Qatar University to hone trade ministry employees’ skills

By Ayman AdlyStaff Reporter

Dr Kurduman addressing attendants at the signing ceremony yesterday

Selected employees of the Ministry of Business and Trade (MBT) are to be trained at Qatar University (QU) to enhance their potential and professional performance.The Ministry of Business and Trade, represented by Hamyan Mansur al-Khatir, director, HR department, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect with the QU Continuing Education Office, represented by Dr Taj-Alsser Ibrahim Kurduman, yesterday.“The MoU comes as part of Qatar National Vision 2030, which has become a tangible option and has been reflected in many aspects of the 2011- 2016 development plan. It focuses on the investment on human capital and the economy of knowledge,” Dr Kurduman said.He added that the agreement focuses on designing interactive programmes that cater for the actual demands of different segments of the society. Surveys have been conducted to determine the required training needs that adopt an interactive learning approach, which is demand relevant rather than supplier oriented, explained Kurduman regarding the new initiative.He indicated that this process is continuous and responds to actual labour market needs. Further, trainer supervisors would have a chance to meet and discuss their progress and related issues at a special forum.In the meantime, trainees would have the opportunity to assess trainers and the training process in a reciprocal professional manner as the MBT trainees are normally professional employees and not just ordinary students. “Training groups would be small not exceeding 10-15 trainees. The topics of training would normally include subjects of interest for MBT including the English language, accounting, and IT skills. To ensure the quality and transparency of the process, a third party would evaluate the achievements independently,” Dr Kurduman added.QU and MBT have also agreed to conduct a field study and survey to determine the real needs of the ministry for training and qualification programmes. Accordingly QU would tailor the adequate courses targeted mainly at the employees’ professional profile.Al-Khatir said MBT is keen to give its staff an opportunity to enhance their qualifications at a prestigious establishment like Qatar University. “We are all proud of being graduates of QU. Actually most of our prominent leaders are graduates of QU. HE the Minister of Business and Trade is very interested in this partnership,” Al-Khatir stressed.She said employees in the most required specialties would be given priority in selection to be included in the programme. There will also be theoretical and practical induction tests to determine the level of potential trainees and place them accordingly.