CNA-Q gets four Videographer Awards
The College of the North Atlantic - Qatar (CNA-Q) was recently awarded four Videographer Awards for two videos introducing students to the Desire2Learn (D2L) learning management system being used on campus.
D2L Student Overview received an Award of Excellence for informational videos, while Student Life Before and After D2L earned Awards of Excellence for cinematography and for overall educational institution production as well as an Award of Distinction for editing.
The Award of Excellence is awarded to those entries which were deemed exceptional, while the Award of Distinction is presented for projects that exceed industry standards.
The videos, produced in-house by members of the Advanced Learning and Technology (ALT) Centre, will be used to promote D2L awareness and will be shown on screens around campus as well as on the D2L login page.
“We are very pleased with these awards,” said Dr Glenn Loveless, chair of CNA-Q’s Centre for Teaching, Learning and Educational Innovation. “More and more of our courses are being taught using D2L components and these videos are a fun, and informative way to reach our students and show them the benefits of using the system.”
D2L allows instructors and students to use a variety of communication tools including e-mail, chat, surveys, blogs and ePortfolios as well as providing anytime/anywhere access to course materials.
‘Acceptable’ start to new academic year
Independent and private schools received thousands of students at the start of the new academic year on Sunday, with attendance varying from 50% to 80%, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported.
The attendance figures were described as “acceptable” for the first day of the new school year by some officials, the report states.
However, with the local education authorities warning against student absenteeism in schools, records would be maintained with effect from yesterday to deal with the issue in a more effective and stringent manner, according to the report.
The number of students being absent from classes at local independent schools was at an unacceptable level and reflected negatively on the outcome of the learning process, HE the Minister of Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi said recently.
Dr al-Hammadi, who is also the secretary-general of the Supreme Education Council, announced the decision to impose strict penalties on students who exceeded the permissible percentage of absence without a valid reason.
Rayyan removes abandoned cars
The committee responsible for the removal of abandoned cars has started work on the removal of some 1,200 such vehicles in Al Rayyan, local Arabic daily Al Sharq has reported.
The work is being done in co-operation with Al Rayyan Municipality and Lekhwiya, the report states.
Bakhit al-Marri, chief of Municipal Control at the municipality, pointed out that the committee surveyed different areas as part of the campaign. Warning stickers are pasted on cars found abandoned before they are eventually removed, the report adds.
Al-Marri, who has met members of the committee, said the survey results showed that there were more than 1,200 abandoned vehicles in the area.
Meanwhile, Mohamed al-Kubaisi, assistant director of the cleanliness project, said the committee started removal procedures in the Industrial Area and then proceeded to the municipalities of Al Khor, Al Shamal, Al Daayen, Al Wakrah and Doha before starting work in Al Rayyan, according to the report.
QU admits more than 2,230 Qatari students
More than 2,230 of the 3,200 students admitted to Qatar University (QU) this year are Qataris, local Arabic daily Al Sharq has reported.
On the selection of specialisations, the QU authorities have said the university attaches a lot of importance to giving every student the opportunity to select the desired specialisation based on his/her aspirations and academic capabilities.
The university requires minimum scores ranging from 70% to 80% for admission to different specialisations, including science, arts, engineering, law, economics, education and the College of Pharmacy,
the report said.
Ashghal launches projects in Al Ruwais
The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has started executing a number of projects in the Al Ruwais area of Al Shamal, local Arabic daily Al Sharq has reported.
The projects include construction of buildings that will house several government offices, a new general hospital, a new health centre, three new schools and two nurseries.
Further, Ashghal is continuing with the development of Al Shamal Road, which is part of the expressway programme.
This includes the construction of service roads along Al Shamal Road from the northern part of Doha (at Al Duhail Interchange) up to Al Shamal. The project also includes the construction of new intersections in the Izghawa and Umm Salal Mohamed areas, in addition to other enhancement works, the report said.
QRC sends equipment to Yemen medical units
Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has procured new equipment for a medical centre and health unit in Yemen.
