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Alfardan Sports Motors, the official Ferrari importer in Qatar, has been recognised with the world’s “Top Showroom Award 2024”, a landmark achievement that celebrates a historic first for Qatar and marks the very first time a Ferrari showroom in the Middle East region has received this global distinction.The prestigious accolade is a testament to Alfardan Sports Motors’ ongoing efforts in delivering exceptional performance, including customer service, enhanced operations to meet global industry-leading standards and retail excellence.Located in the heart of the Pearl Island, Alfardan Sports Motors – Ferrari Qatar is a prime state-of-the-art showroom with a world-class service centre that has been serving Ferrari’s customers in the country since 1999.Throughout its 26-year-journey, it has delivered ownership experiences centred around a customer-first approach, helping build and elevate relationships while providing exceptional after-sales services.**media[394484]**Its showroom is part of an immersive environment that celebrates the Prancing Horse at every touchpoint.By creating luxury-driven experiences for customers, Alfardan Sports Motors consolidates its position as a trusted partner for automotive enthusiasts in the Qatari market, which continues to go from strength to strength and remains a key location in Ferrari’s global operations.“This recognition represents far more than an award; it is the realisation of a long-term vision rooted in the values of the Alfardan Corporation, building institutions defined by excellence, integrity, and enduring relationships,” said Alfardan Automotive president Omar Alfardan. “From the outset, our ambition was to establish a world-class Ferrari presence in Qatar, guided by a deep respect for the brand and a principled commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients.”“To see this vision recognised on a global stage, for the first time in Qatar and the Middle East, is both a moment of great pride and a responsibility we carry forward as we continue to elevate standards and shape the future of luxury automotive experiences in the State of Qatar,” he said.“It is a privilege to receive the world’s Best Showroom Award 2024,” said Alfardan Sports Motors general manager Tarek al-Hammoud. “This is a distinguished accolade that would not have been possible without the remarkable efforts of our passionate and highly-trained team at Alfardan Sports Motors, who have been instrumental in our successes.”“More importantly, we also express our sincere gratitude to the Alfardan family, as their long-standing support and investment have enhanced the Ferrari brand in Qatar, helping attract new and regular customers,” he said. “Their dedication has opened new opportunities for individuals to experience the best of Ferrari, which continues to be an iconic brand thanks to its unmatched performance, exquisite designs and heritage and legacy.”“Alfardan Sports Motors continues to raise the bar when it comes to luxury customer experiences, and this award is a milestone achievement that celebrates the team’s hard work and commitment,” said Ferrari Middle East managing director Giorgio Turri. “Alfardan Sports Motors has not only delivered outstanding sales during 2024 but its team consistently go above and beyond to carefully look after customers and create meaningful connections that differentiate Ferrari.” 

The Ministry of Municipality has secured five‑star accreditation from the EFQM Foundation, represented by the Urban Planning Sector.This groundbreaking milestone underscores the ministry's commitment to institutional excellence and performance quality based on the highest global standards.On this occasion, HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah said this achievement is the culmination of an enduring institutional pathway in excellence and quality, manifesting the ministry's keenness to advance institutional performance and the services provided to the public, in addition to enhancing partners' experience in meeting their aspirations.The minister underlined that he is glad to see the ministry being accorded this five‑star accreditation based on the new model, making it the first government entity to obtain this accreditation.The Urban Planning Sector has become a role model in institutional excellence across the nation, as this accreditation comes within the ministry's plan to expand the scope of excellence to encompass the remaining critical sectors, thereby contributing to upgrading municipal services, bolstering government work, and realizing the community's aspirations, Al Attiyah said.He stated that this accreditation is a first phase within a holistic strategy to promote institutional performance quality and the level of municipal services, stressing that this milestone is a product of diligent efforts in applying the best global practices in the areas of regional and urban planning.The Urban Planning Sector underwent a comprehensive external evaluation under the EFQM 2025 Excellence Model from the EFQM Foundation, encompassing strategy, execution, and results, and is regarded as one of the most professional global models for measuring institutional performance.For its part, EFQM lauded the ministry's efforts and the team of the Urban Planning Sector, emphasizing that what has been achieved is a role model at the regional level, demonstrating a true commitment to persistent optimization and effective governance.Overall, the EFQM Foundation is a leading international authority in the field of institutional excellence, and its model is used globally to support institutions in managing change and improving performance, having guided more than 50,000 organisations worldwide, thereby strengthening a culture of quality, innovation, and the achievement of sustainable value for all stakeholders.

