater treated to the tertiary level for agricultural irrigation to help realise some of the goals of the country in sustainability. “If treated to the tertiary level – which is the final stage of the multi-stage wastewater cleaning process which removes organic and inorganic compounds, bacteria, viruses, and parasites – treated wastewater can safely be used for agricultural irrigation,” said Dr Sa’d Abdel-Halim Shannak, a scientist at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, part of Qatar Foundation’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). “Treated wastewater is currently being used in Qatar but is limited to non-agricultural use such as irrigation of green belts, artificial recharge of groundwater aquifers and growing animal fodder. However, there remains a large quantity of treated wastewater - up to 40% - which at certain times of the year is either discharged to lagoons or injected to the deep aquifers,” explained Dr Shannak in an article published by Qatar Foundation recently. According to the scientist, Qatar plans to achieve 70% self-sufficiency in the production of certain vegetables by 2023 but the water resource remains a major concern to sustainably continue its journey. “Maximising use of treated wastewater and pricing reform,” are two key action points advocated by Dr Shannak. Qatar’s lone source of natural water – groundwater - is overused and its extraction rate is four times its replenishment rate, and its biggest consumer is the agricultural sector at 91% . According to the scientist, the only source of water the country has in surplus is recycled water or treated wastewater, which "is a source that will continue to be available for as long as there is human life,” he said. Dr Shannak, however, does not support the use of desalinated seawater for agricultural purposes. He remarked: “Seawater is highly saline, and the cost of desalinating it, both in terms of energy and financial, is very high. Because of the low salinity of wastewater treatment, it’s considerably less energy-intensive to treat, and therefore costs less too.” The approximate energy required to produce one cubic metre of water through desalination is reported to be 1.5-7 kWh/m3, whereas for wastewater treatment it is only 0.62-0.87 kWh/m3. In terms of financial costs, the cost of desalination reported ranges between $0.52-1.30/m3, whereas the estimated cost of wastewater treatment is reported to be $0.29/m3. “It just makes sense, both financially as well as energy-wise, and is a very viable way to extend the life of our rather limited existing groundwater supply stock,” highlighted, Dr Shannak. Several countries are already using treated wastewater for agriculture. However, there are some barriers to adopting this seemingly logical and much-needed solution. Dr Shannak explained: “The problem with recycled water is purely psychological. Truth is, several of the fruits that we buy here today are grown in Europe where treated waste water is already being used for agriculture, so we are already consuming it, albeit unknowingly.” Commenting on the religious aspect of it, Dr Abdulazeem Abozaid, professor, College of Islamic Studies at HBKU, said: “If it passes the relevant quality checks and is deemed fit for consumption then there is absolutely no issue in using it. In Islam, the source of water is irrelevant. In fact, according to Sharia, if the water is tasteless, colourless, and odourless then it can even be used for ablution.” “Innovation is what we need through and through, not just by using new technologies, but also by accepting unconventional but viable sources of water and adopting responsible behaviour when it comes to water consumption,” added Dr Shannak.    

The Indian community in Qatar celebrated the 75th anniversary of Independence on Monday with patriotic fervour. Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and unfurled the Indian flag amid the rendering of the national anthem in the presence of a large gathering on the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) premises. Prominent community members, office-bearers of the apex bodies under the embassy as well as several invitees were present on the occasion. Following the national anthem, Dr Mittal read excerpts from the message of Indian President Draupadi Murmu, who in her maiden speech as the president of India conveyed the greetings of the day to all Indians around the globe. “It is a cause of celebration not only for all of us but also for every advocate of democracy around the world. When India won independence, there were many international leaders and experts who were skeptical about the success of democratic form of government in India. They had their reasons to be doubtful. In those days, democracy was limited to economically advanced nations. India, after so many years of exploitation at the hands of foreign rulers, was marked by poverty and illiteracy. But we Indians proved the skeptics wrong. Democracy not only grew roots in this soil, it was enriched too,” Murmu said in her address. The Indian president noted that for a nation, particularly an ancient one such as India, the passage of 75 years is merely a blink of an eye. “But for us as individuals, it is a lifetime. Senior citizens among us have witnessed a dramatic change in their lifetime. They have seen how, after Independence, all the generations have toiled hard; how we met great challenges and how we have taken charge of our destiny. The lessons learnt in the process will prove useful as we move towards the next milestone in the journey of the nation – the Amrit Kaal, the 25 years to the celebration of the centenary of our independence,” she said. “By the year 2047, we will have fully realised the dreams of our freedom fighters. We will have given a concrete shape to the vision of those who, led by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, drafted the constitution. We are already on course to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat, an India that would have realised its true potential,” the president added. Ambassador Dr Mittal highlighted the importance of celebrating 75the anniversary of Indian Independence and how the Indian community has positively reciprocated to the occasion. He also congratulated the Indian community for their hard work and involvement in the activities of the 75the anniversary of its Independence. “We have conducted more than 90 events under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative. The community leaders and various apex bodies actively involved in the programmes and in organising so many events and getting the participation of a large number of community members,” the envoy said. During the event, winners of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Quiz held in January were felicitated by the ambassador and medals in each of non-resident Indian and foreigner category were handed over. A cake was cut to celebrate the occasion. The ceremony concluded with a number of cultural performances, including patriotic songs and dances presented by Indian organisations. ICC president P N Baburajan proposed the vote of thanks. Meanwhile, Independence Day celebrations were also organised at Indian schools around Qatar.    

Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal has urged the community members to make use of the recently launched mobile application ‘India in Qatar’ as well as the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) helpline to keep in touch with the embassy at any time. “Your embassy is your home, away from your home. We are there round-the-clock to support you. Our effort remains that the embassy will connect with every Indian, all the 750,000 plus community members who have made Qatar their second home. We will strive hard to ensure your welfare and wellbeing and work shoulder to shoulder to address all your needs,” the envoy told the gathering at yesterday's flag hoisting ceremony to mark the 75 anniversary of Indian independence. “I appeal you to make use of the two facilities that have been set up by the embassy. One is ‘India in Qatar’, a mobile application. I urge each one of you to download the application and register. You can get in touch with the embassy at any point of time through your phone. Our effort would be to come back to you within 24 hours to discuss and help you with any issues that you have,” the envoy explained. “The second initiative is the call centre, PBSK. We are going to come out with a unique toll free number soon for this call centre. You can call in and raise any queries in multiple Indian languages. Community members can ask for assistance on any subject and if the call centre is not able to answer the queries instantly, we will come back with the assistance within 24 hours,” continued, Dr Mittal. As for the bilateral relations between Qatar and India, the ambassador said that India’s 75 year journey also comprises of 50 years of India-Qatar relations. He highlighted strong bilateral trade and energy ties, interdependence of both the countries with respect to energy and food security, defence and security co-operation, education and cultural co-operation. He also pointed out that India is among the top countries in trade volume with Qatar. Dr Mittal praised the work and activities of all four apex bodies working under the aegis of the embassy and encouraged them to do more. He also highlighted the growing presence of Indian schools in Qatar almost 20 of them in total catering to more than 50,000 Indian students as well as one Indian university.    

  Excitement is mounting up in the country and football fever is seething through the population as Qatar is all set to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the countdown to the tournament is now in double digits. Sword dance by the nationals Enthusiastic football fans thronged the Mall of Qatar and other locations Saturday as the grand finale of the 100 days countdown of the mega event organised by the Supreme Committee for Legacy and Delivery (SC) took place with several activities. Spread over three days and with a number of activities that took place at Doha Festival City, Place Vendome and the Mall of Qatar, Qatar has set the stage ready for the world’s biggest sporting event that will kick-start from November 20. An Arabic cultural programme At the Mall of Qatar, large number of people could be seen participating in the events that catered to all categories of people. Football enthusiasts spared no efforts to be actively involved in the programmes at the malls who included children, youngsters, ladies among others. They were also actively involved in the competition to score goals as the highest scorer will be rewarded with a ticket for the opening ceremony. An African folk programme In addition, there were some scintillating cultural programmes that entertained the football fans who had flocked the mall. Some cultural events by Indian, African and Arab expatriates took the fans to ecstasy as they joined the performers to dance along with them. To top it all, the the cultural programmes by the expatriate communities were followed by the traditional Qatari dance, Ardha (Sword Dance). Football fans also flocked at other malls to join the countdown. Doha Festival City and Place Vendome had set up activities including football games, e-games, performance and special giveaways. The destinations witnessed participation of a large number of football fans who lined up for their turn to take part in the events. A percussion performance by an Indian group “The SC is offering a number of games for us to participate. This is a great opportunity for us to witness and participate in a lifetime event. I can’t even believe that I am going to witness and watch in person such a mega event. These activities are a big build-up for the real thing that will take place in November- December,” said Abdul Hashim, an Indian expatriate who was an eager participant at one of the games at the Mall of Qatar. A dance by a group of expatriates. PICTURES: Thajudheen Meanwhile, sports bodies, several government and semi government entities as well as other organisations joined the festivities through social media postings, photos or videos. Steadily and surely the nation is gripped by the football fever and everyone is swinging to the tunes the theme song of the tournament. The SC has also announced that Qatar will host a vast array of cultural and entertainment options during the FIFA World Cup. The country-wide festival will include more than 90 special events set to take place on the sidelines of the tournament. The major events will feature match viewing areas, music festivals, cultural displays and street performances. While the six miles of Corniche stretch from Sheraton Doha to MIA Park will be the epicentre of the activities, there will be many places such as Al Bidda Park, Al Maha Island among several other spots across the country that will host several mega events.

