Qatar Airways has announced its support of the Qatar Friendship Fund (QFF) through its sponsorship of the Elem Project, an experience-based educational programme, run by Junior Achievement Japan, Iwaki municipality and Sendai municipality. |
The Elem Project facilities, Student City and Finance Park, are designed to give students in Japan the opportunity to experience life lessons and gain skills that will be crucial to them in the future.
QFF was a gift in 2012 from HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, when he was the Emir, to the people of Japan from the State of Qatar to support the relief efforts following the 2011 earthquake in Eastern Japan. QFF currently operates under the auspices of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Established in 2012, the QFF continues to support the strong friendship between Japan and Qatar as it focuses on the strategic priorities of child education, fisheries, healthcare and entrepreneurship. Through funding and support from Qatar, local organisations in Japan are able to develop projects related to reconstruction in education, healthcare and fisheries in afflicted areas.
The QFF is under the direct leadership of HE the Foreign Minister Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, and is chaired by Yousef Bilal, Qatar’s Ambassador to Japan, with the support of the advisory committee established in Japan.
Qatar Airways is supporting the Elem Project through the installation of two educational booths in Iwaki and Sendai respectively.
Student City and Finance Park, which have been established in support of QFF, are designed as mock towns with various ‘businesses’ inside the facilities. Students will have the opportunity to visit the various establishments and role-play as adults while learning life lessons and developing useful skills related to day-to-day tasks such as banking, budgeting, travel and shopping.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker said: “Qatar Airways is very happy to be able to support the on-going efforts of the Qatar Friendship Fund. It is our belief that development of programmes, which educate children on useful life skills, will benefit them immensely, not just in the future, but even now in their day-to-day lives. We are strong believers in education and are proud to be associated with such a worthwhile project.”
Qatar Airways is set to have one booth each in Finance Park in Iwaki and Sendai respectively. The Iwaki facility opened at the end of May, followed by commencement of the Sendai facility in August.
Finance Park will focus on 8th grade students, and will require them to take on the role of the budget controller within a family. Students will be tasked with making ‘purchases’ at the shop-like booths all while keeping in mind their household budgets and family living conditions.