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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.

LuLu Group is showcasing about 400 new British products across Qatar as the British Food Week celebration started at all its outlets in the country, said a top official of LuLu Group. “We have almost 400 new British products on display,” said LuLu Group International director Dr Mohamed Althaf. “This year, we have brought back organic dairy products as well, as organic cheese products that were not in the Qatari market for some time. They are back on our shelves.” “We have also brought in Welsh lamb, several fruits and vegetables, among others,” he said. Dr Althaf was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the opening of the British Food Week at LuLu Hypermarket, Abu Sidra Mall. “We have been holding the British Food Week for almost 10 years. This year, it coincides with the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It also coincides with the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the UK, where several agreements and mutual partnerships were announced,” he said. The official noted that LuLu Group is expanding its product range and introducing new products here. “People equate LuLu with high quality and safe food products, and our aim is to enhance their expectations further with a more modern, innovative range of products,” Dr Althaf said. “The emphasis here is to encourage people to eat healthy.” “The UK was the first government to bring legislation to regulate high-fat, high-sodium and high-sugar content food products,” he continued. “We want to continue on those lines and introduce products that will help people eat good food and stay healthy.” According to Dr Althaf, the UK has introduced several eco-friendly initiatives and LuLu has also moved along those lines. “The ties of citizens and residents here in Qatar with Britain and British food are historic,” he said. “British food is also very diverse, and there is always scope for a lot of diversity in British food.” “In line with our commitment to reduce the use of plastic, our stores have switched to compostable packaging made from sugarcane,” the official added. Dr Althaf, who attended the World Economic Forum in Davos recently, said that this year has been a very special one for him. “I have been attending the World Economic Forum for over 10 years, and this year was very special on account of the visit of the His Highness the Amir,” he explained. “There was a lot of excitement and interest among the participants to listen to his speech,” Dr Althaf continued. “His Highness the Amir spoke at the plenary session, and through the speech, he delivered the message of Qatar’s vision and the efforts at achieving sustainable development. It was very well received by the participants.” “His Highness the Amir also briefed the audience on the upcoming FIFA World Cup and Qatar’s efforts to make it a big success,” he added. “I also had the privilege of attending a private reception on the sidelines of the forum, where His Highness the Amir came and interacted with many dignitaries.” The official said that LuLu is expanding its activities in the UK, which started modestly eight years ago in Birmingham and is currently growing and thriving. “We are focusing more on nutrition, reducing food wastage as well as low-calorie, low-sugar food items. This is good for the people. Our food is healthy for the planet too,” he added.

Qataris travelling to the UK will be exempt from the visa requirement from next year, the British ambassador said Saturday. “During the recent UK visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the UK government announced that the visa requirement for Qataris to travel to the UK will be lifted from next year,” said Jonathan Wilks. Wilks was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the opening of the British Food Week at LuLu Hypermarket, Abu Sidra Mall. “From next year, there will be a new travel system across the whole world, which is an electronic travel authorisation. Qataris travelling to the UK will not need a visa to enter the UK,” the British ambassador explained. According to the British envoy, the visit of His Highness the Amir to the UK was a very successful one. “I was with His Highness the Amir during the visit. His Highness met several high-profile dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister and other ministers. During the visit, we signed a number of agreements for developing economic, security and people-to-people relations,” he continued. “At the meetings, Qatar agreed to invest next to £10bn in the UK while Britain will support the security and defence efforts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. These are among the big announcements. This is a good, positive atmosphere for increasing trade between both the countries in all sectors,” he added. Regarding the British Food Week at LuLu outlets, the envoy said it was the biggest launch with the biggest range of products of British food items. “We look forward to everyone visiting LuLu outlets during the British Food Week as there is something for everybody. It is not only the broad range of products, but also a new range of gluten-free, lactose-free, low-sugar and no added sugar items. It provides healthy products and new brands in the market. There will be a lot of familiar products but there will also be a lot of new products. This is something to encourage people to come to LuLu to buy their favourite brands and try out something new,” he pointed out. The envoy said interest in the British Food Week and British products is growing year after year. “There is a lot of interest in British products and we observe people’s growing participation in the British Food Week year after year. With increased demand, LuLu brings in more products to the market. With the World Cup around the corner and with a large number of visitors expected in the country, LuLu is positioning itself to provide a friendly environment with healthy products,” he added.