The QR168,635 worth of equipment was funded by QRC, in co-operation with Yemeni Ethar Social Development Foundation, which conducted the purchasing and delivery to Al-Saqifa Medical Center and Al-Shoaba Health Unit in Hadhramaut
Governorate, Yemen.
QRC office aims to improve healthcare services to low income populations in the target area.
Saleh bin Ali al-Mohannadi, secretary general, QRC, said that the charity was keen on implementing many medical projects in Yemen.
He appreciated the strong relationship between QRC and its Yemeni counterpart, which culminated in a framework co-operation agreement signed by the two parties last April to serve as a legal basis for implementing QRC projects in different parts of Yemen.
The first outcome of the MoU was the opening of a QRC office inside Yemen Red Crescent headquarters to replace the QRC mission, which had been working there for several years.
QRC has several relief and medical projects in Yemen at a budget of $12mn, the latest of which was the relief intervention in Sanaa to provide food and non-food items at a cost of QR250,000.
This was an initial response to the emergency appeal issued by Yemen Red Crescent to save the lives of thousands of civilians affected by the escalated violence in northern parts of the country.
Also, there is the injured Yemeni treatment programme, a large-scale medical project being undertaken by QRC for more than two years now, which has so far funded the treatment of 1,200 cases.
Currently, QRC is constructing a dialysis centre in Al-Hawtah district of Lahij Governorate.
Lekhwiya
operating 50
patrol vehicles
The Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) is operating 50 patrols across Doha and in other places in view of the new academic year, local daily Al Sharq has reported, quoting a senior official.
Brigadier Ali Salman al-Muhannadi, a commander with Lekhwiya, said security and traffic authorities have intensified patrolling in view of the rush witnessed at the start of a new school year. Patrol units are being operated through co-ordination with Lekhwiya, the Traffic Department and Rescue Police (Al Fazaa).
Brig al-Muhannadi said the Lekhwiya patrols are working round the clock on different streets and near schools.
He also referred to a drop in traffic violations despite the increase in population, thanks to co-ordination and joint efforts by security and traffic authorities.
Parents are requested not to allow youngsters without licences to drive in order to save their lives and the lives of others, Brig al-Muhannadi was quoted as saying.
Number of
patients at health centres expected
to increase
The number of patients received by health centres for workers run by Qatar Red Crescent is expected to increase to 76,000 per month once the Mesaimeer HC opens, local daily Al Sharq has reported.
Work is under way to open the Mesaimeer health centre, which will have the capacity to treat 32,000 patients a month and include a Medical Commission for workers, in November, the report stated.
The health centre is being established as part of a plan to set up five more such health centres.
A source told the daily that the health centres were currently receiving around 44,000 patients every month.
Decisions to set up military, air colleges
QNA/Doha
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued yesterday Emiri decision No 64 of 2014 to establish and regulate Joaan bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College, which is managed by the General Command of the Armed Forces and supervised by the Minister of State for Defence Affairs.
The college is to have a legal personality and its budget is attached to that of the Ministry of Defence. And the minister will issue a decision to set the specifications and regulations of use of a flag and logo for the college.
The Emiri decision stipulates that the college will have a supreme council chaired by the Minister of State for Defence Affairs and has the Chief of Staff as vice chairman, along with assistants of the Chief of Staff, army commanders and college commander as members, in addition to a representative from the Supreme Education Council and a representative of the academic donor.
The Minister of State for Defence Affairs, based on a proposal by the college commander, can appoint any other member to the formation of the supreme council.
HH the Emir also issued Emiri decision No 65 of 2014 to establish and regulate Al Zaeem (Leader) Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Attiyah Air College, which will be managed by the General Command of the Armed Forces and supervised by the Minister of State for Defence Affairs.
The college is to have a legal personality and its budget is attached to that of the Ministry of Defence. And the minister will issue a decision to set the specifications and regulations of use of a flag and logo for the college.
The Emiri decision stipulates that the college will have a supreme council chaired by the Minister of State for Defence Affairs and has the Chief of Staff as vice chairman, along with assistants of the Chief of Staff, army commanders and college commander as members, in addition to a number of members who will be appointed via a decision by the General Commander of the Armed Forces based on the recommendation of the Minister of State for Defence Affairs.