Researchers in Qatar are making use of precision medicine to fight against breast cancer as several steps are being adopted to prevent and treat the disease. Speaking to Gulf Times recently, Dr Jithesh Puthenveetil, an associate professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, part of Qatar Foundation (QF), had noted that by providing precise diagnosis and treatment, precision medicine can help in predicting the risk of developing complex diseases such as cancer and diabetes, as well as predicting the likely outcome from such a disease. “Extensive implementation of precision medicine will help shift the focus of healthcare to the individual patient, leading to more patient-centric care. There will be further move from the concept of ‘precision medicine’ to ‘precision health’, where prediction of risk and prevention of diseases will be the priority,” Dr Puthenveetil says. Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and the most common malignancy among women in Qatar accounting for 31% of cases in women. According to an article on QF website, precision medicine is providing new hope to patients and their families in Qatar by utilising international and local medicine-based evidence with Qatar’s unique genetic profile as the basis for a plethora of studies. At 'Women in Science: The Journey toward Precision Medicine' conference held by Sidra Medicine – a QF member, Dr Salha Bujassoum, senior medical oncologist at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), provided frontline insights into how Qatar’s national research efforts and clinical services have advanced and how collaborative efforts in Qatar are improving survival rates and revolutionising treatment. Dr Bujassoum highlighted how researchers at NCCCR, Sidra Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, a QF partner and other research hubs are employing precision medicine to transform the understanding of breast cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. She said: “Precision medicine is a strategy for disease treatment and prevention that considers individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle – it’s about using genetic biomarkers to switch from one-size-fits-all treatment to a personalised approach. “Precision medicine aims for optimised tumour response to treatment combined with the preservation of organ function and, thus, quality of life. The concept of an individualised approach is not new in the field of breast cancer; however, recent advances in genomic medicine allowed more personalised approaches.” A better understanding of breast cancer molecular sub-types is enabling doctors to reduce their reliance on chemotherapy, with its savage side-effects, and instead look to new options such as immunotherapy, which helps the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells, as well as hormone therapy and drugs that directly target the tumour. Speaking on breast cancer prevention, Dr Salha described how NCCCR launched its high-risk screening clinic in 2013 to cater to patients with a hereditary predisposition to breast and ovarian cancers, which was expanded in 2016 to manage patients at high risk for other hereditary cancers. “In terms of prevention, we are applying risk reduction strategies not only for the person who has the relevant gene mutation but also members of their families, and we are doing this routinely,” she said.“The median age of diagnosis for our breast cancer patients is 47 years and around 30% of cases are diagnosed below the age of 40; young onset breast cancer is typically a more aggressive disease than that experienced by older women.” Dr Bujassoum emphasised that early diagnosis and better treatment rested on a combination of effective clinical care, education and research. “The major risk factor for cancer in general is decreased physical activity, which creates obesity, and there is a growing body of research about the microbiome, as well as the link between Vitamin D deficiency and incidence of malignancy. So, we need to look to modifiable risk factors in our local communities and study these in our populations and consider how we can decrease risk by modifying lifestyle,” she added.