Maadhavi Bhhatia, who flies in from the UAE to Doha regularly to attend Executive MBA (EMBA) with HEC Paris in Qatar, says that executive education can future proof careers. Bhhatia, vice president governance, Group Compliance Division the UAE’s First Abu Dhabi Bank, the largest bank in the Emirates, is also the holder of a bachelor’s degree of Business Administration in International Banking and began her Executive MBA studies with HEC Paris in Qatar recently. Abu Dhabi-based Indian national Bhhatia feels that executive learning is now essential for preparing business leaders for post pandemic personal and professional challenges. “Today, professionals from all disciplines seek to attain extensive knowledge, whether a training certification, diploma or on programs such as the Executive MBA I am pursuing with HEC Paris in Qatar. This executive education can enhance personal leadership attributes, and foster skills in understanding various aspects of business and the implementation of that learning. The skills I learn from my EMBA programme professors will hopefully enable me to be ready for the jobs of the future within the banking sector,” Bbhatia, said. Bhhatia is of the view that given current global uncertainties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is becoming imperative for leaders to acquire niche skills. “Rapid globalisation and technological disruptions are playing an essential part in the creation of new jobs that require advanced managerial and technical skills. Today’s leaders should attain the right skills to lead a business unit - this is a need of the hour,” she explained. “The HEC programme has been ranked #1 as per the FT Ranking 2021. I also know that more CEOs of Fortune Global 500 companies have graduated from HEC Paris than any other university in Europe. I took this as an opportunity to connect with HEC Paris’s diverse and global alumni network along to enhance my personal skills,” highlighted, Bbhatia. She also said that Qatar’s proximity to Abu Dhabi was a consideration for choosing the campus here. “However, after researching all the personal and professional factors and my ambitions, it only made sense to pursue my studies at HEC Paris in Qatar,” she stated. “I have several goals. I want to gain global insights on business, to expand my ability to be a ‘Leader with Purpose,’ and to be a role model for other professionals by promoting a ‘Learn Everyday’ message,” she continued. She stressed : “I believe that by attending an EMBA Programme with a strong and recognised university I will elevate my career progression and expand my horizons within my existing scope of work. The soft leadership skills I acquire will enable me to be a better leader within my present organisation so my employer certainly indirectly benefits.” “I greatly look forward to networking with past alumni and draw inspiration from their growth stories to write my own progress. I also would like to inspire future leaders by sharing my success with them. Professionally, I can connect with members in the international financial industry to gain practical knowledge from their past experiences,” added, Bhhatia.    

The research projects being carried out at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), part of Qatar Foundation (QF), are not only relevant to Qatar and the region but are addressing several international challenges, a top official said. “We virtually cover every area of research,” HBKU vice-president of research Dr Richard O’Kennedy told Gulf Times. “Global issues such as climate change and water purification, among other topics, are being researched with intensity at the HBKU.” “We are very strong in sustainability and the environment research areas,” he said. “We have very strong research in health, particularly in precision health and precision medicine.” “We have also a lot of work in the engineering areas, public policy and law. The whole campus is involved in several research areas. All the students are focusing on different areas of research, which means that they can actually translate the learning into practical projects,” Dr O’Kennedy added. According the official, the research at the university has focused on every aspect. “The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic showed the practical application of research as many students got involved in looking at new diagnostics for detecting Covid-19,” he explained. “We have some very nice work going on in relation with autism and detecting it at the early stage with eye tracking method.” “The students are trying to understand how they can take their ideas and do things that can impact the good of the community in Qatar and globally,” Dr O’Kennedy continued. “Qatar Foundation and the HBKU have a number of themes that call for progressive education, social progress, sustainability, artificial intelligence and precision health and many more. “Across all these areas, there is a great deal of research ongoing and many of them address national issues and global challenges.” He said that there are several research activities going on at the HBKU addressing climate change such as effective recycling methods, and how to manage waste materials and reuse them efficiently. “Water utilisation is a big factor in Qatar, he pointed out. “Desalination has been used for a long time to purify water, and much of that has been labour-intensive as well as energy-intensive.” “The programme that we are doing can use membranes to purify water which has a more sustainable and cheaper process and produces extremely good quality water,” the official said. “The HBKU is very clear that the university wants the students to do research on the needs of the community, the region and the world over.” “This is the focus of the research programmes of the university, and we are coming out with several publications at leading international journals which have highlighted the impact of the research,” he added.    

