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Katara Cultural Village has honoured the top three winners of the inaugural Katara Prize for Manuscripts and Archaeological Sites 2024 at a ceremony attended by scholars and cultural figures.The first prize was awarded to Syrian researcher Walid al-Suraqbi, while Egyptian researchers Ahmed Abdelbaset and Ahmed Abdelsattar shared second place. The third prize went to Noha Hussein al-Hefnawi, also from Egypt. The event also recognised members of the award’s judging panel — Dr Omar al-Ajli, Dr Mohammed al-Rahawi and Dr Samir Qaddouri — as well as Abdullah Mohammed Bilal, head of Mauritania’s manuscript house association, for his efforts in preserving Arab manuscript heritage.Speaking at the ceremony, Prof Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Katara’s General Manager, said the award reflects Katara’s commitment to reviving Arab and Islamic manuscript heritage as an essential part of cultural identity and intellectual history. He added that the initiative complements Katara’s other major literary awards, including those for the novel, Arabic poetry, and the Prophet’s Poet.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), in cooperation with Qatar Youth Hostels and the Friends of the Environment Center (FEC) affiliated with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, organised a series of training workshops at the headquarters of the FEC. This initiative comes as part of the preparations for the annual Youth Support Camp programme, aiming to enhance environmental awareness among young people and introduce them to the scientific and technical principles of breeding and conserving the Houbara bustard, one of Qatar’s important environmental symbols. The workshops included three main training sessions, covering various topics such as: the basic scientific and technical principles of breeding Houbara bustard in captivity; the importance of preserving biodiversity in nature reserves; sustainable environmental care methods; and the role of youth in protecting wildlife. Mohamed bin Nahar al-Nuaimi, director of the External Reserves Office at the MoECC, affirmed that organising these workshops comes within the efforts to promote environmental awareness and spread a culture of sustainability among young people. “Introducing the new generation to the fundamental principles of breeding and conserving the Houbara bustard represents an important step in instilling the concept of environmental responsibility and highlighting national efforts to protect wildlife and preserve biodiversity,” he explained. Al-Nuaimi pointed out that through these training programmes, the ministry seeks to enable young men and women to gain knowledge of modern scientific methods for bird breeding and environmental preservation, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which places sustainable development at the heart of its goals. He added that the External Reserves Office will continue organising specialised training and awareness programmes and events to enhance community participation in environmental protection and to instill the values of conserving natural resources among all segments of society, especially youth.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Department of Land Protection in cooperation with the Environmental Security Unit of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), has carried out a surprise inspection campaign in various sites in the northern region of the country. During the campaign, an unlicensed bird-hunting shelter that had been set up in violation of applicable environmental regulations was detected and removed. This action is part of the ministry’s measures to address any practices that harm the environment or distort the public landscape. The campaign is part of a series of periodic field inspections conducted by the ministry to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, as well as to preserve vegetation cover and biodiversity across different regions of the country, supporting Qatar’s environmental sustainability goals.