To highlight sustainable development and celebrate the 50th anniversary of US-Qatar diplomatic relations, ‘Across Borders: Textile Heritage', a pop-up exhibition was opened at M7, Msheireb Downtown Doha, Saturday. The charge d’affaires of the US embassy, Evyenia Sidereas, was the guest honour on the occasion who pinned a shawl to the exhibition site to mark the opening of the event. Several dignitaries, including Greek ambassador Eleni Michalopoulou, were present at the exhibition which is open to visitors until August 30. From Right: Evyenia Sidereas, Lauren Michelle Morell and Sarah Hannibal along with an M7 official at the exhibition. Designed and curated by Lauren Michelle Morell, a 2020 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, the exhibition aims to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of fast fashion and pay homage to sustainable Qatari Bedouin and indigenous American textile traditions through cross cultural garments. Rooted in both Qatari and indigenous American cultures, the exhibition showcases innovative approaches to preserving traditional and sustainable practices, highlighting Qatari sadu weaving and indigenous American patterns. Another view of some of the exhibits. In contrast to modern fashion production, the garments embody traditional, environmentally friendly textiles and promote the legacy of zero-waste processes. Lauren and her weaving collaborator, Sarah Hannibal, help viewers trace the traditions of Qatar and the Americas and reflect on sustainable sourcing and application of textiles and fabrics. In addition to garments, the exhibition features a short documentary tracing the traditions of sadu, filmed in collaboration with Heenat Salma Farm and Caravane Earth. The exhibition focuses on heritage preservation, sustainability, and diversity, achieving the ethos of cultures in harmony. Evyenia Sidereas along with Lauren Michelle Morell pinning a shawl at the exhibition site. PICTURES: Thajudheen Speaking to Gulf Times, Morell said it took over three months for her to complete the garments in collaboration with Weaving in Doha of Sarah Hannibal. “All the garments have been made with upcycled materials. I have used curtain materials, blankets, rugs among others to make them. Altogether 10 garments have been designed and presented at the exhibition in addition to other products.” The designer said that she has plans to produce more such exhibits in the coming months. The exhibition is funded by a grant from the US State Department. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the exhibition, Sidereas said that the exhibition is one of the facets of the increasing ties between the US and Qatar. “Climate change is a major topic for Qatar and the US and we are looking at every opportunity to enhance environmentally sustainable and innovative technologies. We always focus on sustainable products and this exhibition is an example with the use of upcycled materials and it is one of the main themes that we want to highlight through this exhibition. The US is committed to support programmes that reduce carbon emissions, improve waste water production capacities and promote mutual values of self-expression and cultural preservation. This exhibition emphasises the importance of achieving environment friendly practices in every field including fashion,” said Sidereas. She also noted that there will be many more events coming up this year to mark the milestone of 50 years of diplomatic relations between both the nations and the annual strategic dialogue between the US and Qatar also is being planned. Morell is a contemporary Latin American fashion designer whose work is inextricably linked to the redefinition of tradition. A Puerto Rican national, she was brought up in different parts of the world, enriched by many cultures and studied in different countries and regions.

A study by two researchers has highlighted the importance of project management and Qatar’s effective and safe management of large gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as its efficient administration of vaccines to a large population. The study by Yasmin Ali Morad and Arun Chandrashekhar from Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) highlights three specific large gatherings during the period and how project management has been effectively carried out by PHCC on all of them. In an article published on Qscience.com, they note that the country was able rise to the challenges with very efficient project management measures, as the Covid-19 pandemic tested the limits of national public health infrastructures to an unprecedented extent. The researchers evaluated three case studies in project management implemented by PHCC over the course of 2020 and 2021: Covid-19 screening for HH the Amir Cup and Asian Football Confederation Champions League finals 2020, the FIFA Club World Cup 2020, and Qatar's National Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Project at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in 2021. They describe that each project described in this case series can be considered a success from a public health standpoint. This success was achieved through the implementation of strong project management practices developed and adopted by the Corporate Project Management Office at PHCC. According to their findings, the key themes arising from the three projects include the importance of developing a strategic plan, project management planning, clarifying and communicating roles and responsibilities, situational decision making, strong leadership, flexibility, result orientation in implementing the project, strong logistical support for providing necessary resources on the ground, and ensuring that staff at all levels are fully supported in performing their duties. In addition, the project management team was successful in building knowledge and experience across events with each successive project benefiting from lessons learned from previous projects. As a result of the strong record of project management established over the course of these experiences, PHCC was able to successfully manage the mass vaccination project with a high level of efficiency in comparison to similar national programmes implemented elsewhere, both regionally and globally. The researchers conclude that the successful implementation of these projects, maintaining a high level of client and staff safety and satisfaction, demonstrates the value of project planning and continuous monitoring in successful implementation even in the context of uncertain conditions such as a global pandemic. They suggest that public and community health authorities may benefit by applying similar principles as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to unfold. The study concludes that these experiences highlight the importance of developing an institutional culture that embodies the principles of change. The challenges of managing these major public health projects in the context of a global pandemic were met largely because of the capacity of the organisation to take an agile and adaptable project management approach. The necessity to adapt in response to unanticipated changes was built into the strategic planning process as well as into the operational protocols put into place during implementation. The study also recommends that there are a number of key considerations when planning for similar public health projects or any mass gathering sports events. A major suggestion is that investment in planning is critical in stable and crisis conditions. Although time may be of the essence, with the right people, tools, and support, effective planning can always be done. It also highlights the need to ensure consistent and strong leadership support as well as to certify that project governance is well developed and communicated, which could include defined roles and responsibilities for all team members. The researchers also point out the need to utilise project management tools and mindset to plan and implement in uncertain, complex, and dynamic conditions, both at strategic and operational levels, as projects usually bring changes. They argue for the need to pursue cross-sectoral collaboration during planning to ensure smooth collaboration on project goals and to reduce the potential for logistical supply chain and authority disruption.

