The Inclusion and Special Needs Support Centre at Qatar University (QU) hosted an event in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani.
Themed “Yes I Can”, the event was organised in collaboration with the Department of Psychological Sciences at QU College of Education (CED) and in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs; Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and Hamad Medical Corporation.
It aimed to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
The event attracted over 300 attendees from institutions from the private and public sectors. Attendees included QU vice president for student affairs Dr Khalid al-Khanji, Qatari actor Ghanem al-Sulaiti, Qatari scientist Mohammed al-Jufairi, and Inclusion and Special Needs Support Centre consultant Dr Khalid Khader, as well as faculty, staff and students from QU.
The event saw the honouring of the first batch of 16 students who graduated from QU Inclusion and Special Needs Support Centre. They received gifts from the Ministry of Interior and trophies from QU.
The programme agenda featured the screening of a short video titled “I Can” produced by students from QU Inclusion and Special Needs Support Centre, a play performed by al-Sulaiti, and a music performance by students from QU Inclusion and Special Needs Support Centre and their peers. It also included national hymns by the centre’s students and a presentation by al-Jufairi in which he gave an overview on robots integrating natural language and gesture, as well as a play presented by the centre’s female students.
Dr al-Khanji said, “Persons with special needs are an essential part of the Qatari society. They play a pivotal role in the country’s growth and progress. This event highlights the achievements of the State of Qatar in supporting the persons with disabilities, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.”