His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), paid an inspection visit to the Athletics Training Center Project at Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence.The project, which is being implemented through an integrated partnership between Aspire Academy, the Qatar Athletics Federation and Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital – aims to develop Qatari athletics and elevate it to new levels.During the visit, Sheikh Joaan toured the project's administrative building and reviewed the ongoing work and coordination between the three entities in training, medical preparation, and administrative support. The collaboration is designed to enhance athletes’ performance and support their aspirations for a successful season.He also met with members of the national athletics team, reviewed their training programs, and encouraged them to give their best and prepare thoroughly for upcoming competitions. His Excellency reaffirmed the Qatar Olympic Committee’s commitment to providing the best development environment for athletes.Accompanying the QOC President on the visit were high jump legend Mutaz Barshim, Ivan Bravo, Director General of Aspire Academy; Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid al-Thani, Director of the QOC Sports Sector, Mohammed Issa al-Fadala, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation; as well as several members of the federation’s board of directors. 

University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) celebrated its outstanding students in a prestigious annual academic awards ceremony, honouring 50 students across eight majors.These majors included Academic Excellence Awards, Academic Merit, Academic Distinction, Foundation Program, Industrial Trades Dean Award, Achievement Award, Applied Research Award, and Innovation Award.UDST President Dr Salem bin Nasser al-Naemi affirmed that the celebration embodies the boundless potential that education can achieve and reflects UDST's shared belief that excellence is a way of life.Every award UDST presents today tells a story of determination, passion, and purpose-values that define its community. Its role as academics is to nurture these capabilities and guide students to become innovators and change‑makers, contributing to the nation's renaissance and progress on the global stage, Dr al-Naemi underlined.Noteworthy, all recipients of the Academic Excellence and Academic Merit awards received financial rewards, alongside an official certificate from UDST recognising this exceptional achievement in their academic records.Dr al-Naemi further indicated that the annual awards ceremony underlines UDST's commitment to fostering an environment that spurs academic excellence and innovation, making this yearly event a powerful source of inspiration and recognition for the extraordinary accomplishments in the community.He emphasized that the purpose of this annual celebration is to help build an academic, research-driven, and home-like environment that consistently supports students, promoting their excellence and distinction.Academic excellence is not the only criterion for recognition, there are other urgent and impactful standards based on evaluations and engagement in events at the college, university, and national level-standards that bolster UDST's educational ecosystem and prepare students holistically in both academic and research dimensions, he outlined.Dr al-Naemi highlighted that the honoured students have not only excelled at UDST or in Qatar but have also won prestigious international awards in academic and research arenas.He elucidated some of UDST's scientific programs in academics, health, and innovation, stressing that true innovation only arises through research, and that is how students are being trained to maintain the required balance in their lives and sustain their ongoing excellence.Through the UDST-championed innovation and research, students have founded seven commercial companies, aligning with the nation's developmental plans and its National Vision 2030, Dr al-Naemi elaborated.Dr al-Naemi further noted that earlier, UDST launched its innovative business incubator, "UHUB", to support the university community on its journey to transform exceptional ideas into tangible projects.

