The Department of Architecture and Urban Planning (DAUP) at Qatar University’s (QU) College of Engineering (CENG) has observed its 10th Architecture Day. The Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), a leading architectural and engineering consulting firm in Qatar, sponsored the second edition of the Architecture Excellence Award which was given out during the event.
The opening ceremony was attended by QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham, vice president for Academic Affairs Dr Omar al-Ansari, Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano, South Korean ambassador Kim Chang-mo, Unesco Regional Office in Doha director Dr Anna Paolini, QU CENG dean Prof Abdelmagid Hammuda, associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies Dr Abbes Amira and distinguished guests from industry and academia, QU faculty members, staff and students.
The event provided DAUP students with the opportunity to present and showcase their architectural projects designed under the supervision of DAUP faculty and in collaboration with governmental institutions, industry partners and architectural practices.
The projects covered various areas such as hospitality, touristic villages, housing, mosques, cultural centres and healthcare and sports facilities.
The highlight of this year’s Architectural Day was the second edition of the Architecture Excellence Award sponsored by AEB.
The first award went to Maryam Bader al-Kuwari, the second to Fatima Abdulrab al-Yafei and the third to Nancy Nabil Makhoul.
The Unesco Regional Office and the Italian embassy supported the event with a 3D Archeomed Exhibition, an interactive archaeological-architectural exhibition using cutting-edge VR/AR technology.
Commenting on the event, Prof Hammuda stressed on the strong relations with industry, which was represented in the display of student projects.
He said: “Students projects reflect CENG commitment to show the innovation and quality of teaching, which comes in line with national pillars, in order to graduate the engineers and architects who can achieve Qatar National Vision 2030.”
AEB CEO and chief architect Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah said: “At AEB, we consider Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a commitment of now for a better tomorrow. Building on our existing relationship with Qatar University, we introduced the AEB Architecture Excellence Award, which aims to recognise and reward young and talented architects. The award recognises exceptional architectural innovation of young architects in Qatar and celebrates graduates whose thinking and design approach pushes conventional boundaries.
“In addition, we continue to partner with Qatar University offering internship placements and training to students. As a practising architect, I am tremendously proud to say that some of our trainees have attained leading professional positions in the market.”
DAUP head Dr Fodil Fadli said: “The architectural exhibition, the academics-practitioners debate and related student activities provides a wide range of architectural and urban design projects. This reflects professional and community needs and aspirations in enhancing our cities and buildings.”

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