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Two students in the Media Department at Qatar University (QU) completed two graduation projects aimed at serving the community and promoting awareness and positive behaviour among young people.Student Mohammed al-Marri launched the "Don't Speed, Take It Easy... We Want You Safe" campaign to reduce speeding accidents on roads, which are among the leading causes of traffic accidents that result in loss of life and property, and significantly impact families and society.The campaign focuses on spreading a culture of safe driving, emphasising that arriving late is better than risking one's life, especially among young people who represent a large segment of car users.Student Ibrahim Mohammed Saleh completed the "Camp with awareness" campaign to promote sustainable camping and environmental awareness among young people and the Qatari community by encouraging environmentally friendly practices such as litter collection, protecting natural plants, and committing to using alternative energy sources. The campaign aims to instill values of environmental responsibility and promote sustainable behaviours in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.They told Arabic daily Arrayah that these projects highlight the vital role of youth in proposing innovative solutions to societal problems and transforming academic knowledge into practical initiatives that serve the environment and road safety, contributing to building a conscious, sustainable, and safe society for all citizens and residents of Qatar.Student Ibrahim Mohammed Saleh, from the Department of Media at QU, whose project, titled “A Quality Camping to Preserve Our Qatar,” aims to spread the culture of sustainable camping and promote environmental awareness among the youth. Ibrahim said that the campaign focuses on the importance of preserving the sites after the end of camping, the sustainability of alternative energy sources, the commitment to protecting natural plants, and avoiding pollution in all its forms. 

The Gulf Health Council launched an awareness campaign on headches aimed at educating the public on common types of headaches, their causes, and methods of prevention, while emphasizing the importance of following a healthy lifestyle and the safe use of painkillers, as well as informing the community about the indicators that require consulting a doctor.The campaign seeks to enable individuals to distinguish between the most common types of headaches, such as migraine, tension headache, and headache resulting from the excessive use of painkillers, in a way that helps them choose the optimal healthy behavior to deal with pain and avoid its triggers.The campaign includes a series of awareness products and interactive media materials through the council's digital platforms, including an interactive quiz to measure individuals' knowledge and health behaviors, through which participants are provided with personalized tips based on their answers to support their ability to control headaches and improve their quality of life.The campaign also includes an awareness guide, brochures, and multimedia educational content that highlights the most common headache triggers, such as stress, lack of sleep, excessive caffeine, dehydration, prolonged screen use, and hormonal disorders.The campaign focuses on two main groups: people with migraine and those prone to tension headaches, such as students and employees in office-based professions, doctors, teachers, workers in high-stress environments, members of the Gulf community aged 18 and above, and all entities from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.The campaign also focuses on a set of core awareness messages, most notably raising health awareness about the differences between common types of headaches and their causes in order to identify the optimal treatment option; enabling individuals with knowledge about prevention methods and reducing headache-triggering factors; correcting misconceptions related to headaches and promoting a culture of consulting a doctor when needed; educating the community about healthy lifestyle habits (adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, stress management, physical activity); and raising awareness about the importance of the safe use of painkillers to avoid headaches resulting from their overuse.Studies indicate that headache is one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide, with its disorders affecting about 40 percent of the population (equivalent to 3.1 billion people globally), and it is often underestimated or self-managed without medical consultation, despite the availability of effective treatments.The council explained that headache is not merely a passing pain, but may hinder daily life, as its recurring attacks affect the professional and social performance of those affected, noting that migraine is among the most impactful diseases on quality of life globally for the age group 15-49 years.Studies have also shown that increasing caffeine consumption by 100 mg per day may raise the likelihood of developing migraine by 5 percent, while drinking water regularly and exercising contribute to reducing the frequency of attacks and improving quality of life by up to 40 percent.

