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Compass International School Doha is delighted to share that our Gharaffa Campus has recently been honoured with the prestigious Clear Flag Award by Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education.The Clear Flag Award recognises schools that go above and beyond to provide a safe, supportive, and values-driven environment for students. To receive this award, schools must demonstrate a strong partnership with parents, maintain a record free from complaints or violations, and show a consistent commitment to high-quality education and care. The award is a celebration of schools that create spaces where students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn every day.What is the Clear Flag Award?The Clear Flag Award is one of the highest recognitions given to private schools and kindergartens in Qatar. It is awarded only to schools that:Have no complaints or violations during the academic year.Demonstrate a positive and transparent relationship with parents.Show full commitment to accuracy, professionalism, and timely communication with the Ministry of Education.This recognition is not given lightly – it represents years of hard work, care, and dedication. Winning the Clear Flag Award shows that a school not only meets expectations but sets the benchmark for excellence in safety, wellbeing, and community trust.Principal Jamie Hughes said:“This recognition is a proud moment for our whole Compass community. It reflects the care and dedication of our staff, the trust of our families, and the safe and inspiring environment we provide for every student. It is a wonderful confirmation of what we work toward every single day.”Lorna McNab, Head of Primary at Gharaffa Campus, added:“This award shines a light on the incredible relationships we have built with our families and the positive, nurturing atmosphere that our children enjoy. At Gharaffa, we are truly one community working together to help every child succeed.”This achievement underlines Compass International School Doha’s dedication to excellence, and we look forward to continuing to build on this success together with our families and wider community.As part of the Nord Anglia Education leading premium international schools, Compass International School shapes a generation of creative and resilient global citizens who graduate with everything they need for future success. The school’s strong academic foundations combine world-class teaching and internationally recognised curricula with cutting-edge technology and facilities, creating a learning environment for students to thrive in. Our family of 80+ schools in 30+ countries around the world cultivates an approach to learning that is personalised and provides students with unforgettable experiences through partnerships with world-renowned institutions The Juilliard School, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and UNICEF. As one of the most established schools in Qatar, Compass International School inspires students to achieve outstanding academic results and go on to study at the world’s leading universities.To learn more or apply for a place for your child, go to Compass International School

Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) has been recognized with the "Prestigious RoSPA Gold Award" by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), UK, for the year 2025. This global recognition was achieved thanks to the collaborative efforts and innovation of Qatar Rail, and its service provider, RKH's Occupational Health and Safety Teams, supported by robust health and safety management systems across all operations, said a press release from Qatar Rail. The RoSPA Adjudication Panel evaluated Qatar Rail's practices across a wide range of categories, including leadership, workforce involvement, planning and risk assessment, communication, monitoring, investigation, and performance review, among others. On this occasion, Senior QSHESE Director at Qatar Rail Eng. Abdulrahman Al Malik stated: "This achievement reflects Qatar Rail's leadership and its efforts in collaboration with RKH Qitarat to enhance the effective use of health and safety management systems, as well as its continuous commitment to adopting the best international practices. Additionally, it reflects our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our employees, passengers, and partners. This accolade is also a testament to the culture of care, accountability, and continuous improvement that drives our operations and strengthens Qatar Rail's role as a leader in sustainable and safe mobility." Winning the RoSPA Gold Award places Qatar Rail among an elite group of international organizations that have demonstrated world-class leadership in health and safety. The award is particularly significant as it is recognized across industries globally, from transport and infrastructure to energy and healthcare, making it a hallmark of international excellence and trust. In 2017, Qatar Rail won three international awards from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for the Lusail Tram and the Doha Metro Gold and Green Lines. The Lusail Tram won the Gold Award for Health and Safety for the second consecutive time, while the Doha Metro Gold and Green Lines won the Silver Award, and the main stations won the Guardian Angel Award. The Lusail Tram was awarded the RoSPA Gold medal in 2020 for winning RoSPA Gold for 5 consecutive years from 2016-2020. Each year, nearly 2,000 entries are received from over 50 countries, representing organizations that collectively employ more than seven million people. The RoSPA Awards recognize organizations that set the highest benchmarks in accident prevention, workplace safety, and employee wellbeing.

