Energy sector Qatarisation policy ‘focuses on quality’

HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada  chairing the 14th Annual Qatarisation Review Meeting of the Energy and Industry Sector yesterday.

QNA/Doha

HE Dr al-Sada, who chaired the 14th Annual Qatarisation Review Meeting of the Energy and Industry Sector, stressed that Qatarisation has never been simply about numbers but rather about capabilities, qualification, performance, competence, and productivity.

“Our objective is quality Qatarisation, a process which extends from education, to HR policies, training, and career development,” he said.

Professor Sheikha al-Misnad, Qatar University president, receiving the award from HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and HE the Minister of Administrative Development Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi.

Yesterday’s meeting highlighted the sector’s Qatarisation strategies and progress in support of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2011-2016, a press release said. 

Dr al-Sada said Qatarisation was going in the right direction. He said: “One cannot overlook the emphasis on the human element in all aspects of our country’s development. In fact, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, made it a point to re-emphasise the importance of that human element. In his first speech to the nation, His Highness stressed that development is ‘first and foremost the development of humans, who are our most valuable asset.’”

“The development of human capital has never been as important as it is in today’s competitive world. And if we are to build a knowledge-based economy, we must never lose sight of the human capital value chain, namely recruitment, assessment, training, career development, and retention,” Dr al-Sada said.

The Minister also called for the development of a capable Qatari workforce through proper education and relevant training. “I would like to reaffirm the need for a responsive educational system that matches its deliverables with the vocational and technical needs of the energy market,” he stressed.

 Dr al-Sada also called for investing in the education and training of young Qataris, and to keep this objective at the core of corporate social responsibility strategies. He also urged all companies to effectively integrate education in the sector’s initiatives. 

HE Dr al-Sada and HE al-Nuaimi with Qatarisation Crystal Award winner.

The meeting was attended by HE the Minister of Administrative Development Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, Professor Sheikha al-Misnad, President of Qatar University, senior executives from 41 participating companies and representatives from Qatar’s education community.

In support of the human development pillar of the Qatar National Vision, the theme of the meeting, “Engaging Qataris”, was enhanced by the presentation of Emmanuel Gobillot, who is one of Europe’s most sought-after leadership speakers. 

He discussed the strategies and ideas on how to engage employees that could improve company Qatarisation plans through sound, practical leadership techniques, which are essential in today’s social media environment and the transformations that are occurring.

His interventions focused on creating the capability in companies to deliver results through world-class leadership.

This part of the meeting was moderated by Abdulla Laram, Corporate Training Manager at Qatar Petroleum.

During the event, awards were also presented by HE Dr al-Sada and HE al-Nuaimi to recognise companies that exhibited Qatarisation excellence during 2013.

The recipients of the coveted Qatarisation Crystal Awards were Oryx GTL Limited for Support and Liaison with the Education Sector; Qatargas Operating Company Limited for Supporting Qatarisation; Dolphin Energy Limited for Support for Training and Development; Qatar Chemical Company Ltd. for Supporting Student Sponsorships; and RasGas Company Limited for Best Qatarisation Progress.

Annual Qatarisation Certificates were also presented to Qatar Aluminium Limited for Support and Liaison with the Education Sector; Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd (Nakilat) for Supporting Qatarisation; Bunduq Company Limited for Support for Training and Development; and Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd for Supporting Student Sponsorships.

HE Dr al-Sada and HE al-Nuaimi also honoured Qatar University with the annual “Partnership Award of Appreciation,” which was accepted by Professor Sheikha al-Misnad, President of Qatar University, in recognition of their active partnership with the sector by exchanging knowledge and expertise and providing a rich resource of Qatari candidates in support of company Qatarisation plans.

The Minister also bestowed special recognition to Dr Ibrahim Saleh al-Naimi, President of the Community College of Qatar, Dr Hassan R al-Derham, Vice-President for Research of Qatar University, and Hassan Mohamed al-Hammadi, Executive Director for Human Resources of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, for their contribution to the Qatarisation awards process as members of the Advisory Board responsible for winner selection.