Qatar is making rapid advancements in precision medicine with several researches and pilot studies taking place in various fields, noted a researcher and faculty member of the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), part of Qatar Foundation. “Based on results from our research, three pharmacogenomics pilot studies were initiated by the Qatar Genome Programme in collaboration with the Hamad Medical Corporation. One such study is looking at the clinical utility of genetic testing of patients for appropriate dosage calculation of a widely used blood thinning agent, warfarin,” revealed, Dr Puthen Veettil Jithesh, associate professor, College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), HBKU in an interview with Gulf Times. “Once the clinical utility is established, it is possible to use genetic testing in patients before warfarin is administered, and dosage may be calculated based on the genetic variants in the patient, in combination with other factors such as age, gender, height, weight, and other medications taken at the same time. Once such a testing is done, the result may be stored in the electronic health records system in the hospital, and this will facilitate the retrieval of the result any time the patient needs a prescription,” explained the academic. Dr Jithesh said precision medicine can be implemented at different levels and some may be started with a little effort, while some others require further extensive research and development of appropriate technologies. “In fact, we have already analysed several genes affecting close to 50 medications for the Qatar Genome Programme study participants, and if these results are stored in the electronic health records of these individuals, these may be accessed at any time. Such pre-emptive implementation of pharmacogenomics is the easiest way to start precision medicine-based treatment,” he explained. Dr Jithesh said the CHLS offers both Masters and PhD programmes in Genomic and Precision Medicine. “One of its kind in the whole Middle East region and even beyond, this pioneering programme prepares the next generation of scientists and leaders in the field of precision medicine. There is some coursework to provide the students with a solid background in the concepts and technologies, often taught using a ‘problem-based learning’ approach,” he noted. Dr Jithesh said the major focus is on developing students’ ability to do independent research in this upcoming field, both providing a basic understanding of the disease mechanisms as well as translational research that directly benefits the patients. According to the researcher, despite the college being in its infancy, the talented faculty and the motivated students have conducted excellent research that has led to high impact publications and potential tangible outcomes, such as paving the way for implementing precision medicine. “Dr Kholoud Bastaki, the first Qatari graduate from the programme, identified the distribution of genetic variants affecting response to antidepressants and antipsychotics in the Qatari population, and is currently working on understanding the potential of implementing genetic testing of patients with mental health conditions before prescribing these medications at the Hamad Medical Corporation,” he said. Dr Jithesh feels that another big advantage in the advancement of precision medicine in the country is the biobanking facility that has provided a competitive edge to Qatar when it comes to human subjects’ research. “The Qatar BioBank has certainly played a pivotal role in the realisation of the Qatar Genome Programme by recruiting adult Qataris for collecting multiple types of samples and numerous important phenotypic information among other clinical and biochemical parametres. It also holds several other cohorts including a mother and child cohort and a Covid-19 patient sample and data collection. These are indeed valuable resources for research and development. Seamless access to these resources by interested researchers in Qatar will certainly lead to placing Qatar in the forefront of countries implementing precision medicine, not only in the region, but also across the globe,” he added.

Several of the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) graduates have shared their experiences and ambitions with Gulf Times as the university celebrated the graduation of Class of 2022 on Monday. Sabika Shaban, a graduate from the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) noted that it was her best decision to join HBKU for higher studies. An employee of HBKU and working as the academic journals and publication specialist and a parent, Shaban had to balance her professional and personal life to continue her studies as she joined CIS for Masters in Islamic Global Affairs. “It was the best decision in my life as it is a fantastic programme that compliments very much with what I do outside of my work,” she said. “Personally, I do advocacy in the area of disabilities. I have a platform named Qatar Disability Resources. The acronym for the platform ‘ Qdr’ in Arabic stands for what God has designed for you. The purpose of my platform is to empower the stakeholders in the community to fulfill their purpose and realise their dreams. We address information scarcity, provide information resources to parent educators, therapists and researchers among others,” she said. The graduate said that the programme was so excellent and versatile. She explained: “We could shape the programme to suit our area of study. In our cohort we had diverse areas of interests. We had people exploring gender issues, legal issues among others. I explored disability issues in Qatar. I could shape my programme to focus on my research in my areas of interest. We apply all sorts of innovative thinking models, modules, design thinking among others.” Shaban said she plans to continue her studies and do her PhD. “The programme allows me to still continue to tap into all the networks. It helps me to continue to do the research and advocacy. I am a big believer in advocacy