(From left) Saad al- Marrikhi, director of National Manpower Development department at the Ministry of Labour, Hassan al-Hammadi, executive director, Human Resources at Qatar Foundation, Abdullah al-Mansoori, executive director, QCF, Ahmed al-Mawlawi, director of Administration at Qatar Petroleum and Dr Omar al- Ansari, vice-president of Students Affairs in Qatar University at the press conference yesterday. PICTURE: Shameer Rasheed
Joseph Varghese/Staff ReporterThe sixth edition of Qatar Career Fair (QCF), under the patronage of the HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- Thani and organised by Qatar Foundation, Qatar Petroleum, Amiri Diwan, Qatar University and the Ministry of Labour, will take place from April 1 to 6 at the Qatar National Convention Centre. This was announced by Abdullah al-Mansoori, executive director, QCF, during a press conference at the Club House of Qatar Foundation yesterday.Hassan al-Hammadi, executive director, Human Resources at Qatar Foundation, Ahmed al-Mawlawi, director of Administration at Qatar Petroleum, Dr Omar al-Ansari, vice-president of Students Affairs in Qatar University and Mohamed Saad al-Marrikhi, director of National Manpower Development department at the Ministry of Labour, were also present during the press conference. During the briefing, Mansoori said that the outcomes of QCF 2012 will be disclosed on March 31. Speaking at the press conference Mansoori said that QCF has introduced e-registration through its website to streamline registration processes. He explained: “This will give us the full details of the exhibitors and well in advance. Moreover, this year, only the exhibitors who disclosed their results of their participation last year would be allowed to register.” Mansoori stated that around 147 exhibitors had already registered for the event. “Around 30 more companies are expected to join the fair which makes QCF 2013 the biggest so far,” he added.Mansoori further stated that the main goal of QCF was not just employment. He said: “It aims to create an atmosphere of awareness to develop professional skills and capacity among students and graduates through proper planning for their future careers as well as the choice of specialisation and profession that best suit their qualifications and abilities. The Fair provides an ideal platform and environment for various employers, educational institutions and community to meet with students and graduates seeking career opportunities, to guide them professionally, and familiarise them with opportunities and choices available in the labour market in the country.” Al-Mawlawi of Qatar petroleum said that QP had employed 686 Qatari graduates and high schools students since QCF 2013. He also stated that a large number of Qatari students have been sponsored by QP for studying abroad. Omar al-Ansari from Qatar University said that it was a great opportunity for the graduates of the university to explore the market needs. “QCF offers vast opportunities for the students to opt for the right type of programs according to the market needs and choose the right employment opportunities.The graduate can also opt for the right post graduate programmes that suit their passion and talent,once they realise the market needs,” he added.Saad al-Marrikhi from the Ministry of Labour observed that it was the right platform to train students from various universities to work with the labour market. He also said that the ministry had sponsored 180 students to study at various universities abroad. There will be a series of important lectures that will take place in conjunction with QCF 2013 in February and May. These lectures will focus on the future of Qatari youth in key growth sectors of the nation’s economy including energy, sports, and arts. In addition, the lectures will be held on the dynamics of careers in the public sector versus private sector, as well as entrepreneurship versus paid employment. The first lecture series will be held at Texas A&M University in Education City to discuss the role of Qatari youth in the future of energy.The exhibitors of the fair include Qatar’s leading influencers, corporations and academia from all major economic sectors. They will play a pivotal role in providing young Qataris, especially students and fresh graduates, professional guidance and advice on career opportunities and alternatives available to Qataris. Exhibitors can register at ttp://www.qatarcareerfair.com.qa/forms/2013/ExhibReg.html to take part in the exhibition.