The 10th edition of Qatar Sustainability Week (QSW) has concluded with a record-breaking over 700 events, activations, and initiatives, and thousands of participants joining forces to promote sustainable living and environmental awareness across the country.Organised by Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future, a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), this year’s milestone edition marked a decade of collective climate action, bringing together organisations, businesses, and individuals to promote sustainability across Qatar.Engineer Ahmed Mohammed al-Sada, Assistant Undersecretary for Climate Change Affairs at the MoECC, affirmed that QSW 2025 played a significant role in enhancing joint environmental work among various governmental and private entities and civil society institutions through events and initiatives focused on raising awareness and promoting responsible practices toward the environment.He confirmed that the MoECC will invest the outcomes of this week in supporting initiatives that contribute to reducing environmental impacts and enhancing the management of natural resources, noting that the ministry continues its commitment to providing a more sustainable environment for current and future generations.Al-Sada emphasised the ministry’s keenness to continue co-operation with various sectors in the country to ensure the expansion of environmental initiatives and the development of climate action mechanisms in line with the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, contributing to the achievement of the Qatar National Vision 2030 goals.Dr Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, executive director of Earthna, said: “Qatar Sustainability Week 2025 stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a nation unites behind a shared goal. As we mark a decade of progress, we are proud of the collective effort that continues to shape Qatar’s sustainable future and inspire positive change at every level of society.”As Earthna looks ahead to 2026, plans are already underway to expand the programme’s reach and deepen its impact across schools, communities, and the private sector.

The Ministry of Interior, through the General Directorate of Traffic, has launched a public awareness campaign in the Sealine area to promote traffic safety culture among car and motorcycle sports enthusiasts. The campaign included a visit to the Sealine Car Track and meetings with supervisors, participants and spectators to highlight safety procedures and the importance of following them. It also featured awareness activities, interactive competitions and the distribution of educational materials to help raise awareness among young people and reduce risks. **media[382254]** Lt. Col. Hadi Mohammed al-Hajri, media and communications officer at the General Directorate of Traffic, said during the campaign that the directorate is committed to the safety of visitors to the Sealine area and to promoting traffic awareness across all segments of the community. He noted that the awareness messages rely on being physically present among the target audience to ensure clarity and impact. Lt. Col. al-Hajri stressed the importance of protecting the lives of racers and motorsport enthusiasts by adhering to safety rules and requirements, adding that they should set an example for other young people. He also praised the efforts of the Qatar Traffic Safety Society and the organisers of the Sealine track, commending their co-operation in providing a safe environment that enables young people to pursue their interests within well-regulated guidelines.

The world marks World Diabetes Day on November 14 each year, with the aim of raising global awareness to combat the disease and its complications, as well as focusing on ways to prevent it and manage it after diagnosis.This year's World Diabetes Day centers around a global call for various sectors to participate in and support the "Diabetes in the Workplace” initiative.The global rise in diabetes is seen as a developmental and social challenge rather than merely an individual health crisis. International reports reveal alarming figures regarding the disease’s prevalence and the proportion of undiagnosed individuals, along with the increasing economic costs associated with it.According to the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of adults living with diabetes worldwide has surpassed 800mn, more than quadrupling since 1990. Most of them are between the ages of 20 and 79. It is estimated that about 43% of people with diabetes are unaware of their condition, putting them at risk of serious complications, even though the disease can often be managed early. Projections also indicate that nearly 81% of people with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries.Statistics show that in 2024, global diabetes-related health expenditure surpassed $1 trillion.According to international data, the geographical distribution of the disease is uneven. Low- and middle-income countries bear a greater burden in terms of the number of people affected and the proportion of untreated cases. The economic cost is also catastrophic, placing a heavy strain on the health systems of these countries. This means that diabetes is not merely a health issue but also a challenge that impacts the economies of many nations.Many specialists indicate that changing lifestyles are among the main causes of diabetes, manifested in factors such as weight gain, lack of physical activity, and changes in dietary habits. The rise in cases alongside these factors suggests that the fight against the disease is not only a medical one but also requires a comprehensive societal culture and broad scientific awareness.Regarding the efforts made annually by the Qatar Diabetes Association to support people with diabetes, Executive Director of Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) Dr Abdullah al-Hamaq told Qatar News Agency (QNA) in an exclusive statement that the Association organizes more than 50 awareness activities each year. These include workshops, seminars, early screening campaigns, and camps for children with diabetes or at risk of developing it.He added that the association provides direct support to over 3,000 patients annually through educational programmes, psychological support, and nutritional guidance, in addition to national campaigns, such as "World Diabetes Day" and "Steps Towards Health," to raise community awareness. The association also collaborates with schools, universities, and various workplaces to promote a culture of prevention and healthy management of the disease, he added.On a global scale, he noted that awareness is increasing, but diabetes complications, such as heart and kidney diseases, remain prevalent due to inadequate follow-up or delayed diagnosis.The Executive Director of Qatar Diabetes Association explained that recent scientific advances in diabetes prevention focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, engaging in regular physical activity, and following a balanced diet. As for management after diagnosis, he said that rapid developments include continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and new medications, such as SGLT2 and GLP-1 inhibitors, which improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.Dr. al-Hamaq recommends that individuals with Type 1 diabetes adhere to their insulin regimen, undergo continuous monitoring, and receive psychological support. He also advises those with Type 2 diabetes to modify their lifestyle, take oral medications or injections, and follow up regularly.He added that the proper approach to living with the disease, across different cases, lies in maintaining a balance between nutrition, physical activity, and treatment; along with essential psychological and social support, particularly for children and adolescents, in addition to ensuring regular medical checkups to adjust treatment as needed, as well as self-education about the disease and its complications.Regarding the complications that affect the organ functions of the affected person, and thus their activity and productivity, Dr. al-Hamq said that complications for the heart are represented by an increased risk of coronary heart disease, for the kidneys by the development of chronic kidney disease, for the eye by retinopathy which may lead to vision loss, for the nerves by peripheral neuropathy which affects movement and sensation, and for the skin and wounds complications are represented by slow wound healing and an increased risk of infection.The QDA executive director concluded his statements regarding global scientific and medical efforts aimed at finding a cure for diabetes, saying that so far there is no approved definitive cure that achieves a complete cure for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. However, he pointed out that there are promising research in the field of stem cells and pancreatic islet transplantation, and this may contribute to changing the future of treating the disease, noting that this is still in the experimental stage.Among the goals that specialist physicians seek to achieve are raising awareness about the impact of diabetes on society, encouraging early diagnosis, supporting those affected, raising awareness of ways to prevent diabetes or delay its onset through following a healthy diet, with the necessity of exercising physical activity, strengthening the role of the family in health education about the treatment of diabetes and the prevention of its complications, in addition to increasing awareness of the warning signs of its infection, as well as providing medicines, technologies, support, and care to all diabetic patients who need them.