Renowned Arab architect Abdelwahed El-Wakil has been named the recipient of 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Tamayouz Excellence Award.El-Wakil was recognised during the Tamayouz Excellence Award Ceremony in Baghdad, held as part of the inaugural Arab Architecture Festival. The award celebrates his pioneering role in reviving traditional Islamic architecture, his extensive contributions to built projects and research, and his enduring influence as an educator and mentor.Born in Cairo in 1943, El-Wakil studied architecture at Ain Shams University, where he graduated with distinction in 1965. While initially influenced by modernist design, a formative mentorship under Hassan Fathy reoriented his vision towards traditional and vernacular methods. His career has since become synonymous with the revival of Islamic architectural heritage, integrating local craftsmanship and climate-responsive design with a timeless sense of dignity and purpose.Among his earliest celebrated works is the Halawa House in Agami, Egypt, which earned him the first Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1980. This milestone project, rooted in vernacular and climate-sensitive design, set the stage for a career defined by innovation grounded in tradition. During the 1970s and 1980s, El-Wakil became a leading authority on Islamic architecture, with his mosque designs in Jeddah and Madina reshaping the urban and cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia. Notable projects such as the King Saud Mosque demonstrated his mastery of brick construction, vaults, and domes, while reaffirming the enduring relevance of heritage building methods in modern contexts.His influence extended internationally, with landmark projects including The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in the United Kingdom, a work that reflects his capacity to blend cultural identity, spiritual purpose, and architectural excellence across diverse geographies.El-Wakil’s architectural contributions have been recognised worldwide. In addition to being the only recipient of two Aga Khan Awards, he was the recipient of the Richard H. Driehaus Prize for Classical Architecture in 2009 and the Arthur Ross Award for Excellence in the Classical Tradition in 2023. These accolades place him among the most influential architects of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.Ahmed Al-Mallak, Founding Director of Tamayouz, commented on the selection: “This year recognition of the distinguished Egyptian Architect Abdelwahed El-Wakil is in recognition of his achievements as an architect who contributed towards the advancement of architecture through his built work and extensive research, his outstanding contributions to important initiatives for the built environment, and as a respected educator and mentor for generations of younger architects.”The prize was given during the Tamayouz biennial ceremony, which was part of the Tamayouz-organised inaugural Arab Architecture Festival held in Baghdad under the Patronage of the Prime Minister of Iraq.The Tamayouz Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates architects whose careers have had a profound impact on the profession and the built environment. By recognising Abdelwahed El-Wakil in 2025, Tamayouz pays tribute to a visionary who has elevated architecture through his built work, research, and teaching, and who continues to inspire future generations around the world.The Lifetime Achievement Award was previously presented to Iraq’s renowned architects: Dr Mohamed Makiya (2014), Dr Rifat Chadirji (2015), Dr Kahtan Al-Madfai (2016), Hisham Munir (2017) and Maath Alousi (2018). In (2019), the award opened to architects from across the Near East and North Africa, and was presented to Palestinian-Jordanian architect Dr Rasem Badran, and in (2020) to Egyptian architect Dr Abdelhalim Ibrahim Abdelhalim.

Doha Film Festival will showcase a remarkable selection of acclaimed titles from across the world as part of its International Feature Film Competition, reflecting the festival's commitment to cinematic excellence and cultural diversity, bringing together powerful stories that resonate across borders. The competition brings together award-winning filmmakers whose impactful stories have inspired audiences around the world. Through their bold storytelling and artistic excellence, these creators continue to shape global cinema and spark meaningful cultural dialogue. Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and CEO of Doha Film Institute, said: "At Doha Film Festival, we honour the remarkable filmmakers whose films have touched hearts, challenged perspectives, and are reshaping the global cinema landscape through courageous narratives. The films in the International Feature Film Competition share a deep commitment to authentic storytelling and reflect our shared belief in the transformative power of film. We are proud to provide a platform in Doha where powerful voices can be heard and where audiences can engage with stories that inspire reflection, empathy, and connection." Taking place from Nov. 20–28, 2025, Doha Film Festival (DFF) represents the bold next chapter in Doha Film Institute's mission to nurture regional talent and champion urgent and authentic stories in cinema. The festival will transform iconic locations across Doha, including Katara Cultural Village, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the Museum of Islamic Art, into vibrant hubs of cultural exchange, bringing together filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences from every corner of the globe, to reaffirm art's power to inspire, to unite, and to spotlight voices that deepen our shared understanding.

