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The importance of human-centred, values-driven leadership that is focused on improving lives and societies has been emphasised to young people from across Qatar, as the inaugural Qiyada conference by Qatar Foundation (QF) came to a close Saturday.The two-day event at Education City brought together leading scholars, thinkers, influencers, and role models from around the world to engage and support the nation’s youth in becoming leaders and drivers of positive social change while strengthening their Islamic identity.Over 1,000 students from Qatar’s schools and universities attended the conference, joining discussions exploring solutions to the challenges of the modern world that have their grounding in faith and knowledge.On the second day of the conference, HE Sheikha Dr Hessa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, chairperson and founder of the Wellbeing and Career Development Training Centre in Doha and an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Sciences at Qatar University, presented a model of leadership from the perspective of wellbeing, based on five fundamental pillars that shape the character of Muslim leaders: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, and social wellbeing.“In Islam, and the teachings of Allah, leadership has a wider and a deeper significance, and a sense of being guided by what is right and following the path of truth and righteousness,” she explained.She urged the young people attending the Qiyada conference to be nothing but good and give nothing but good while emphasising the importance of combining knowledge and action: “Knowledge calls for action, so either you respond to it, or it departs from you,” she said.Dr Mutlaq Aljasser, preacher and scholar at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs of Kuwait, spoke of how, in the modern world, materialism has assumed dominance over moral values.“We must correct our view of success in life and adopt it as our compass. Once that is achieved, leadership and progress will follow,” he added.In the conference’s closing session, Sheikh Salem al-Ahbabi, director of Ibn Al-Zubair Scientific Centre, spoke about three fundamental pillars that shape identity and to which young people should return: religion, language and history."Through our meetings with young people, both in the Gulf region and abroad, we have noticed a significant lack of basic information related to Islamic culture. However, filling this gap does not require great effort or a long period of study,” he said.“When non-Arabs convert to Islam, they eagerly embrace learning Arabic, experiencing its beauty because it is the language of the Holy Qur’an, even if native Arabic speakers themselves abandon it. Today's advanced nations take pride in their history. However, we possess a great, extended history, and we must treat history fairly: benefiting from its positive aspects, and learning from its mistakes," he added.Dr Omar Suleiman, founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, said: “Excellence is a lifestyle – good deeds are never isolated; each good action has other good deeds that flow from it, just as every bad deed points to others like it."“When you see someone striving for excellence in one area of life, know that they carry a mindset of excellence that extends to other areas as well. Excellence requires balance, and it also demands discipline – approaching every aspect of life with the same mindset of precision and commitment,” he added.

The inaugural Qiyada conference by Qatar Foundation (QF) has seen athletes from Qatar reveal how faith has guided their journeys in sport – teaching them discipline, resilience and purpose, and helping to make it about more than just winning.The conference took place from September 19-20 at Multaqa, bringing together Muslim youth from schools and universities across Qatar to engage, share challenges, and explore faith-driven solutions.Athletic Edge founder Rabaah al-Musleh spoke about her journey as a runner – from struggling to run more than a minute when she started in 2018, to completing marathons.“Faith has shaped me a lot as an athlete – faith has added a deeper purpose to my running,” she said.“For every runner, the purpose of running and participating in marathons is to achieve personal bests,” al-Musleh said. “But because of faith, my purpose is to show gratitude for the things Allah has given me – health, physical strength, and mental strength.”“Truly believing in Allah, and the support that Allah will give you during this journey, will make the journey easier, more enjoyable, and more spiritual,” she added. “It gives running a deeper purpose, beyond just achieving personal goals.”Ahmed al-Shahrani, an adaptive athlete and Guinness World Record holder as the first and fastest para-athlete to cross Qatar by wheelchair, encouraged attendees to embrace their identity.“A part of being human is to be an ambassador for your culture: who you are, what you are,” he said.“You also have to know that you're going to play multiple roles in your life,” al-Shahrani continued. “You have to know that your identity has to be more than just what you do and what you enjoy – it has to be rooted in something deeper. And I find nothing deeper than faith.”He also spoke about the role of discipline, particularly during Ramadan.“It's just amazing how much you can achieve when you put your mind to it, and when you're disciplined,” al-Shahrani added. “And discipline is a big part of Ramadan."Amal Mohammed Saleh, captain of Qatar’s women’s national basketball team and an internationally licensed basketball referee, shared her experience of advocating for Muslim women athletes.In 2014, her team attended a tournament, but could not compete because players were not allowed to wear the hijab on court.“But we had faith,” Saleh said. “In 2017, basketball’s rules were changed, allowing Muslim women to fully participate while wearing the hijab.”

Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference has announced that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has joined the upcoming edition 'Driving GCC Entrepreneurial Growth' as strategic partner. This high-level forum, organised by The Business Year and Msheireb Properties aims to foster dialogue between policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the Gulf region.The partnership underscores MCIT's commitment to advancing Qatar's digital transformation, fostering innovation, and building a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in line with the Third National Development Strategy, Qatar National Vision 2030, and Digital Agenda 2030. By focusing on emerging technologies, digital inclusion, and innovation-led growth, MCIT's participation emphasises the vital role of public-private collaboration in shaping the region's future as a knowledge-based economy.Faraj Jassim Abdulla, director of the Digital Economy Department at MCIT, stated: "Through the Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference, MCIT aims to empower entrepreneurs and innovators across the GCC by providing a platform to connect, share ideas, and explore growth opportunities. This conference is an excellent example of how public-private partnerships can strengthen the digital economy, accelerate innovation, and position Qatar as a leader in innovation and sustainable economic transformation."The conference, scheduled for November 3 at Barahat Msheireb, will convene senior leaders from government, investment, and the private sector to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital transformation across the GCC. Msheireb Downtown Doha will provide a fitting venue for these regional stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions on the role of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth, strategies for scaling start-ups, the evolving investment landscape, and the importance of public-private partnerships in strengthening global competitiveness.New to this year's edition is the “AI for Good Innovation Challenge”, hosted in collaboration with the AI for Good initiative YAILs and its Doha chapter. This dynamic segment will provide a global platform for showcasing emerging AI-driven solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), featuring emerging companies from across the GCC alongside main panel discussions with industry leaders and policymakers.As a Strategic Partner, MCIT will play a central role in shaping the programme, ensuring alignment with Qatar's national priorities and reinforcing the country's position as a regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The State of Qatar participated in the Yemen Maritime Security Partnership Conference held in Riyadh under the auspices of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. The State of Qatar's delegation was headed by Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bandar bin Mohammed Al Attiyah.

Qafco CEO Abdulrahman al-Suwaidi will outline the focus of the 15th edition of GPCA Agri-Nutrients Conference, which is ‘innovation and sustainability in the agri-nutrient sector’.The conference is set to take place from September 29 to October 1 in Abu Dhabi.Al-Suwaidi, who is also Chairman, GPCA Agri-Nutrients Committee, will deliver welcome address at the event.Hosted by Fertiglobe, the conference will convene global leaders and stakeholders to explore the future of agri-nutrients and chart a path toward sustainable growth.A CEOs plenary featuring Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO, Yara International, and Ahmed el-Hoshy, CEO, Fertiglobe, will discuss the importance of advancing agri-nutrients to meet tomorrow’s challenges.A high-level Leadership dialogue ‘Accelerating Growth: Harnessing Innovation, Sustainability, and Scalability’ will feature Naser al-Omaira, (Acting) CEO, Fertil; Fahad al-Battar, CEO, SABIC Agri-Nutrients; N Suresh Krishnan, Board of Directors, Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) and MD and CEO, Paradeep Phosphates; and Rakesh Kapur, Joint MD, IFFCO, to explore strategic priorities for driving sustainable growth in the agri-nutrient sector.An executive panel “How nutrients innovation drives sustainability and quality for food brands” will feature Dr Rania Abou Samra, VP, Innovation and Research, Nestle MENA, and Tom Harvey, GM, Commercial, Spinneys, who will explore how innovation in agri-nutrients can enhance food quality, sustainability, and consumer trust.The panel will be followed by discussions on unlocking future growth across the agri-nutrient sector, innovations in agri-nutrient technologies for sustainable agriculture, and a fireside chat on AI-driven transformation in manufacturing.The opening address on Day 2 will be presented by Fahad al-Battar, followed by a Keynote address from Dr Shamal Mohammed, CEO, Innovation Oasis–Silal, who will discuss world food security, challenges and pathways to sustainable nourishment. The last day of the conference will feature engaging conversations on building resilient supply chains in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world, regulatory and trade imperatives impacting future growth, mega-trends and emerging markets.“We express our appreciation to Fertiglobe for hosting the 15th GPCA Agri-Nutrients Conference in Abu Dhabi and we look forward to welcoming delegates to one of the region’s most influential industry gatherings,” said Dr Abdulwahab al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA. “This conference is a catalyst for networking and collaboration across the global and regional agri-nutrient value chain, and we anticipate strong participation and engagement.”The GPCA Operational Excellence Workshop will return for its third edition on September 29. Building on its success, this immersive workshop will allow delegates to gain practical insights about driving operational efficiency in agri-nutrient production plants.