From the depths of the sea to the vibrant neighbourhoods of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, United Development Company’s Qatar Sustainability Week (QSW) 2025 embodied a journey of collective action and environmental awareness, uniting residents, partners, and volunteers through impactful initiatives.This year’s edition witnessed record participation from divers, volunteers, and the wider community, surpassing last year’s engagement both in attendance and impact. The week further reinforced UDC’s position as one of Qatar’s leading advocates for sustainability, in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030, a statement said Sunday.As part of the week’s activities, UDC organised the largest seabed cleanup campaign in the region, bringing together over 250 volunteer divers from the local community, with the support of professional diving centres and environmental organisations.The initiative resulted in the recovery of 843kg of recyclable marine waste. The impact of this campaign has been evident since its launch in 2019, as the significant decline in collected waste volumes compared to previous years reflects its lasting effectiveness and positive contribution to marine conservation.**media[379719]**In parallel, UDC’s Plastic Recycling Initiative achieved notable progress by collecting 1,500kg of recyclable plastic materials, reinforcing the principles of a circular economy within UDC’s communities and supporting Qatar’s national efforts to reduce plastic pollution.The blood donation campaign organised in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation was one of the week’s standout initiatives, attracting a large turnout of residents and visitors and doubling the number of donors compared to last year.In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, awareness campaigns held at Gewan Island encouraged positive environmental behaviours and promoted sustainable practices in daily life.Concluding this year’s QSW, UDC reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to leading sustainable urban development in Qatar and continuing to expand its environmental and community initiatives, the statement added.