Scale Now, which enables Qatari founded technology companies to become global competitors, has secured deals valued at $12.9mn, positioning Qatar as a regional hub for digital innovation, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).Of the $12.9mn in deals secured, as much as $7.2mn was in B2B (business-to-business) and $5.7mn in direct investments, said a MCIT presentation made recently after roping in four more partners – Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Invest Qatar, QDB (Qatar Development Bank) and Qatar Research Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council - for the programme."Scale Now is more than a programme; it is a coordinated national platform turning digital innovation into tangible economic impact," MCIT said.About $7.2mn in B2B (business to business) transactions; the presentation said it demonstrated strong market validation and confidence in Qatar’s scale-up ecosystem.The Cycle 1 had secured $5.7mn in direct investments through a mix of private funding, grants, and investor partnerships.The participating entities from Cycle 1 reported sustained growth, validating the effectiveness of the programme’s capability-building and market access model, it said, highlighting more than 50% average revenue growth and one successful international market expansion in Cycle 1.The Cycle 1 brought together six market-ready companies delivering solutions from digital payments and marketplaces to airport operations and immersive media.It saw Mzad Qatar, providing a multi-category marketplace with a digital auction platform that connects buyers and sellers; SkipCash, enabling businesses to implement secure online payment solutions through a streamlined digital platform; and EMMA Systems, delivering airport software that improves operational efficiency and data management.The Cycle 1 also saw ADGS, offering behavioural biometrics and predictive maintenance powered by proprietary AI models; SPONIX, providing immersive video solutions and virtual advertising that enable engaging real-time content during live events; and ClassTap, offering flexible access to more than 3,000 fitness studios and classes through a subscription platform.Scale Now contributes directly to Qatar's Digital Agenda 2030's national employment target by equipping founders and creating high-value digital roles across tech sectors, aiming more than 26,000 ICT (information, communication and technology) jobs by 2030."Through its collaborative model, Scale Now is enabling Qatari-founded technology companies to become global competitors, strengthening the nation’s economic resilience, export potential, and job creation capacity," it said.By providing tailored mentorship, strategic partnerships, investment readiness and facilitating access to pilot opportunities, the programme helps high-potential companies transform proven traction into sustainable growth. It strengthens Qatar’s digital economy, aligns with the Digital Agenda 2030 and positions the country as a global hub for innovation and expansion."We will refer high-potential companies from Startup Qatar to future Scale Now cohorts, support access to funding and grants, and help shape a connected, resilient ecosystem where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive," Invest Qatar had said.Invest Qatar serves as the gateway for foreign investors and entrepreneurs, guiding them through each stage of their business journey — from exploration to expansion — by providing comprehensive insights, market knowledge and facilitating connections with key government and private sector stakeholders.

Under the auspices of HE the Minister of Interior, Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), and Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Police Academy Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the 14th Conference of Heads of Arab Security Training and Rehabilitation Institutions kicked off in Doha Wednesday. Hosted by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Police Academy, the two-day conference is drawing broad participation from representatives of the ministries of interior in the Arab countries, alongside representatives of relevant regional and global organisations and institutions. These organisations are UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South‑West Asia and the Arab Region, Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI), International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS), Arab Interior Ministers’ Council-General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. The opening ceremony was attended by HE Legal Adviser to HE the Minister of Interior and General Supervisor of the Police Academy Major General Dr Abdullah Yousef al-Mal, Secretary-General of the Arab Interior Ministers Council Dr Mohammad Ali Kuman, and President of the Police Academy and Chairman of the conference Brig. Gen. Abdul Rahman Majid al-Sulaiti. Addressing the conference, Dr al-Mal said the Police Academy is proud of hosting this event with the participation of a distinguished group of leaders and experts from across the Arab world, alongside partners from specialized international organiSations, convened to exchange expertise and bolster collaboration in training and capacity-building, a fundamental pillar of security and stability. The contemporary security challenges have become more intricate and interlinked, making persistent outstanding training indispensable for capacity-building and helping security personnel keep up with developments and confront risks by proactively leveraging state-of-the-art techniques, Dr al-Mal said. Under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar has given foremost priority to the advancement of education and security training systems, in its belief that enduring security begins from the highly qualified human, he underlined. For his part, Ali Kuman affirmed that the conference convenes in Doha Thursday as part of the tremendous interest Qatar gives to the rehabilitation of Arab security apparatuses to be further capable of fully discharging their duties. He heaped praise on the initiative proffered by the Ministry of Interior in Qatar to allocate two annual scholarships at the Police Academy in the name of the late Arab security luminary HRH Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for students from member states. This move is a gesture that embodies fidelity to the legacy of the architect of Arab security cooperation and reflects an unflagging commitment to providing member states with access to the academy’s elevated level of training and professional excellence, Ali Kuman underlined. Ali Kuman further added that hosting this conference by the academy, along with the field visit to its premises, would be an invaluable opportunity to have a glimpse of this premium level, as long as the academy abounds with outstanding scientific programs. The constructive discussions of the agenda would yield consequential outcomes that strengthen Arab cooperation in the areas of security training and rehabilitation, in support of building the capabilities of Arab security apparatuses to deal with a variety of criminal threats, he highlighted. On the first day, the conference explored a flurry of critical subjects on the agenda, including advancing the technological skills of police and security personnel to combat cybercrimes, a benchmark model plan for preventive security training and qualification, alongside a benchmark model plan for security training and qualification in crisis and emergency management. The Police Academy presented a primer on the Virtual Security Operations Center (vSOC), in implementation of the recommendation issued by the Board of Trustees of the Prince Nayef Arab Security Award to present the award-winning pioneering security programs at the relevant meetings convened under the auspices of the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. The Police Academy's vSOC in Qatar was awarded first place in the category of pioneering security programs for 2024. The vSOC performs a critical role in conducting virtual security exercises based on advanced simulation systems that mimic realistic and complex security scenarios. It also innovates unconventional remediation solutions, in addition to developing the mechanisms of operationalizing the joint operations chambers among different stakeholders to foster security integration and elevates the readiness of the national response system.