The Ministry of Municipality has announced the launch of the pilot version of the Institutional Excellence and Knowledge Transfer System, based on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This is the first step of its kind in the region, coinciding with the launch of the evaluation process for the second edition of the Qatar Government Excellence Award.The new system was launched in collaboration between the Information Systems Department and the Planning, Quality, and Innovation Department. It represents a qualitative shift in the concept of institutional excellence, leveraging artificial intelligence tools to achieve superior performance and ensure the sustainability of institutional excellence through continuous improvement, accuracy, and speed of completion.The ministry explained in a statement that the system aims to enhance awareness of the concepts of excellence and innovation among leaders and decision-makers, and to spread a culture of institutional excellence within the ministry, keeping pace with the pace of digital transformation and modern institutional development trends. Excellence has become a strategic necessity dictated by global competition. The new system’s most prominent features include its role as a virtual assistant for standards leaders, rapid access to results and outputs, enhanced awareness and dissemination of a culture of institutional excellence, integrated connectivity between relevant standards and practices, the ability to extract evidence and information quickly and accurately, and the provision of an innovative, interactive environment to enhance employee engagement.The ministry emphasised that the system represents more than just a technical tool; it is a strategic partner in the institutional excellence journey and a driver of knowledge innovation. It noted that it was developed through extensive collaborative efforts and working sessions with partners from AI technology providers, establishing it as a pioneering model for digital transformation in the field of institutional excellence and innovative work.

The Ministry of Culture (MoC) has been awarded the European Certificate of Excellence (Two-Star Level) by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) following its successful completion of a comprehensive institutional assessment based on the latest EFQM 2025 Excellence Model.The MoC is the first ministry in Qatar – and the first cultural ministry in the Gulf region and the Middle East – to receive this recognition under the new EFQM 2025 model.This milestone, an official statement said Monday, reflects the ministry’s commitment to institutional excellence and reinforces its leadership in promoting a culture of quality and innovation within the public sector.The ministry attributed this achievement to its strategic response to the findings of its initial performance report, issued by the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau as part of the inaugural Qatar Government Excellence Award.That report, the statement said, served as a catalyst for the ministry’s institutional development strategy.The MoC expressed deep appreciation for the substantial support provided by the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau through training programmes and capacity-building initiatives, which it said played a pivotal role in enhancing institutional readiness and achieving this distinguished international recognition.This certification represents a strategic step forward in aligning institutional performance with global best practices.It also underscores the ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of cultural services in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, contributing to the development of a vibrant cultural sector that safeguards national identity and supports sustainable development.

Following the success of the 2025 Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Competition, Shell is proud to announce that it will once again host the event in Qatar in 2026, followed by the first-ever Shell Eco-marathon Global Championship in 2027.The 2025 edition, held at the Lusail International Circuit, marked the first time in the programme’s 40-year history that the event was hosted in the Middle East. The competition brought together over 60 student teams from 12 countries, showcasing cutting-edge innovations in energy-efficient vehicle design and reinforcing Qatar’s role as a regional hub for sustainability and STEM excellence.“Hosting the Shell Eco-marathon is more than a competition. It’s a platform for innovation, education, and global collaboration,” said Rob Maxwell – Managing Director and Chairperson of Shell Companies Qatar. “We are honoured to continue this journey in Qatar, where the spirit of ingenuity and sustainability thrives.”Both the 2026 and 2027 events will continue be held under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and in collaboration with the Qatar Auto Museum. This continued partnership reflects Qatar’s deep commitment to empowering youth, advancing sustainable mobility, and supporting the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. “At Qatar Museums, we are committed to nurturing creativity and innovation, especially among the next generation,” said Mohammed Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Museums. “The Qatar Auto Museum Vehicle Design Award, first launched at the 2025 Shell Eco-marathon, embodies this mission by celebrating sustainable design and providing young people in Qatar with a platform to become future innovators and leaders. Through our collaboration with Shell, we are inspiring youth to think boldly about mobility, sustainability, and design excellence. This initiative also forms part of Evolution Nation, our 18-months long campaign of Qatar’s cultural journey, where creativity and innovation serve as powerful drivers of progress and a vision for the future.”The 2027 Shell Eco-marathon Global Championship will bring together top-performing teams from across the world, competing in multidisciplinary challenges that test not only engineering prowess but also creativity, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. Shell Eco-marathon continues to inspire the next generation of energy leaders by challenging students to design, build, and drive the most energy-efficient vehicles possible. With Qatar as host, the programme enters a new era of global impact and regional pride.

