IN BRIEF

British Council sites offer learning tools

The bilingual websites and applications promote skills development, using a combination of user-friendly approaches and best-in-class technology. Teachers and students can access Arabic and English materials - designed with local communities in mind - to equip themselves with a higher level of competency in English.

“Our suite of learning tools has been developed with children, teenagers, adult learners, parents and English language teachers in mind. A wide variety of interactive material has been developed using easy navigation and creative approaches, all geared towards raising the competency levels of those who wish to read, write and speak English fluently,” said Caroline Cameron, British Council’s English projects manager in Qatar.

“The high-quality, free resource websites and applications authored by British Council promote grammar and vocabulary development through various types of activities. Videos, games, podcasts, exercises and lesson plans are just a few of the features our suite carries.”

The downloadable worksheets and content provide an ideal resource for teachers who are constantly on the lookout for imaginative lesson plans. The registration feature enables students to create their own accounts online and track their progress throughout the learning process.

In order to benefit from the opportunity, British Council has urged the local community to explore the following websites: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/ar/ and http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/ (teenagers and adult learners); http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/ar/ and http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/ (children); http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/ar/parents and http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/parents (parents); and  http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/ (teachers - available in English only).

Mobile applications can be accessed through iTunes or the Android Play Store by searching for “British Council Qatar”. They can also be accessed at http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/ar/apps and http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/apps

Registrations open for ‘home study’ courses

Registration is open for independent schools at the three stages (primary, preparatory and secondary) in some designated schools according to the location of the student. 

The process of registration will start from next Sunday until Thursday at the headquarters of the designated schools from 8am to noon daily.

Registration at schools is classified according to gender, and nationality (Qataris, sons of Qatari women, GCC citizens and other nationalities).

Applicants should submit a copy of their passports, Qatari ID, two photos, their latest certificate and a Kahramaa statement to determine their neighbourhood.

QIB banking services in the evening

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has announced that 10 of its branches will open their doors to provide banking services in the evening and on Saturday morning during Ramadan.

The Al Fanar, Salwa Road, Airport Road, Al Gharafa, Al Rayyan, Al Sadd, Al Wakrah, Al Kharaitiyat and Muaither brances will operate from 9pm to 11pm (Sunday to Wednesday) and 9am to 12pm (Saturday).

In addition, QIB’s City Center branch will be open from Saturday to Thursday in two shifts - 10.30am to 2.30pm and 9pm to 11pm. On Friday, it will be open from 9pm to 11pm.

The remaining QIB branches will function as per the official working hours of 9am to 2pm, Saturday to Thursday.

The evening shift will help customers complete their banking needs easily and efficiently while QIB e-channels are available 24/7 through internet banking, QIB mobile, phone banking and over 170 ATMs spread across the country.

CGC in Nokia Ramadan promo

Consolidated Gulf Company (CGC), Nokia’s Qatar associate, is offering Lulu Hypermarkets’ shopping vouchers worth up to QR200 on the purchase of Nokia Lumia smartphones as part of Ramadan celebrations. 

CGC chief operating officer Anil Mahajan said, “We are delighted to once again partner with LuLu to bring an attractive value proposition to our esteemed customers. Besides offering the latest Nokia Lumia smart devices, customers have choice to use Lulu vouchers for their any purchase in the Lulu outlets. Moreover, there is no limit on the number of purchases and the redemption period is also long enough to cover entire festival season.  

All popular Nokia Lumia smartphones are on offer with Lulu vouchers, including Lumia 920 with QR200 gift voucher at QR1999, Lumia 820 with QR150 voucher at QR1299, Lumia 720 at QR199 with QR100 voucher, Lumia 620 with QR100 voucher at QR879, while QR50 gift voucher is given with each purchase of Lumia 520 only at QR649.

This offer is available until July 31 at all CGC and selected dealer outlets across Qatar. Customers can redeem the shopping vouchers for any purchase at any Lulu outlets until August 31.

Timings for MoI depts

The working hours of some of the MoI departments will be as follows.

General Directorate of Border Passports and Expatriate Affairs (Immigration Department), Nationality and Travel Documents Department, Traffic Department  will work in two shifts-

Morning: 9am-2pm, Evening:   8 pm-1am.

Criminal Evidence and Information Department - Headquarters: 9am-2pm

Fingerprint Section at Industrial Area (for companies) :  9am - 6pm

Fingerprint section at external Services Centers two shifts: Morning:9am-2pm  Evening: 8pm-1am.

Q-Post main office and branches to work in two shifts

The main office and the branch offices of the Q-Post will work in two shifts during the holy month of Ramadan, according to sources at the postal corporation.

While most of the branch offices and the head post office will function between 9am and 2pm and later between 9 and 11.30pm, the Mumtaz Post office at the Teyseer complex near Airport intersection will work between 9.30am and 1.30pm and between 9.30 and 11.30pm,

However, some of the branches would have slight changes in the working hours, said a Q-Post spokesperson.