Qatar is experiencing an unprecedented wave of cultural, economic, and sports activities in November, as Doha prepares to host a series of international conferences, exhibitions, festivals, and championships, highlighting its position as a regional hub for innovation, sustainability, and excellence.From Sustainability Week to the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, Doha Film Festival, and Qatar International Exhibition For Travel and Tourism, the events cover sectors such as sports, economy, health, education, and culture, reflecting Qatar's vision of promoting international dialogue and supporting sustainable development.Nov 1-7: Qatar Sustainability Week led by Earthna, 10th edition of Qatar Sustainability Week will highlight sustainability efforts.Nov 3-27: FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Qatar is set to host its third global tournament under the supervision of FIFA, after it has been awarded the hosting rights for the FIFA U-17 World Cup November 4-8: KIDS EXPO 2025 Under the theme "Our Children are the Greatest Treasure," the second edition of the Expo will be held to raise awareness about children's rights.Nov 5-8: Qatar Boat Show 2025 Held at the Old Doha Port, the second edition of Qatar Boat Show 2025 will combine heritage, luxury, and innovation in yachting.Novr 11-13: Qatar Medicare 2025 Qatar Medicare stands as Qatar's first International Healthcare and Medical Trade Exhibition and Conference, convening an extensive network of healthcare stakeholders.Nov 17-19: Rowad 2025 Conference Under the theme "Beyond Boundaries: Scaling, Sustaining, and Succeeding," Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference 2025 is considered the most influential event in the State of Qatar's entrepreneurship sector. This year's edition will focus on the requirements for international growth and expansion beyond local markets.Nov 20-22: 17th Gulf Heart Association Conference The conference will cover numerous topics of advanced and general cardiology. It aims to bring together leading experts, researchers, and healthcare professionals to share knowledge and research on all aspects of heart disease prevention, diagnosis, and management.Nov 20-23: 5th Qatar Taekwondo Open Championships The Championship will bring together international athletes.Nov 20-28: Doha Film Festival Doha Film Festival upports talent, promots cultural dialogue, and showcases innovative visions.Nov 24-25: 12th World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) The 12th edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE 12) centers around the theme "Humanity.io: Human Values at the Heart of Education." WISE 12 aims to deepen discussions on the purpose of education and its pivotal role in serving humanity.Nov 24-26: Qatar International Exhibition For Travel and Tourism 2025 (QTM 2025) QTM 2025 is a prominent platform in the field of travel and tourism, bringing together leading global destinations to showcase the latest trends in sports tourism, conferences and exhibitions tourism, business and cultural tourism, and leisure tourism.Nov 25-26: MWC Doha 2025 MWC25 Doha is the first-ever edition of the GSMA's MWC Series to be held in the Middle East and North Africa. The event marks a key milestone in positioning Qatar as a regional hub for digital innovation and transformation.The conference will explore three key themes: AI Nexus, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence in powering innovation; Intelligent Economies, centered on secure digital infrastructure and next-generation networks; and Connected Industries, highlighting the growing impact of emerging technologies on daily life and economic systems.Nov 27-29: 6th International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHCC Qatar 2025) The Conference brings together specialists, policymakers, and researchers to exchange knowledge and best practices in the field of primary health care.Nov 28-30: 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship It is one of the season's most anticipated races.This vibrant calendar underscores the State of Qatar's commitment to solidifying its position on the global events map, attracting international expertise, and affirming its leadership in building a future driven by innovation and knowledge.

Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has announced a bumper entry of 43 cars, 57 motorcycles and four quads for next weekend’s Qatar International Baja, the penultimate rounds of the FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups and the FIM Bajas World Cup.The event takes place over a total desert route of 773.83km with 453.21 timed against the clock on November 6-8. Argentine Toyota driver Juan Cruz Yacopini has a 22-point lead in the FIA World Baja Cup and tops a truly world class field of cars across the Ultimate, Challenger, SSV and Stock categories. There are 10 entries in the flagship Ultimate class, 10 in Challenger, 19 in SSV and four in the Stock section for series-production cross-country machines.Yacopini’s main FIA World Cup title rival Miroslav Zapletal is also present on an Ultimate list that includes leading Saudi star and FIA Middle East Baja Cup challenger Dania Akeel (Toyota), defending Baja champion Denis Krotov (Mini) and Czech veteran Martin Prokop (Ford).Sergei Remennik and Khalifa al-Jafla are currently locked in a duel for the Challenger title in their Taurus T3s with Remennik holding a 35-point lead with two rounds remaining,Competition will be fierce with local legend and multiple event winner Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah wheeling out a Taurus and the likes of FIA Middle East Baja Cup leader Khalifa Saleh al-Attiyah, Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Ahmed al-Kuwari and Nouef al-Sowaidi all representing the QMMF Team.Dutchman Mitchel van den Brink has a big lead in the SSV class and is also in contention for the overall title. The Can-Am Maverick R driver tops the category with team-mate Mattias Ekstrom and title rivals Hamed al-Wahaibi (Can-Am), Amerigo Ventura (Yamaha) and Paul Severn (Polaris).Mohammed al-Atteya and Mohammed al-Marri represent the QMMF Team, while last year’s Challenger category winner Anya Van Loon is also present racing against her husband Erik in the same class. Hamza Bakhashab leads the field in the FIA Middle East Baja Cup.Fernando Barreiros and Majed al-Thunayyan will fight it out for Stock points in the FIA World Baja Cup in their Nissans, while Abdullah al-Rabban will be hoping to hold off local rival Mohammed Al-Meer in the quest for FIA Middle East Baja Cup honours.Two-time event winner Mohammed al-Balooshi tops the two-wheel contingent on his KTM 450 RR, as the MX Ride Dubai pilot attempts to extend his lead in the FIM Bajas World Cup and retain the title.Main rival Rafic Eid is also present on his GasGas 450 Rally and another two-time event winner, Konrad Dabrowski, will wheel out his Duust Rally Team KTM in a bid to overhaul the absent Victor Manuel Moya Aguilera as the leading FIM Junior rider. Emirati Sultan Al-Shanqiti rides the third of the MX Ride Dubai entries.Saudi Baja winner Alex McInnes (Husqvarna) and leading Jordanian rider Abdullah Abu Aisheh (Yamaha) will also be looking to challenge for the podium.Three girls are chasing FIM points in the Women’s category. Alona Ben Natan leads the title race and faces competition from the Duust Rally Team’s Joanna Modrzewska and Kuwait’s Sarah Khuraibet.There is strength in depth down the entire motorcycle field with additional riders entered from Portugal, France, Jordan, India, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Croatia, the Netherlands, Norway, Lebanon, Mexico, the UAE and Poland.The host nation is represented by Mohammed al-Kubais and Abdulrahman al-Sheeb, Last year’s event winner Hani al-Noumesi leads the FIM Quad standings with two rounds to go and lines up against fellow Saudi Abdulaziz al-Atawi, Emirati Abdulaziz Ahli and local rider Yaghoob Azadi. All four entrants will ride Yamahas.