Promising 'quality healthcare services at affordable prices to every section of the population' in Qatar, Reyada Medical Centre has opened its doors at C-Ring Road with a soft launch. Offering about 10 specialties and with more specialties to be added in the coming months, the new medical facility is expected to deliver full-fledged services by the end of August or early September this year. The soft launch was held in the presence of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, chairman, Reyada Healthcare,who was the guest of honour at the event. The function was also attended by Fathi Ibrahim Aburish and Major Ahmed Ibrahim al-Mansoori as well senior officials of the healthcare facility. Reyada Medical Centre (supplied picture). Sheikh Jassim said in a statement: “Reyada Medical Centre with its excellent team of doctors, medical and non-medical staff is poised to become a valuable addition to the healthcare sector in Qatar.” At a press conference Monday, the healthcare facility officials explained the specialties of the centre as well as its vision and motto. Reyada Medical Centre’s managing director Jamsheer Hamza, executive director and chief medical officer Dr Abdul Kalam and medical director Dr Manjunath were present. “We have the vision ‘Inspiring Better Health.’ We aim to create a healthier future for all by providing accessible, affordable, quality healthcare services," said Hamza. Urgent care facility at the health centre "We have about 150 staff with over 20 specialist doctors and large number of nurses and other paramedics. All our doctors are well experienced and we aim to empower our guests with world-class healthcare, ensuring that clinical and service excellence is within the reach of everyone,” added, Hamza. According to Dr Manjunath, the facility will cater to the needs of every segment of the society and will ensure that quality treatment will be provided to every patient. Dr Kalam, welcomed everyone and stated that this was just the beginning for the Reyada Healthcare group. Reyada Medical Centre is a fully digitalised clinic led by an expert team of highly experienced doctors and staff from around the world. With 10 departments presently functional (Internal medicine, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Radiology, Laboratory Medicine, General medicine, Orthodontics and General Dentistry), another nine departments will be added soon. The medical centre operates in accordance with the highest international standards of quality and offers world-class medical services. It has state-of-the-art radio diagnostics and laboratory medicine facilities, a fully equipped pharmacy and optical section. Located on C-Ring Road with ample car parking space, Reyada Medical Centre is open from 7am to midnight all days of the week.