research and I am planning to pursue my PhD in the field in the next couple of years,” she added. Abdul Kawiyu Aswad Sualihu, a graduate from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, from Ghana (West Africa), learnt about HBKU and its programmes through the Internet. “I happened to know about HBKU through the Internet and learned more about the programmes through the web search and social media. I could find a topic of my interest and I applied for the programme. Though I was rejected first time, I persisted with my interest in studying in the college and was finally admitted,” he explained. Sualihu graduated in Digital Humanity and Societies and plans to continue his PhD in the same area as he feels that the topic has a lot of research content and application. According to him, HBKU can be defined in three aspects. “Richness and diversity, high level of inclusiveness and endless support from the faculty are three key hallmarks of the university. My journey has been very exciting and has transcended all my expectations. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. We could share our experiences and explain various concepts and subject matters,” he noted. He said that his studies focused on relations between humans and societies in the digital era and digital technologies. Social media and its role in the modern times, cyber bullying as well as cyber abuse, digital media promoting political polarisation among others were among the topics that were part of my studies,” he remarked. Samar Elkhalifa, a PhD graduate in sustainable energy from the College of Science and Engineering had done a project on reusing food waste in a creative way. “It took me five years - slightly longer than expected due to the pandemic of Covid-19 - to complete my research. My project was on studying food waste and how to convert them into useful products. We came up with something that can be used for agriculture,” said Elkhalifa from Sudan, who was born and brought up in Qatar. She said that the programme provided a lot of opportunities for her to travel and learn. “We have had a lot of opportunities to travel to conferences as well as interact with several people at workshops and we were encouraged to do so. We travelled to many countries outside Qatar and participated in several events in Qatar. We were always provided with support and encouragement by the college and the faculty and we could always voice our concerns,” she described. Elkhalifa is currently looking at some career opportunities where she can make use of her knowledge and skills in sustainable energy. “ I am looking at a career where I can meet my ambitions as well as to focus on some of the global energy issues. I am looking at something in the areas of energy research and engineering. I have my options open because that is what I learned from my programme as well as from HBKU. Sustainability is a futuristic kind of topic and through sustainability concepts we are finding new solutions for problems. It can be renewable energy, environment, water treatment, construction related work among others,” she concluded.    

Brands at the Fifty One East pavilion saw a huge response from visitors at the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, which concluded Saturday. These include Rolex, CHANEL and Boucheron, which attracted a large number of visitors while the booths of several other brands at the pavilion also saw a big turnout of jewellery and watch enthusiasts. Yvan Tufenkjian jewellery. PICTURES: Thajudheen Akillis, luxury French jewellery maker, was one of the exhibitors at the pavilion that showcased some of its latest and exquisite collections. Some of its major collections are Animal Tattoo, Capture In Motion, Capture Light, Capture Me News and Tattoo. Akillis is reinventing an instinctive French jewellery with Capture In Motion, a new collection of moving rings for men and women. Akillis completes its jewellery tattoo art line with Animal Tattoo, a collection of 21 exclusives pendants inspired by terrestrial and marine wildlife depicted in ultragraphic lines, “rocking the traditional codes of bestiary creations". << Akillis jewellery The Black & White versions in white gold undergo black DLC treatment - a cutting-edge technique known for its applications in luxury watchmaking and aeronautics. Another prominent brand at the Fifty One East pavilion was Falamank by Tarfa Itani, which showcased some of its latest and prestigious collections at the event. Founded in 2006 by Lebanese designer Tarfa Itani, Falamank by Tarfa Itani matches its rich oriental heritage with traditional craftsmanship to produce unique and handmade pieces of fine contemporary jewellery. Based in Beirut, this jewellery design house produces collections and bespoke pieces that are worn by women throughout the world. From its Beirut main showroom, and through an exclusive network of selected stockists, Falamank by Tarfa Itani presents original designs of sculptural and fine jewellery – today’s contemporary collectibles. Yvan Tufenkjian is another popular Lebenese brand that presented some of its elegant collections at the exhibition. Some of the models on display were the Ivy Collection, Oditi Collection and Stellar Collection. Driven by creative pursuit of excellence, Yvan Tufenkjian draws inspiration from the power of jewellery and the significant place it holds in people’s lives – the jewellery that matters, the jewellery we cherish and the jewellery we covet as markers of milestones, keepsakes of ardors and memories, enhancers of beauty and sources of legacy. Through this passion and commitment to a meaningful and radiating craft, Yvan Tufenkjian has carved out a formidable foothold in the world of fine jewellery. By intertwining cultural heritage and modern luxury, wearable works of art are designed as embodiments of the brand’s philosophy: delight and inspire the world’s elegant rebels. Other major brands present at the pavilion were TUDOR, Piero Milano, Azza Fahmy, David Yurman, Ginette NY, leBebé; Marina B, Pandora and WOLF, among others.