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) is positioning the ‘Qatar Real Estate Award 2025’ as a strategic initiative to enhance regulatory impact and promote excellence across the country’s property sector.Aqarat recently announced the launch of the awards event, which will be held alongside the third edition of the ‘Qatar Real Estate Forum’, organised by the authority from October 12-14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).In a statement, Aqarat described the ‘Qatar Real Estate Award 2025’ as “a dedicated platform to celebrate excellence and innovation” in Qatar’s real estate sector. “The award aims to honour pioneering projects and innovative ideas that enhance Qatar’s position as a leading global investment destination, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030,” Aqarat stated further.The award categories include ‘Best Residential Project’, which is evaluated on quality of life elements, building classification, green space ratio, community services and amenities, public utility integration, and resident satisfaction metrics.The ‘Best Sustainable Urban Development Project’ is assessed through architectural plans, construction materials, environmental certification (GSAS or LEED), efficiency reports, smart systems, EIA studies, and readiness for future technologies.The ‘Best Commercial/Office Real Estate Project’ is judged on work environment, digital infrastructure, proximity to business hubs, interior flexibility, and integration with public services.The ‘Best Rest Estate Investment’ award is based on feasibility studies, ROI indicators, occupancy/sales rates, market contribution, job creation, operations and maintenance (O&M) and expansion plans, and connectivity and integration with public utilities and community services.Aqarat is inviting all real estate developers, consulting firms, and contractors to nominate their outstanding projects to Deadline for submission is on October 7, 2025.In his official message on the forum’s website, Aqarat chairman Khaled bin Ahmed al-Obaidli emphasised the broader significance of the forum and its alignment with Qatar’s national development goals.“The third edition also places strong emphasis on the pivotal role of government in shaping the sector. It highlights recent legislation and policies designed to create a safe and stimulating real estate environment, strengthen investor confidence, and establish a robust regulatory framework that ensures sustainable and well-organised growth, aligning with the goals of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030,” al-Obaidli stated.He noted that this year’s edition will be devoted to the investor journey by reviewing the stages of investment and the best practices “that help investors maximise the promising opportunities offered by Qatar’s real estate market.”“Forum sessions will further examine ways to streamline procedures and enhance the overall investor experience, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a leading real estate investment destination distinguished by transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business,” he pointed out.Al-Obaidli added: “In light of global transformations, this forum will feature a dedicated section on the latest digital innovations revolutionising the sector, including smart platforms and advanced data analytics.“These technologies play a vital role in enhancing transparency, facilitating investment, and unlocking new horizons for growth in Qatar’s real estate landscape. Moreover, the forum will highlight the most prominent projects that are shaping the future of the sector and defining Qatar’s urban and economic development trajectory.”

Qatar Airways has been awarded the ACT Middle East Treasury Award for capital raising for its landmark QR4.5bn QNB-led dual-tranche syndicated facility and supported by a consortium of local banks. “The milestone transaction marks one of the largest aviation finance deals of its kind in the region, reinforcing the airline’s financial strength and resilience.“The achievement underscores Qatar Airways’ prudent financial strategy, strong relationships with Qatar’s world-class banking sector, and its ability to successfully navigate complex financing structures to supportlong-term sustainable growth.” QNB, as the leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, played a pivotal role in structuring and leading the capital raising, leveraging its expertise and strong relationships with local banks. The transaction underscores QNB’s ability to deliver innovative financial solutions that support Qatar’s flagship companies in achieving sustainable growth and global competitiveness.The ACT Middle East Treasury Awards recognise outstanding achievements in corporate treasury across the region, celebrating excellence in financial management. The accolade highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to the highest standards of financial management and the strategic role of the airline in strengthening Qatar’s economic resilience.Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to receive the ACT Middle East Treasury award for our landmark capital raising agreement with local banks led by QNB for QR4.5bn. The landmark financing deal, achieved with the leadership of QNB and the support of our local banks, reflects the strength of our partnership and commitment to financial excellence and is fully in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. It is not only an achievement for the airline, but also a testament to Qatar’s world-class banking sector.”QNB Group Chief Executive Officer, Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, said: “We are proud to have supported Qatar Airways in this landmark transaction, which reflects the strength of Qatar’s financial sector and its ability to deliver innovative financing solutions. This achievement not only reinforces the airline’s global position but also demonstrates our commitment to advancing Qatar’s economic resilience and long-termsustainable growth in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.”Qatar Airways continues to be a leader in both aviation and finance, ensuring the airline remains well-positioned to expand its network, invest in new aircraft, and deliver the five-star service for which it is globally renowned. The national carrier also aims to stimulate greater collaboration between the aviation and the banking sector, paving the way for innovative financial structures tailored to the airline’s evolving needs while promoting national economic resilience.

The Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding participated in “The Reality and Challenges of the Arabic-Chinese Translation Movement” conference hosted by the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU).The event was part of the award’s delegation tour in China on September 16-26, which included visits to Beijing and Shanghai.The Shanghai Translation Conference brought together a distinguished group of professors, researchers, and translators from both the Chinese and Arab worlds, aiming to strengthen cultural exchange and present a comprehensive vision of the current state and future prospects of translation between Arabic and Chinese.At the opening of the conference, the director of the SISU’s Institute of Translation Studies, Prof Wang Youyong, emphasised that translation is a bridge of communication between peoples, not merely a transfer of words, but a means of conveying meanings and emotions and deepening mutual understanding.He praised the pioneering role of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding in honouring translators and opening broader horizons for cultural co-operation.He expressed his hope to strengthen partnerships between both sides to prepare a new generation of translators and deepen the roots of friendship between Chinese and Arab civilizations.Prof Wang also spoke about his belief that translation is not a mechanical process but a profound civilisational and human act, serving as a bridge linking China and the Arab world from the Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).The director-general of the Award, Dr Mohammed al-Ahmari, expressed his pleasure at the convening of the conference, affirming that translation is the most honest path to direct understanding between peoples, away from third-party mediation.He said that the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding aims to be a beacon of civilisational communication, and called for more joint efforts to promote mutual acquaintance and knowledge between China and the Arab world.The first intervention, delivered by Institute of Middle Eastern Studies director Prof Ding Jun, focused on the early arrival of Islam in China in the year 31 AH with the envoy of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him).This event was considered the beginning of a long path that later resulted in a widespread Islamic presence, now exceeding 20mn Muslims.His presentation addressed the development of translating the meanings of the Holy Qur’an into Chinese over more than three centuries, beginning in the 17th century with limited attempts to translate select verses for citation in religious texts.In the 19th century, selected translations of frequently recited chapters and verses appeared, such as the book Tafsir Khatm Al Qur’an.By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, full translation projects began, with the first complete version published in Beijing in 1927, based on a Japanese translation.This was followed by more than 14 translations, including the work of Prof Mohammed Makin at Peking University.The expansion in the 21st century significantly contributed to spreading Islamic concepts and enhancing exchange and understanding between Chinese and Arab Islamic civilisations.Professor at the College of Asian and African Studies Dr Lu Yiwei praised the award’s role in promoting cultural dialogue between China and the Arab world.She affirmed that Shanghai literature forms a distinguished civilisational bridge, rooted in Chinese culture and open to global modernity.Dr Lu pointed to the history of translating literature into Arabic in the mid-20th century, supported by prominent academic and cultural institutions in China, Egypt, and Syria.She emphasised that Shanghai literature, through its translations and reception in the Arab world, not only enhanced knowledge about China but also enriched Arabic literature in both criticism and creativity, forming a living model of cultural exchange and human rapprochement between the two civilisations.College of Asian and African Studies vice-dean Dr Chen Youyang highlighted that the Arabic Language Department at the university, one of the oldest in China, is celebrating its 65th anniversary.She said that the department has not only trained linguistic competencies but also built bridges of understanding between China and the Arab world through translating and publishing classical Arabic literature such as the works of Naguib Mahfouz, Tawfiq Al Hakim, and Khalil Gibran, as well as translating Chinese thought into Arabic through the notable efforts of a group of professors.College of Asian and African Studies assistant professor Dr Jiu Shuwen focused her presentation on the challenges that translators face when dealing with cultural symbols and imagery in Chinese texts.She also reviewed a recent research experience in employing artificial intelligence (AI) through semantic vector technology, which enables the representation of words in a mathematical space and calculates the distance between the original and the translation to measure semantic accuracy.Dr Jiu noted that AI serves as a supportive tool for translators but cannot replace the cultural and human sensitivity necessary to convey the spirit of texts and build bridges of understanding between China and the Arab world. – QNA