Under the patronage and in the presence of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) held the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2022 on Tuesday. This was the first graduation ceremony of UDST after it became a national university as well as the 18th graduation since the establishment of the academic institution. A total of 477 students of the Class of 2022 graduated at the ceremony which was also attended by HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdulla al-Ghanem, in addition to a number of ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, president and members of the Board of Trustees, academics, members of the administrative and teaching staff and the parents of the graduates. UDST president Dr Salem Al-Naemi handed over the certificates to the graduates. HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, the guest speaker at the event, exhorted the students to excel in their future activities and contribute to the betterment of the country. “Let knowledge lead you, and constantly search for it, as it will drive your success, wisdom and innovation. Learn from your mistakes as well as from your successes. Be humble and appreciate the achievements of others around you. Take care of your colleagues, support each other and cooperate with each other, and be the positive energy and role models for future generations,” said the minister. Earlier, Dr Al-Naemi welcomed the gathering and highlighted the achievements of the institution over the last 20 years. “UDST is the frontrunner in the country in vocational training and the university has been undertaking a major role by providing highly qualified graduates in various fields of according to the needs of the country. The university has graduated more than 7,000 students dedicated to serve Qatar locally and internationally. UDST hosts more than 5,000 students across its four Colleges. They represent more than 70 nationalities reflecting a diversified community that shares the love of learning and works together for a better future,” he explained. "UDST is a student-oriented university, we believe in the ability of our students and we put 20 years of technical and vocational education and training experience in Qatar at their service. We work on developing their skills and knowledge, and we encourage them to achieve and perform at their best. Our aim is to help them self-develop and seek innovation that serves society and achieves sustainability under the Qatar National Vision 2030. The university has developed and actioned strategies in partnership with leading private and public entities which resulted in the reveal of multiple unique projects and the launch of new programs that respond to the requirements of the labour market,” added, Dr Al-Naemi. UDST’s first graduation ceremony witnessed the first cohort of Applied Master’s Degree holders in Diabetes Care and Patient Education. Students graduated from over 62 programmes, which are each tailored to the needs of Qatar’s economy. The number of graduates in each discipline is: 115 from Business Management, 39 from Computing and Information Technology, 245 from Engineering Technology, 78 from Health Sciences. During the ceremony, a documentary retracing a 20-year legacy of the academic institute and the transformation that led to the establishment of the first applied university in Qatar, was screened. The unique programmes at UDST are: Business Administration in Banking and Financial Technology, Data and Cyber Security, Respiratory Therapy, Medical Radiography, Digital Communication and Media Production, Engineering - Applied Electrical Power and Renewable Energy, Construction Engineering, Engineering - Applied Automation and System Control Engineering.    

A couple of Indian universities are at an advanced level of talks to set up branch campuses in Qatar, Indian ambassador, Dr Deepak Mittal said in reply to a question from Gulf Times. "BITS Pilani and Mahatma Gandhi (MG) University from Kerala are keen to set up their branch campuses in Qatar. They are at an advanced level of discussions with their partners in Qatar,” the Indian ambassador said. The ambassador also said several Indian schools have been operational in Qatar to cater to a strong Indian population of more than 750,000. With such a strong and growing Indian population in the country, Indian higher education institutes are showing great interest in setting up their branch campuses here, he observed. In recent years. several Indian universities have shown keen interest in opening their branch campus in Qatar. Savitribai Phule Pune University was the first Indian higher education institute to set up a campus in Qatar. The Indian envoy also noted that a joint working group on health between Qatar and India has been set up and its first meeting was held late last year. “The cultural ties between both the countries are very strong with the Qatar-India Year of Culture marked in 2019. This year, India is a partner country in Qatar’s Middle East, North Africa and South Asia Year of Culture 2022. Several activities were held and many more are being planned to mark the event,” the Indian ambassador added.

Indian vice president, M Venkaiah Naidu, along with a high-level delegation, has started a four day visit of Qatar as part of his three-nation tour that includes Senegal and Gabon. “This is the first time an Indian vice-president is visiting Qatar. He will be in Doha until June 7 and will have a series of engagements during his stay,” Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal said at a press briefing Saturday. “The vice-president is coming with a high-level delegation. He is accompanied by Indian Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar. Three members of the Indian parliament are also accompanying him. In addition, a strong business delegation from India is also part of his team,” the Indian envoy said. According to Dr Mittal, during the visit the vice-president will have several meetings with the Qatari leadership. “He will have audience with His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani at the Amiri Diwan. He will also meet other Qatari officials,” he explained. The Indian vice-president will also be attending a business forum with an Indian business delegation as well as a Qatari business delegation from Qatar Chamber. “We are expecting the Minister of Commerce and Industry, HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Qassim al-Abdulla al-Thani, to participate in the forum. A 30-member business delegation from Qatar is expected to join the forum,” the ambassador said. The vice-president is expected to visit Qatar Foundation and National Museum of Qatar tomorrow. “He will also meet HE the Speaker of the Shura Council as the vice-president is the chairman of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. He will also be meeting the Indian community tomorrow and will be addressing them. A cross-section of the Indian diaspora in Qatar with representatives from different walks of life will attend the community reception. He will depart from Qatar on June 7,” the ambassador added. The envoy said that India-Qatar relations are historical and a longstanding one with an Indian population of more than 750,000 in Qatar. “We have a strong LNG partnership and very strong trade relations between both the countries. Last year, the bilateral trade increased to over $15bn. During the visit, these topics will be the points of discussion and how to further deepen and strengthen the relations,” he added.