Organised by the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA) in partnership with the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS), the conference on knowledge management: enhancing humanitarian action effectiveness kicked off Tuesday. With the participation of a distinguished lineup of experts and specialists from Qatar and beyond, the conference aims to explore ways to develop knowledge management in the humanitarian and development sectors, and to showcase leading regional and international experiences in this field. In his opening remarks, Director of Licensing and Support at RACA Rashid Mohammed al-Nuaimi highlighted that the conference comes as part of RACA's ongoing efforts to enhance response efficiency and the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions, especially during times of crisis. He noted that the application of knowledge management in the humanitarian field still requires deeper understanding and adaptation to local and regional contexts. He also called for greater investment in this area and the establishment of institutional systems and practices to anchor knowledge management as a strategic asset that supports innovation, good governance, and improved performance in humanitarian organisations. Al-Nuaimi added that through this conference, RACA seeks to promote a shared understanding of knowledge management concepts within the humanitarian and development context, to identify and analyse key challenges, and to benefit from local and international experiences in developing effective and sustainable strategies for the sector. The Director of Licensing and Support at RACA said that the conference aligns with the humanitarian and charitable sector strategy 2025-2030, which aims to empower nonprofit organisations in Qatar with tools for institutional excellence, while strengthening innovation and integration across their operations. Director of CHS Dr Ghassan Elkahlout praised the ongoing partnership between CHS and RACA, noting that the conference serves as a scientific and professional platform for exchanging expertise and building a deeper understanding of the role of knowledge management in improving humanitarian response. Dr Elkahlout said knowledge exchange among humanitarian work actors is a key pillar for policy development, enhancing field work efficiency, and improving humanitarian institution governance. The first day of the conference featured panel discussions on global concepts and standards of knowledge management in humanitarian work, where participants underscored the importance of building an institutional culture grounded in knowledge and innovation, and of developing systems that support the quality and sustainability of humanitarian efforts. The conference will continue showcasing Qatari experiences in humanitarian knowledge management and decision-making support, along with practical applications in knowledge management and discussions on localising global best practices to suit the specific needs of Qatar's and the region's humanitarian sectors. RACA aims, through this conference, to consolidate Qatar's position as a key hub in the development of humanitarian practices and the enhancement of their efficiency, by building institutional systems that adopt knowledge management as a strategic tool for innovation and performance improvement. This approach aligns with the humanitarian and charitable sector strategy 2025-2030 and contributes to achieving Qatar's National Vision for Sustainable Development. (QNA)

The Organising Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex 2026) has signed a co-operation agreement with Barzan Holdings, under which the company will serve as the Strategic Partner and Gold Sponsor of the prestigious event for the fourth consecutive edition. Held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces, the ninth edition of Dimdex will take place from Jan 19-22, 2026, at the Qatar National Convention Centre. The event will be held under the theme: "A Global Hub for Defence Innovations: Invest in Possibilities to Shape a Secure Tomorrow." The enduring partnership between Dimdex and Barzan Holdings underscores the commitment of national entities to supporting major events hosted by Qatar. It further reflects the notable advancement of the country's defence industries, while providing Barzan Holdings with a unique platform to present its innovations to global markets and to engage with the wealth of expertise the event attracts. The signing ceremony was held at the Qatar Ministry of Defence in the presence of HE Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lt. Gen. (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed al-Mannai and Chief Investment Officer at Barzan Holdings Mohammed Ahmad al-Mulla. The agreement was officiated by Chairman of the Dimdex Organising Committee Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh al-Ansari and Chief Commercial Officer at Barzan Holdings Omar Fahad al-Qadi. In this regard, al-Mannai said: "The Qatari Armed Forces takes great pride in organising and hosting the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference, which serves as a platform that reflects our commitment to excellence in the military field. Our partnerships with national bodies and institutions play a vital role in the success of this event and in enhancing its international impact. By combining expertise, innovation, and strategic vision, we work together to strengthen Qatar's position across