A delegation from the Qatari Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding, participated in an academic symposium titled "The Reality and Challenges of the Translation Movement between Arabic and Chinese" which was held on Sept 18 at Beijing Foreign Studies University.The symposium was also attended by representatives from the Qatari embassy in China, and a group of experts and academics from several Chinese universities. Research institutions, and publishing institutions participated in the symposium, including Peking University, the University of International Business and Economics, the Beijing Language and Culture University, Guangzhou University, Ningxia University, and Beijing Foreign Studies University. The participants exchanged views and ideas on issues of cultural exchange and translation between China and the Arab world.In his opening remarks, Professor Liu Xinlu, Vice President of Beijing Foreign Studies University, noted that the university's College of Arabic Language, as the main implementing agency of the Belt and Road China-Arab Friendship Library Project launched in 2016, has completed numerous translations of classic works between Chinese and Arabic. Thus, making it an important platform for promoting cultural exchange and rapprochement between peoples. He emphasized that in light of the complexities and fluctuations of today's global situation, dialogue between civilizations has become more urgent than ever, with language as a bridge and translation as a means gaining critical importance in promoting mutual understanding between different civilizations.Abdulrahman al-Marri, representative of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding, expressed his great appreciation for the importance of this symposium. He explained that the award aims to promote the values of pluralism and openness, and to support dialogue and understanding between civilizations, and has already become the most influential award in the field of translation in the Arab world.He also expressed his hope that this symposium would provide an opportunity to deepen cooperation between Chinese and Arab researchers in the fields of translation and culture, and expressed his aspiration to enhance exchange and cooperation with the Beijing Foreign Studies University.The symposium's proceedings covered two main themes: "Translation and Introduction of Chinese and Arabic Classics" and "Translation and Chinese and Arab Civilizations." The researchers discussed the history, reality, and challenges of the mutual translation of classical literary and cultural works between the two sides from various perspectives.They also addressed the role of translation in supporting educational development, intellectual convergence, and cultural progress, by discussing issues of teaching Arabic translation, Sino-Arab cultural exchange, and the role of education support funds. The symposium witnessed the participation of more than 100 Arabic language professors and students from several universities in Beijing.It is worth noting that the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding aims to consolidate the values of pluralism and openness, encourage knowledge and dialogue, promote international understanding, and advance the level of translation between Arabic and other languages. It also honours translators, cultural institutions, and publishing houses that have made outstanding contributions to promoting friendship and co-operation between the Arab peoples and the peoples of the world. Professor Xu Qingguo (Bassam) of Beijing Foreign Studies University is the first Chinese scholar to receive this award. The award committee has announced that it will again award the prize to translators working in the field of Chinese-Arabic translation in 2026.

The activities associated with the finals of the Akhlaq Award -- an international competition to revive Arabic calligraphy -- kicked off in Doha, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture.The competition is recognized as one of the leading cultural initiatives that celebrate the aesthetic and spiritual dimensions of Arabic calligraphy, while promoting its presence in both local and international cultural spheres.Running over four days, the event features a series of lectures, cultural programmes, and panel discussions, with the participation of distinguished calligraphers, artists, and academics. The opening session, moderated by visual artist Kholoud al-Kuwari, spotlighted prominent local contributions to the development of calligraphy in Qatar.Qatari writer and researcher Ibrahim Yousif Fakhro shared his 25-year journey with Arabic calligraphy, emphasizing its deep-rooted role in Islamic and Arab identity. He highlighted how the transcription of the Holy Qur'an historically elevated the art form, as early calligraphers regarded their work as a spiritual act, writing the words of God.Fakhro noted that Qatar has recently placed strong emphasis on incorporating calligraphy into modern architecture, aligning with its national vision to preserve and promote Islamic and Arab cultural heritage. He cited Barwa Street and the Qatar National Library as landmark projects that reflect this approach.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued on Monday Amiri Decision No. 27 of 2025 establishing the Qatar Award for Localisation in the Private Sector.The decision states that the award aims to foster healthy competition among private sector entities in the area of job localisation, by recognising establishments that have met nationalisation targets and contributed to realising Qatar's national vision. Additionally, it seeks to honor distinguished citizens working in the private sector, along with exceptional talents, visionary leaders, and innovative pioneers.Under the decision, a Board of Trustees will be formed within the Ministry of Labor to oversee the award's management, determine its criteria, define its categories and levels, and set the necessary procedures.The law is effective starting from its date of issue and is to be published in the official gazette.

Fifteen calligraphers from around the world are competing in the finals of the international competition for Arabic calligraphy, the 'Ethics Award', organised by the Ministry of Culture, being held from September 1-8 in Doha. The finalists, selected from among more than 250 participants, will face a sophisticated artistic challenge for prizes totaling nearly half a million Qatari riyals.This event at the Rosewood Hotel in Doha, reflects the Ministry of Culture's vision of promoting Arab and Islamic arts and highlighting the aesthetic and ethical values of Arabic calligraphy.A group of leading calligraphers and experts are to oversee the judging process, ensuring evaluation according to the highest artistic standards. The competitions are accompanied by a diverse programme that includes specialized seminars and interactive workshops, allowing attendees to explore the various international art schools in this field.This enriches Arabic calligraphers, introduces them to the most prominent trends in the local cultural scene, and opens up broader horizons for communication between creative artists. The event is to conclude with a grand ceremony held in the theatre of the new Ministry of Culture building, during which the winners will be honoured and their creations showcased to the public. This celebration reflects the status of Arabic calligraphy in the hearts of generations and emphasizes its role as one of the most important components of the cultural and artistic identity of the Arab and Islamic nation.