A ‘legacy to last for decades to come’, the new Hermès store at Place Vendôme, Lusail will be the melting pot of Hermès lovers not only from Qatar but from the entire region and beyond, noted, Florian Craen, executive vice-president, Sales & Distribution, Hermès. “It took us around 7 to 8 years to plan the new store. This address is to last for a long time in Qatar and be a tribute to Qatar for decades to come. That is the reason we wanted to have it at this location. We believe that Hermès Place Vendôme will be a special and unique store in the region and beyond. We want to make the store a destination that our customers will be proud of not only from Qatar but also from around the region and I expect people to fly into Doha to visit Hermès Place Vendôme,” said Crean. Craen was speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the opening of the Hermès store at Place Vendôme. With 306 stores in 45 countries, Hermès recorded an annual revenue of $6.4bn in 2020 and the French luxury house excels in about 16 métiers crafted from exceptional materials by expert artisans ranging from stunning leather goods to exquisite ready to wear and accessories, silk and textiles to perfumes, jewellery and watches among others. “This is one of the largest single floor stores in the world. Coincidentally, we have opened a few weeks apart our two largest single floor stores. The other one is at South Coast Plaza in Los Angeles,” noted Craen. The executive vice president said that Hermès offers an extraordinary wide range of products, which no store in the world can offer entirely. “Even the biggest of our stores offer only a fraction of the diversity on offer. The aim of this store is to offer much more than what we had before but it will still be a portion of the diversity that we curate every season,” he explained. “There are six Hermès stores in the Middle East. We don’t want to be everywhere. Instead, we want to have a few addresses but we want them to be comfortable, inviting, inspiring and convenient to our patrons,” he continued. The official said that there are no plans to have more stores in Qatar. He pointed out: “This will be the one and only presence in Qatar as the store at The Pearl is wound up in a long-term perspective. This was the plan when we opened the Hermès The Pearl store and as we realised the need for a bigger store we have relocated to Lusail,” he remarked. Craen said that Hermès Place Vendôme has probably one of the broadest and widest offers to see in a single store. “Our practice is that our store manager comes to Paris twice a year to discover the new collections and chooses what he needs for the clients of its store. Our store manager and his team have chosen additional collections for our customers in Qatar. So, the customers here will get to see products that they will not see in many stores because only five or six stores in the world display these items. Because of the size of the store and the nature of the business, it is much broader than most stores,” he stated. Craen stressed that Hermès wanted to pay tributes to the Qatari clients who are extraordinarily loyal to Hermès not only in Qatar but in many other key cities around the world. He described: “This store is aimed at nourishing the extraordinary relationships with our clients. We thought of having a comfortable experience for them in Qatar so they don’t need to run around the world for a Hermès destination as they meet Hermès at its best here in Qatar. We want to present this as one of our best stores to one of our best clientele.” According to the official, there would be frequent programmes at the store such as receptions, private viewings of collections, fashion shows, animations and more. “Our intention is to create a unique environment and this store is unique in many ways; the size, the furnishings, the artwork, the garden amongst others. We chose this space because of the day light coming into the store. We wanted to have both space and intimacy. Our intention is to have a humble look from the outside and a welcoming, contemporary and comfortable interior,” highlighted Craen. Wissam and Kamal Al-Mana have been collaborating with Hermès in Qatar and the region to run the stores for about two decades. “For us, every store is completely different and unique. From a single picture, I can recognise the store location without any address. This is something special about a Hermès store,” added Craen.    