Huawei Qatar hosted the 'Innovation in Education and Talent Excellence Awards', an event dedicated to honouring the accomplishments of students from Qatar in the global ICT Competition and presenting the latest advancements in educational technology.The event brought together prominent figures from Qatar's academic and government sectors, including Dr Salem al-Naemi, president of the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST); Dr Btool Hashim al-Sayed, director of The Higher Education Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education; partners, deans and faculty members from Qatar University (QU), UDST, Community college of Qatar (CCQ), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and Lusail University.In his welcome address, Alex Dai, executive vice-president of Huawei Gulf North, said: “At Huawei, we believe investing in human potential is the nation's most strategic investment. We are proud to partner with Qatar to nurture its next generation of digital leaders, equipping them with cutting-edge skills and platforms to innovate—like the brilliant UDST students who recently made the nation proud. Together, we are building the ICT talent that will lead Qatar’s digital future."Dr al-Sayed stressed the importance of such collaborations by describing that the student accomplishments embody the very essence of Qatar National Vision 2030, which places innovation and knowledge at the heart of sustainable development."This success was made possible through strong collaboration between our academic institutions, government, and industry partners—a model that fosters the innovation ecosystem Qatar is building. Our leadership encourages applying knowledge in real-world contexts, transforming ideas into solutions that drive progress and diversify our economy for a prosperous future."Dr Rachid Benlamri, vice president - academics of UDST, highlighted the value of industry-academia synergy. "Events such as the Huawei ICT skills Competition-Innovation track provide our students with a global platform to showcase their talents while demonstrating the powerful results of academia-industry collaboration in building Qatar's knowledge-based economy."Huawei's experts led sessions on the latest emerging trends shaping the future of education. The presentations highlighted Huawei's advanced education technologies and innovative approaches to creating next-generation learning environments, emphasising the critical role of robust digital infrastructure in enabling transformative educational experiences. The discussions focused on building technology-enabled learning ecosystems that support innovation and enhance educational outcomes.The ceremony also recognised students from Qatar who excelled in the National and Regional competition and celebrated the outstanding achievements of UDST students’ team who has secured second place in the Innovation Track of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024–2025 Global Final, held in Shenzhen, China in May 2025. Competing against over 40 teams from around the world, the UDST team represented Qatar on the global stage, making the nation proud through their groundbreaking project titled 'Be My Sense'.The Huawei ICT Competition is one of the world’s largest and most competitive technology contests, celebrating its 10th edition this year. The 2024–2025 event attracted more than 210,000 students from over 80 countries, culminating in a highly selective Global Final where 179 teams from 48 countries competed in various tracks including Network, Cloud, Computing, and Innovation.Additional highlights featured insights on the synergy between academia and industry. Prof Mohamed Abdallah, associate dean of Undergraduate Studies and Quality Assurance at the College of Science and Engineering at HBKU, underscored that while basic science forms the essential 'brain' of education—providing the critical thinking and foundational knowledge—integrating industry-certified courses on the latest technologies is crucial for ensuring graduates are career-ready.Academic leaders from QU and CCQ emphasised on the importance of modernising curricula through strategic partnerships to include applied learning modules that keep pace with the digital economy.This was complemented by a presentation from AI department at Al Jazeera Media Network, which detailed their recent AI Hackathon, delivered in collaboration with Huawei Cloud. The media leader highlighted the hackathon's immense success not just as a competition, but as a vital talent pipeline and a practical model for innovation.