Qatar’s much anticipated, leisure and tourism hotspot, Al Maha Island will open prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, disclosed a top official of Investment Holding Group (IHG). The world-class project is led by the association of Investment Holding Group and IMG, in collaboration with Qatari Diar and Qatar Tourism “Al Maha Island will be opened to the public and tourists prior to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Located in Lusail City, the Island will be offering some of the best entertainment facilities available internationally,” Henrik H Christiansen, Group CEO of IHG, told Gulf Times. The island includes major attraction hubs in various industries including luxury dining experiences and world-class leisure and entertainment. Doha Winter Wonderland, High End District with six of the best internationally acclaimed restaurants, a beach club and a concert area for live music and entertainment are some of the features of the Al Maha Island. Christiansen explained: “Al Maha Island is set to become a hotspot of Qatar tourism - attracting over 1.5 million visitors per year. Al Maha Island sits on 230,000sqm. It includes a concert area as well as the place for restaurants and other food joints and parking slots. Doha Winter Wonderland will be the main attraction along with Nammos the famous the beach club of Mykonos and Dubai and the high-end district restaurants.” According to the Group CEO, Al Maha Island demonstrates the huge potential of Qatar’s tourism sector and is a manifestation of how IHG is adapting to the fast growth in hospitality and internal and external tourism in the country. “The brands that are coming at the Island are internationally refined and top-notch known brands, including London’s award-winning ZUMA, LPM restaurant and bar, the famous French restaurant, Em Sherif, the luxurious Levant restaurant, Billionaire, the famous bar and lounge offers luxury dining paired with nightlife, Dokya - a Turkish taverna that serves a variety of Turkish delicacies and mezze,” remarked, Christiansen. “These major brands have shown great enthusiasm in opening in Qatar. They see the country as a trending destination. In this regard, IHG is ramping up efforts to deliver and expand its tourism portfolio, and develop infrastructure and facilities to cater to this vision,” he continued. The CEO pointed out that another attraction at the Island will be the concert area. “We are planning for some big names in the industry to perform at the Island. The programme of the music festival will be announced in August. The 7,000 spectator capacity concert area will host Global Music Festival, 34 live events annually and is set to attract big names from international and regional superstars to world renowned DJs, singers and comedians,” he highlighted. “The music will be a mix of international as well as regional flavours. This will provide the right ambiance and will adequately cater to the tastes of the audience of the region. It will be an added attraction for the visitors from the region,” stated, Christiansen. He also said that Doha Winter Wonderland will be an affordable facility for all the sections of the population. “The rides and other facilities will be very much affordable for the families. The Island will cater to the tastes of every segment of the population. Except for some of the high-end restaurants, food and other item will be made available at affordable prices for the entire visitors,” described, Christiansen According to the official, the Island will set a strategy to develop a far larger approach to create a stable and diversified market post 2022. “IHG is working on several current and upcoming projects in Qatar. Al Maha Island will be the destination for entertainment in Qatar, with Doha Winter Wonderland, 10 national and international restaurants, a world-famous beach club and a concert area for live music and entertainment. Another exciting project is Katara Hills, a VVIP hospitality area with 20 exclusive units, all with own pool and view of the surrounding green areas of the hills. The project also has a high-end restaurant. The Palace Hotel & Spa LXR is another exciting project which is being built and managed under the IHG banner,” he added.    