The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has announced the opening of registration for the 6th International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHCC) Qatar 2025, which will be held from November 27 to 29 under the patronage of HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud.The conference is expected to attract around 1,000 participants, including distinguished speakers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, educators, students, and stakeholders from around the world, reflecting its position as one of the leading specialised medical events in the region.This year’s conference enjoys diamond sponsorship from Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Armed Forces, Ooredoo, and QNB, alongside the participation of the Ministry of Public Health as an official partner. This highlights the commitment of various national entities to supporting the health sector and strengthening its vital role in serving the community.Dr Mariam Ali Abdul Malik, managing director of PHCC and chair of Conference Organising Committee, affirmed that the 6th IPHCC represents a leading scientific and professional platform that enables the exchange of expertise and knowledge and promotes collaboration between healthcare and academic institutions, contributing to the development of primary healthcare systems in Qatar and globally.She invited all physicians, healthcare professionals, researchers, students, and stakeholders from inside and outside Qatar to actively participate in this distinguished medical event, benefit from its scientific programmes and specialised workshops, and take the opportunity to present scientific research abstracts.

Qatar Chamber participated in the 14th World Chambers Congress in Australia's Melbourne.The biannual conference was held under the theme "Business, chambers, government: Partners for prosperity," with the attendance of 1,200 participants from a 100 countries. It featured 30 panel sessions with more than 80 speakers. Discussions centred on how fostering collaboration among businesses, chambers of commerce, and governments can effectively drive economic growth and prosperity.Qatar Chamber’s delegation, chaired by Chairman of Qatar Chamber and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Qatar) Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, discussed ways to enhance co-operation with chambers of commerce worldwide, exchange experiences on best practices that support the private sector and promote inter-trade between countries.Sheikh Khalifa took part in the World Chambers Federation (WCF) Executive Committee meeting and the "Chamber Leadership Round Table: Strategic Dialogue on Global Trends." He also met with Governor of Victoria Professor Margaret Gardner AC where they discussed ways to enhance co-operation, particularly in economic and commercial fields.Additionally, Sheikh Khalifa held separate meetings with Philippe Varin, Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); Rifat Hisarciklioglu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkiye (TOBB); Gennadiy Chyzhykov, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Lyall Gorman, Deputy President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Danny Pearson MP, Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, and Gonul Serbest, Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa.The Chamber’s delegation held a meeting with a delegation of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Discussions during these meetings focused on enhancing co-operation between the Qatari private sector and its counterparts in these countries, as well as reviewing the business climate and investment opportunities.For his part, QC Board Member Mohamed al-Obaidli participated in a panel session titled "Investing in Stability: Building Trust and Fostering Investment Readiness in the Face of Sweeping Changes." Sheikha Tamader al-Thani, ICC Qatar Secretary-General and Director of International Relations and Chambers Affairs at Qatar Chamber, participated in the WCF General Council Meeting, the WCF Women’s Council workshop on "Building Effective Women’s Entrepreneurship Programmes: Why Chambers The Case for Championing Women Entrepreneurs," as well as the Best Chamber Innovative Project Competition.In addition, Ahmed Abu Nahya moderated a panel session titled "World Chambers Competition: Best out-of-the-box project."Sheikh Khalifa emphasised that the Qatar Chamber was keen to participate in this global conference, noting that Chamber had previously hosted its eighth edition in 2013.He highlighted Qatar’s key in supporting the flow of global trade and pointed out that the conference serves as a leading global platform, bringing together chambers from around the world to discuss best practices, exchange experiences, and review key achievements in international trade.The World Chambers Congress, organised by the ICC and its World Chambers Federation, is the largest and only international forum that enables chamber leaders and professionals to share best practices, exchange insights, develop networks, address the latest business issues affecting their communities, and learn about new areas of innovation from chambers around the world.Qatar Chamber’s participation as a platinum sponsor of the congress reflects its commitment to strengthening its presence in global economic forums, showcasing investment opportunities in Qatar, and fostering new partnerships with counterparts from around the world to serve the aspirations of the Qatari private sector.Through its pavilion at the congress, the Chamber highlighted Qatar’s investment climate and promoted avenues for co-operation and partnership between the Qatari private sector and businesses from the participating countries.

Rajagiri Public School (RPS), Doha, hosted the 5th edition of its annual educational conference, Metanoia 2025 – Learning Beyond the Horizon. The two-day event saw educators and thought leaders engage in an exchange of ideas rooted in the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the emerging demands of 21st-century education.RPS director and noted consultant psychiatrist Dr Aju Abraham inaugurated the event and stressed on fostering psychological well-being in both children and adults within the educational ecosystem. Ten presentations by RPS faculty showcased innovative teaching strategies and progressive educational paradigms.Gayathri Palla, Microsoft Cloud Architect, Qatar, spoke on Cyber Safety and Security in Educational Spaces. The chief guest at the valedictory function was Bimalendu B Nath, director of MIE-SPPU Institute of Higher Education, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Qatar Campus. RPS administrative director Jinsu Aju felicitated him.Principal Joshy Abraham congratulated the presenters and thanked the organising team which had vice principal Radhakrishnan as chief co-ordinator.