French luxury design house Hermès has opened an exhibition titled Once upon a bag at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). Opened over the weekend, the exhibition is hosting the fourth chapter of the Hermès Heritage cycle of touring exhibitions, which explores the story of Hermès from its origins to the present day. With free admission, the exhibition will run until June 11. The timings are 9am to 7pm from Saturday to Thursday, and 1.30pm to 7pm on Friday. “The title of the exhibition says it all, and it is really the story of our bag making,” Florian Craen, executive vice-president of sales & distribution, Hermès, told Gulf Times. “Leather goods are one of our major products. We have evolved in the course of our history into what we know the best; leather making,” he said. “We started with bags in the early 20th century. This exhibition is about maybe hundred years of our history of leather making and bags.” The exhibition retraces the history of bags, which offer a veritable compendium of know-how and design, transcending eras and generations. This artisanal and creative adventure, part memory and part modernity, is presented with the assistance of Bruno Gaudichon, curator of La Piscine museum of art and industry in Roubaix, and scenographer Laurence Fontaine. With a narrative approach that juxtaposes the languages of time, the scenography draws parallels between 50 or so contemporary models and objects from the house’s Conservatoire of Creations and the Émile Hermès collection. The display begins with the history of the Haut à courroies bag, which appeared in the early 20th century. This artefact with equestrian roots bears witness to the house’s expansion into leather goods. Structured into themes, the exhibition continues with an area devoted to the different families of bags – the clutch, the ladies’ bag (Kelly, Constance, Simone Hermès, etc.), the men’s bag (Sac à dépêches, Cityback basketball backpack, etc.), the travel bag (Plume 24h, Herbag, etc.), and the sports bag, presenting the defining stages of their respective stories. Over the course of the last century, these objects went through great change, accompanying the changes taking place in society. From 1923, Hermès seized the spirit of the age and turned to designing more functional bags for women, like the “Sac pour l’auto”, its first model to incorporate a zip, which Émile Hermès brought back from the US and used for novel purposes. With the growth of travel, the house developed models that were ever lighter and more innovative. Still today, Hermès continues to invent bags with surprising forms and unique wearing styles, and create emblematic models that become part of its rich heritage. This blend of creativity, artisanal know-how and agility has demonstrated its capacity to adapt to a perpetually changing world and to men’s and women’s evolving requirements. This presentation of Hermès’ leather goods, which are an ideal playground for innovation, is accompanied by a rich array of iconography to illustrate changing lifestyles and uses. A room is dedicated to exquisite clasps cleverly engineered with a watchmaker’s precision (Verrou clutch, Mosaïque au 24 bag, etc.). This gives way to more whimsical models with the “Bags of Mischief” collection from the 1980s, designed by Jean-Louis Dumas, chairman of Hermès from 1978 to 2006, which translates fun and quirky designs into leather marquetry. The exhibition concludes with a dreamlike world. The realms of imagination and reality come together with models that evoke distant horizons, with fairy-tale pieces that illustrate exceptional know-how (Birkin Sellier Faubourg, Kelly plumes, and more).    

Leading hypermarket chain LuLu Group has launched the British Food Week at its outlets across the country. The festival, hosted by LuLu Group in association with the British embassy, was inaugurated by UK ambassador Jonathan Wilks at LuLu Hypermarket, Abu Sidra Mall. Present on the occasion were LuLu Group International director Dr Mohamed Althaf, senior British embassy officials, members of the Qatar British Business Forum, senior officials from LuLu Group, dignitaries from leading business groups in Qatar, and others. The festival, part of LuLu's year-round tradition of country-based festivals, showcases the best of Britain. Wilks, in his inaugural address, said: “We are looking forward to everybody coming to LuLu to join the British Food Festival as it is offering something for everybody.” He said the festival is offering a broad range of products, including gluten-free, lactose-free, low-sugar, no-added sugar and other healthy products. PICTURES: Thajudheen and supplied “We have been holding the British Food Festival for the last 10 years,” Dr Althaf said, adding: “This year the festival is special because it coincides with Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee and the visit of His Highness the Amir to the UK.” He said that the festival aims at showcasing a new range of British products, which are constantly increasing at LuLu outlets. “Customers associate British products with high quality and for being safe food products,” Dr Althaf said. “Our idea is to expand that range into more modern and innovative functional food items.” “The focus is to encourage people to eat healthy food items,” he added. The festival will run at all LuLu Hypermarkets across Qatar until June 3. Shoppers will be able to make the most of the finest British summer treats, from a range of juices and bottled cordials to a wide selection of British cheeses, organic milk, flavoursome yoghurts, chocolates, biscuits, tea brands and specialty breads. Many British products were specially flown in to fill the aisles of LuLu for this promotion. In the food section, there will be emphasis on fresh food, cheeses, breads, and fruits and vegetables. Shoppers can easily shop the essential ingredients and whip up a traditional British meal, such as the fish and chips or Sunday roast, by choosing from the classic British dishes offered in both the hot and cold food sections. Children from King’s College Doha added colour to the inaugural ceremony with live musical performances. The store was decorated with British flags and pictorial representations of iconic landmarks of Great Britain to create an ambiance of British architecture, culture and tradition. The state-of-the-art and award-winning logistics and warehousing facility of LuLu Group in Birmingham supports the entire hypermarket chain, offering shoppers the widest range of British products at the most affordable prices, a press statement noted. LuLu Group has a comprehensive network of export distribution centres in 22 countries, including major facilities recently opened in the US, Spain, and Italy.