Debuting at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition ( DJWE) 2022, and stationed at the Fifty One East pavilion, Piero Milano is showcasing some of its exquisites collections for the audience in Doha and beyond. Founded by Piero Milano, the Italian jewellery maker is synonymous for luxury and excellence for their original collections of fine jewellery. “We are getting very good response from the visitors. We used to participate at all the leading exhibitions around the world from Las Vegas to Geneva to Hong Kong and Doha is a great destination for us. We are happy to partner with Fifty One East for this exhibition and it is a great opportunity for us to expand our reach in the region,” Andrea Milano, the owner of the brand told Gulf Times. Milano noted that the brand is presenting its latest collections at the exhibition and they are all well-crafted and elegantly designed. He explained: “We have some of our latest collections such as Capri, Eden, Goa and Eos among others. We have several more collections and we have brought many of them here. The Goa collection is gold inspired with a touch of diamonds. The bracelet is very flexible and titanium is used inside for the springs.” According to Milano, Eden is a classic collection while Capri is the latest collection, which is based on precious stones and only natural stones are used for the entire jewellery. “We have a special bracelet with diamonds and sapphire. We always use titanium spring inside and it is a very special item. It is all flexible and all the pieces are independent,” he said. “There is a wide price range starting from QR5,000 to QR40,000 for all our collections. The visitors really appreciate these collections and we have received huge response from the very first day of the exhibition. We are happy to partner with a market leader such as Fifty One East,” added, Milano.    

Boucheron is showcasing some of its elegant and charming collections, including several making their Middle Eastern premiere, at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition which concludes on Saturday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. Located at the Fifty One East's pavilion, Boucheron collections include some of its stunning high jewellery, such as Histoire de Style, Carte Blanche and Contemplation collections among others. For Histoire de Style, launched every January, creative director, Claire Choisne takes inspiration from the archives; with Carte Blanche collections, Claire lets her creativity flow from within, the themes stemming from her own imagination. The Goutte de Perles necklace from the Paris vu de 26 collection is inspired by the Tuileries Gardens that surround Place Vendome. Its rock crystal centrepiece is carved to encapsulate the gardens, showcasing the immense savoir-faire of Boucheron’s craftsmen. The Goutte de Ciel bracelet from the Contemplation collection underlines Boucheron’s incredible innovation. It features aerogel – a rare material used by Nasa that Claire used to recreate “a piece of the sky”, enclosed in a shell of rock crystal set with diamonds. Also from the dreamy Contemplation collection is the Papillon necklace. Papillon, meaning butterfly, symbolises softness and femininity, and is brought to life in this piece in rock crystal and diamonds, beautifully balanced. Another highlight piece is the Histoire de Style Art Déco Ganse Émeraudes bangle, a striking piece crafted from gold, rock crystal, diamonds and emeralds, that draws on an archival piece created in 1925 and pays homage to the Art Deco era. Comprising sixty-seven pieces, Contemplation represents the most personal and intimate collection of high jewellery ever created by Claire Choisne. The codes of Boucheron are interpreted with an extremely sensorial approach: pieces seem to quiver with the slightest breath on the skin, fragments of stars are caught in airy matter, a cloud of diamonds swirls on a weightless necklace. The first jeweller to open on Place Vendome invites to reconnect with the senses in order to appreciate what is most precious: the present moment. With Goutte de Silence, Boucheron reinvents its iconic Serpent Boheme in the form of a necklace in white gold, mother-of-pearl and diamonds, which can be worn in three different ways: as a sautoir, a double-strand necklace or a short necklace. Boucheron’s tradition of versatility is taken to new heights with the graceful pair of earrings, which offers six separate looks, and may be accompanied by a ring. These incredible high jewellery creations amongst others were specially selected to present to discerning Qatari clientele with a great appreciation for jewellery, and are showcased in Boucheron’s home at the event. Located in a prime location alongside partners, Fifty One East, the Boucheron booth is crafted in a unique Parisian style, designed to reference the historical Boucheron Hôtel Particulier on Place Vendôme in Paris, the stylish Boucheron’s birthplace and home. Its interior integrates the codes of Boucheron’s latest design concept, displaying the most incredible jewellery creations in a contemporary, warm and welcoming space.    