The decisions are effective as of the date of their publication in the official gazette.
New study on treaties
QNA/Doha
As part of the series of its publications, the Diplomatic Institute issued a new study on treaties: legal and practical reading and stages of preparation and implementation in the State of Qatar.
The study is considered a guide for conclusion of treaties, particularly for those involved in international relations in various ministries of the state in general employees of the Foreign Ministry’s Headquarters and diplomatic missions in particular. It can be used as a reference to help in all matters related to the conclusion of international conventions and treaties.
Director of the Diplomatic Institute Dr Hassan bin Ibrahim al-Mohannadi said the study covered the major axes related to the conclusion of treaties in terms of the definition of the treaty, its main elements and validity terms, drafting and legal stages of conclusion and entry into force. The study also linked characteristically between the theoretical and practical aspect of a text while taking into account the international and national legal rules governing treaties.
The study focused prominently on Qatar’s constitutional and legal legislations related to procedures for drafting and executing treaties at the international and domestic levels.
In an introduction to the study, Dr al-Muhannadi explained that treaties played an undeniable role in developing the international law in various fields starting from issues of war and peace and ending with economic co-operation and technical assistance, thus assumed an outstanding status in regulating international relations. “They are also viewed as one of the genuine sources of the general international law and a main source of international covenants,” Dr al-Muhannadi said.
He added that understanding the issue of international conventions will not be realised for diplomats and others interested in this matter unless they are combined with the knowledge of three essential elements, namely: the international law relating to the conclusion of treaties in its both written and cognitive aspects, the relevant internal national legislations, then the practical practice of concluding treaties and bringing them into force at the international and domestic levels.”
Accordingly, the international community paid special attention over time to treaties, and that was embodied in the adoption of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969 with matters not governed by this Convention left subject to the rules of the Customary International Law.
The study, prepared by Dr Abdel Moneim al-Qadi, legal expert at the Foreign Ministry, came in four sections of which the first was a research defining of the treaty and its types, with the second covering stages of legal conclusion of the treaty and bringing it into force. The third dealt with the application of treaties and their interpretation with the fourth section covering Qatari legislations for the drafting of international treaties and bringing them into force.
Emir’s efforts to promote joint Arab action hailed
QNA/Doha
Secretary General of the Arab Interior Ministers Council Dr Mohamed bin Ali Kuman has commended the efforts of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to promote the joint Arab action in various fields.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ministerial Committee delegated to decide on the Statute and Regulations for the award of Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud on the Arab security, which was held yesterday in Doha, Dr Kuman expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani for hosting this meeting and the preparatory meeting in Qatar.
Dr Kuman said the meeting had approved the award statute and regulations. Kuman noted that HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior has allocated two seats in the Police College of Qatar for all Arab countries, through the Arab Interior Council General Secretariat.
He pointed out that the award focuses on several topics, including the promotion of the idea of community policing.
Qatar-Mexico cultural ties reviewed
HE Minister of Culture Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari met yesterday with a Mexican cultural delegation that is currently visiting Doha.
The delegation is chaired by Director of the Mexican Cultural Institute Alejandra De La Paz. The two sides exchanged views on how to bolster bilateral relations in the cultural field. They also reviewed facets of bilateral co-operation and agreed to work on signing a cultural agreement at the nearest possible opportunity.
The delegation praised the strength of bilateral relations in the cultural field and expressed its thanks to the Ministry of Culture and to the State of Qatar for hosting a number of events that helped strengthen ties between the Mexican and Qatari people.
Qatar help
sought for
Lebanese
soldiers’ release
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani received on Sunday a telephone call from Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam. During the phone conversation, they discussed the issue of the abducted Lebanese soldiers on the Lebanese-Syrian borders. The Lebanese Prime Minister wished that Qatar would continue efforts to help in releasing them. For his part, HE the Prime Minister said, in response to the request of the Lebanese government and in co-ordination with them in this regard and based on humanitarian grounds, Qatar will spare no effort in helping in the release of the abducted soldiers, despite the absence of contacts with the kidnappers.