various security and defense sectors, and to build partnerships that contribute to fostering security and achieving sustainable development." For his part, al-Ansari said: "Our longstanding partnership with Barzan Holdings represents a cornerstone in delivering another exceptional edition of Dimdex. The company's pivotal role in advancing the defence industry and introducing cutting-edge technologies to the State of Qatar is fully aligned with our aspirations to build a future defined by sustainable security for generations to come. Dimdex continues to serve as a premier platform for showcasing these innovations, fostering dialogue between government decision makers, industry leaders and exhibitors, and enabling the establishment of strategic partnerships that shape the future of defence and security regionally and globally." Group Chief Executive Officer of Barzan Holdings Eng. Mohammed bin Bader al-Sadah said: "As long-time partners of Dimdex, Barzan Holdings is proud to return as a Strategic Partner and Gold Sponsor for the 2026 edition. Over the years, our collaboration has been central to advancing Qatar's defence and maritime security goals. One of our main objectives in this edition is to showcase our capabilities, products and services to the international market, and Dimdex provides us with a strategic avenue to achieve that. Dimdex remains a vital platform for us to connect with industry leaders, showcase our latest technologies, and explore new partnerships that drive innovation and contribute to regional security. Together, we are shaping a safer and more secure future through collaboration, technology, and shared expertise." The Barzan Holdings pavilion at Dimdex 2026 is anticipated to be a focal point of interest for visitors, where the company will present its most recent achievements and contributions to the maritime defence sector. As a national leader in the defence and security sector, Barzan Holdings serves as a key gateway for defence industry trade in Qatar. The company actively fosters global co-operation and influential partnerships aimed at advancing knowledge-sharing and investment in innovative defence technologies, thereby consolidating Qatar's position at the forefront of opportunities in the current and future defence markets. Dimdex reaffirms Qatar's commitment to providing a world-class platform to showcase advanced defence innovations, strengthen long-term partnerships, and create new business opportunities. The event further contributes to supporting local economic growth by attracting thousands of participants and visitors in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030. (QNA)

3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) has opened “Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street”, a major touring exhibition from London’s Design Museum, making its Middle East debut in Doha until March 7, 2026.Unveiled by Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the exhibition traces the design and cultural evolution of sneakers – shoes that began as athletic gear and grew into a global phenomenon shaping sport, style, and identity.Featuring more than 200 pairs of sneakers displayed alongside photographs, films, and archival materials, the exhibition offers an immersive journey through sneaker history.Highlights include rare and limited-edition designs as well as an exclusive presentation of Virgil Abloh’s celebrated sneaker creations.“’Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street’ reflects our ongoing commitment to exploring the intersection of sport, design, and culture,” said QOSM president Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulla al-Thani. “This exhibition celebrates how innovation and creativity have transformed something as everyday as a shoe into a global cultural phenomenon.”“By hosting this show in Doha, we continue to engage diverse audiences, inspire the next generation, and highlight the universal power of sport as a unifying force that transcends borders and disciplines,” he said.The exhibition explores sneaker culture through two key lenses: style and performance.The exhibition highlights how innovation and design have revolutionised athletic footwear, transforming the way athletes train and compete.It also delves into the cultural impact of sneakers, revealing how they have become enduring symbols of identity, creativity, and self-expression across generations and communities.“Over the past 50 years, sneakers have evolved from a sports shoe to the most prominent form of footwear in the world with well over a billion pairs sold last year alone,” said Design Museum chief executive and director Tim Marlow. “This exhibition explores a global design phenomenon that has fascinated everyone from sneakerheads to world class athletes, a complex and captivating mixture of technical innovation, high performance problem solving and street-style sub-cultures.”“Sneakers Unboxed” in Doha is part of the legacy of the Qatar-UK 2013 Year of Culture, a wide-ranging celebration of shared cultural ties between Qatar and the UK.The exhibition is presented as part of "Evolution Nation", an 18-month campaign honouring Qatar’s cultural journey over the past 50 years, since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar.Curated by Qatar Creates, the national movement positioning Qatar as a global hub for art, culture, and creativity, Evolution Nation highlights both the nation’s cultural milestones and its aspirations for the future.

Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) achieved a major milestone by reducing the time required to establish a company in the country to two days.After a meeting chaired by HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani to review the performance of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the third quarter, MoCI noted, “The number of active commercial licences rose by 6.79%. Additionally, 4,631 new non-Qatari companies were established.” The meeting reviewed the key achievements of the third quarter and discussed detailed performance indicators across the ministry’s sectors and administrative units.Participants also examined existing challenges and proposed solutions to strengthen the implementation of plans and programmes, improve efficiency, and enhance institutional performance and service quality.The meeting was attended by HE the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed bin Hassan al-Malki besides senior officials.MoCI said the Commercial Affairs Sector demonstrated significant progress across its key performance indicators. The number of new commercial registrations increased by 81.5% compared to the same period in 2024, while active main and subsidiary registrations grew by 18.1%.It said the ‘Single Window’ platform added five new electronic services in the third quarter, bringing the total to 13 since the beginning of 2025.It processed 72,500 transactions, 89% of which were submitted electronically, achieving a customer satisfaction rate of 94%.In the Industrial and Business Development Sector, the contribution of manufacturing industries to GDP reached QR13.44bn in the second quarter and QR26.84bn in the first half of 2025.During the third quarter, some 30 factories were evaluated under the Smart Industry Readiness Index.During the same period, the Ministry enhanced collaboration with the private sector to identify and address challenges, resolving 35% of reported issues.As many as 12 PPP projects were studied during the year—three more than in the previous quarter—while four new projects were launched and one awarded in the third quarter.The Consumer Affairs Sector also recorded “positive” results, MoCI said.The number of specialised licences issued increased by 30.87% compared to the third quarter of 2024, with the issuance period reduced to one day.Processing times for pricing requests of goods and services also decreased compared to previous quarters.The number of ration card beneficiaries rose by 2.61%, and the number of fodder distributors increased by 96.9% year-on-year.MoCI reviewed the safety levels and strategic reserves of essential commodities and fodder, and successfully resolved more than 8,000 consumer complaints.At the market monitoring level, MoCI conducted 73,747 inspection campaigns across all administrative units, underscoring its commitment to market regulation and consumer protection.The meeting highlighted several notable achievements, including the entry into force of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between Qatar and Türkiye on August 1, aimed to reinforce mutual trade relations and ease investment restrictions. The Ministry also launched an electronic platform for public-private partnership (PPP) projects and introduced 20 new e-services spanning specialised licensing, market monitoring, competition protection, consumer protection, and combatting commercial fraud.During the third quarter, the Ministry rolled out the Single Window’s ‘Sharikati’ on mobile application, alongside a voluntary review programme for merger and acquisition projects. The Ministry also secured first place and received the Golden Award in the 11th National Cyber Drill.Other key developments included merging the land, sea and air freight activities under a single commercial registration, introducing a temporary commercial licence for service providers in the Sealine area, publishing the updated Industrial Sectors Directory, and issuing a comprehensive guide on trade name procedures.MoCI also organised the Public–Private Dialogue Forum, strengthened its strategic partnership with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and exempted certain categories of citizens from fees for the issuance or replacement of ration cards.HE Sheikh Faisal emphasised the importance of maintaining a results-driven, efficiency-based approach, advancing digital transformation, and continuously improving services to enhance the competitiveness of national economy in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Qatar University’s (QU) College of Business and Economics continues the Business Mastery Programme—Fall 2025, organised by the Learning Support Section in collaboration with the Centre for Entrepreneurship. The program is designed to equip third- and fourth-year students with the practical skills in entrepreneurship and management necessary for a seamless transition from academic study to the professional environment, while enhancing their preparedness to meet the demands of the labour market through an integrated approach combining theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. For this academic year, the programme consists of four comprehensive workshops, three of which have been conducted so far. This year, the emphasis is on the development of skills in entrepreneurial thinking, entrepreneurial marketing, psychological resilience and adaptation in entrepreneurship, and innovation management. The interactive workshops are led by members of the Centre for Entrepreneurship: Maisoun Sewailem, Faten Ramadan, and Hamza al-Sioufy. Fatema Khalil Hasan, head of the Learning Support Section at the College of Business and Economics, emphasised the holistic educational value of the programme, currently in its third edition and enabling students to acquire core personal and professional skills.