The luxury Swiss watchmaker Rolex is presenting some of its iconic timepieces at the ongoing Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) 2022. Showcased are classic and new collections of various models that appeal to watch enthusiasts. Located at the Fifty One East Pavilion, Rolex is an all-time favourite of watch lovers as well as collectors. The Rolex booth epitomises the iconic brand with its stellar collections. Rolex recently unveiled its 2022 Oyster Perpetual Air King, Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 at the Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022. Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31. (supplied picture) The Rolex booth at DJWE is hugely popular among watch connoisseurs at the exhibition. The new-generation Oyster Perpetual Air-King features a completely redesigned case with a crown guard and straight sides like the majority of professional category models. The proportions of the Oyster bracelet have also been revisited, and notably the centre link has been broadened. In a first for the model, it is equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp. The watch’s display has also been refreshed and is perfectly balanced thanks to the addition of a ‘0’ before the ‘5’ on the minutes scale. Oyster Perpetual Air-King. (supplied picture) A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 40mm Oyster case of the new-generation Oyster Perpetual Air King is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100m and its middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel, a particularly corrosion-resistant alloy. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an antireflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch’s movement. Another set of eternal time pieces at Rolex booth In addition, the new-generation Air-King benefits from an optimised Chromalight display, guaranteeing maximum legibility in dark conditions. The new-generation Air-King is equipped with caliber 3230, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the hours, minutes and seconds. Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Air-King carries the Superlative Chronometre certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist. Another 2022 Rolex collection is the elegant Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 which is available in three new versions with striking floral-motif dials. Calling to mind wild summer meadows, the design comprises 24 flowers that stand out distinctly from one another thanks to their finishes – either sunray, matt or grained. Each of the flowers is lit from within by a diamond set into the centre. On the second watch, crafted from 18 carat yellow gold, it is in olive green, and on the third – an Everose Rolesor version, combining Oystersteel and Everose gold – it is in silver. On the second and third watches the bezel is set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds, and they are equipped with a President bracelet and a Jubilee bracelet respectively. The new versions of the Datejust 31 are equipped with caliber 2236, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling them to display the hours, minutes, seconds and date. The Rolex booth also boasts of its other time tested and exotic collections and offers the best of the legendary brand.

CHANEL, with its latest and exotic collections, is a major stopover for watches, jewellery and perfume lovers and collectors at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2022 taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. Located at the Fifty One East Pavilion, CHANEL displays some of its latest collections such as the new J12 Caliber 33mm, J12 Diamond Tourbillon Calibre 5, J12 Caliber 12.2 33mm, Mademoiselle J12 La Pausa among others. In addition, the CHANEL booth also boasts of some of the iconic collections of the brand. There are also a wide variety of elegant jewellery collections at the booth. In 2022, CHANEL marks a new milestone in the history of the J12 watch, presenting the first J12 33mm equipped with a self-winding caliber, a true technical tour de force and an encapsulation of the House’s watchmaking savoir-faire. Designed in Paris by Arnaud Chastaingt, director of the CHANEL Watchmaking Creation Studio, then developed and assembled at the CHANEL Manufacture at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, the J12 33mm is equipped with an unprecedented self-winding movement: the Caliber 12.2. Produced by the Swiss Manufacture Kenissi, the Caliber 12.2 is a miniaturised motorisation in which each component has been adjusted to ensure a unique performance. Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, the Caliber 12.2 is decorated and endowed with an oscillating mass in the form of a perfect circle, the signature of CHANEL Watchmaking. It is chronometer-certified by the COSC, the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute, and has a power reserve of 50 hours. The J12 33mm Caliber 12.2 is available in black or white highly resistant ceramic. CHANEL also presents the new J12 Diamond Tourbillon Caliber 5, a technical prowess and aesthetic achievement and an expression of CHANEL’s watchmaking savoir-faire. The Caliber 5 is the first Flying Tourbillon movement made in-house. Equally beautiful from both front and back, the exposed mechanism with its sophisticated finish is adorned with a lion’s head, the signature of CHANEL Haute Horlogerie Manufacture movements. The J12 Tourbillon Diamond is available in matte black ceramic and steel or in glossy black ceramic and 18-carat white gold, each limited to 55 pieces. Mademoiselle Chanel and the J12 watch has met again this year in three exceptional creations, each limited to 55 pieces. Mademoiselle J12 La Pausa welcomes the silhouette of Mademoiselle dressed in a Breton top and sailor pants, inspired by a photograph taken in her garden at La Pausa. For the first time, the Mademoiselle J12 is equipped with the Caliber 12.1, in an exclusive all-black version. Mademoiselle J12 XS clings mischievously to the watch case and Mademoiselle Chanel’s silhouette appears in the form of a figurine entwined in white gold and black lacquer, topped off with a two-tone straw hat accentuated with a brilliant-cut diamond. J12 Gabrielle Caliber 3.1 watch pays homage to the iconic silhouette of Gabrielle Chanel placed on the dial, dressed in black and wearing her beloved pearls. A true keeper of time, Mademoiselle Chanel strikes a pose in a painting within a precious frame composed of a white gold bezel set with baguette-cut diamonds.