Floward, the go-to online flowers and gifts delivery destination in MENA and UK, has concluded its annual Pink October campaign in Qatar in collaboration with the Qatar Cancer Society, reaffirming its dedication to supporting breast cancer awareness, education, and patient care.As part of this year’s initiative, 10% of sales from Floward’s exclusive Pink October collection will be donated to the Qatar Cancer Society to support their ongoing programs and awareness campaigns.Beyond donations, Floward organized a series of offline activations across Doha aimed at spreading awareness and showing solidarity with patients, survivors, and their families. In collaboration with Alshareef Holding at Abraj Bay, Floward hosted a flower arrangement workshop for tenants, adorning the venue with elegant floral table arrangements and a flower backdrop to symbolize hope and unity.Floward also joined the Qatar Cancer Society’s main awareness session, where the team distributed single flowers to attendees as a gesture of compassion and encouragement, and later participated in the Relay for Life event with a striking flower installation that celebrated strength and resilience.**media[376849]**In partnership with United Development Company (UDC) and The Pearl International Hospital, Floward supported an awareness session by decorating the space with flower arrangements, creating a ribbon-shaped installation made of flowers, and distributing single flowers to attendees. Additionally, the team took part in a university awareness session at the College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, where flowers were shared with students and faculty in support of the cause.Floward also held internal awareness seminars for its employees, led by healthcare professionals, focusing on the importance of early detection, self-examination, and health education, reinforcing the company’s belief that awareness begins within.Through this year’s Pink October campaign, Floward continues to transform thoughtfulness into meaningful action, standing beside patients, survivors, and organizations leading the fight against breast cancer in Qatar and beyond.Established in 2017, Floward is a full-fledged e-commerce solution that offers prime fresh-cut flowers sourced from the best growers and farmers around the world and arranged locally by a team of florists and designers. Floward also offers cakes, chocolate and perfumes curated by the region’s most exciting designers bundled with its flower arrangements and manages last-mile same-day delivery to ensure the best customer experience.

The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation - Kahramaa has successfully concluded the 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign, marking the end of month-long initiative filled with educational and interactive activities. The campaign saw record participation from Kahramaa employees and played a vital role in fostering a culture of digital protection and embedding cybersecurity principles into the foundation of a sustainable digital work environment. Throughout the campaign, Kahramaa organised a series of educational workshops attended by over 1,005 employees. These workshops addressed critical topics including the safe use of AI technologies, data classification, database security, and securing digital presence. In addition, 773 employees participated in knowledge-based quizzes, while 398 engaged in interactive games, each contributing to a deeper understanding of modern cybersecurity concepts. A key highlight of the campaign was the phishing awareness initiative, which drew participation from 2,812 employees and resulted in 2,793 accurate reports. These figures reflect a high level of awareness and precision in identifying cyber threats. Overall, the campaign engaged 4,988 employees, underscoring Kahramaa’s growing commitment to cybersecurity excellence. Kahramaa hosted a closing ceremony at the KM2 headquarters. Abdulla bin Ali al-Theyab, president of the Corporation, attended the ceremony, which featured the distribution of appreciation certificates, awards for outstanding participants, and a showcase of the campaign’s key achievements — honouring the dedication and contributions of Kahramaa’s workforce. Turkih Trad al-Hothal, head of Information Security & Risk Management at Kahramaa remarked, “The campaign witnessed a noticeable improvement in security awareness and the spread of cybersecurity culture among Kahramaa employees.” She further emphasised that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that demands continuous collaboration and vigilance, and that employee engagement was instrumental in achieving the campaign’s objectives.

In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance Company (QGIRCO) hosted a session for its employees.Organised by Qatar Cancer Society, the event featured an online presentation led by health educator Nour Makki. The session was designed to inform employees about the importance of early detection, preventive measures, and the latest advancements in breast cancer treatment. QGIRCO Group CEO Aimen Azara, expressed his pride in the awareness session.“Working in the insurance sector gives us a vantage point on the real impact of breast cancer, both personal and systemic. Through this session, we aim to not only enlighten but also foster a sense of solidarity and empowerment within our community.”The event was part of QGIRCO's Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, focused on enhancing its employees’ health and well-being, a statement added.

The Gulf Health Council has underscored the pivotal role of parents as the cornerstone in building health awareness among children and adolescents, stressing that eating habits and physical activity begin at home, where parents serve as key role models in preventing obesity and fostering self-confidence and a positive outlook.As part of its #Wazenha awareness campaign, the Council highlighted that prevention begins with family behavior by encouraging children to follow a balanced and varied diet, establishing regular meal and sleep schedules, reducing prolonged screen time, and incorporating physical activity into the family's daily routine.The Council noted that obesity may manifest through early, easily noticeable signs such as abnormal weight gain, fatigue during exertion, or joint pain, emphasizing that early family intervention helps reduce long-term health complications.It also stressed the importance of addressing the psychological aspects of childhood and adolescence, warning that obesity or negative remarks about physical appearance can lead to low self-esteem, emotional eating, or social withdrawal.The Gulf Health Council further pointed out that the messages children receive from their parents and communities regarding body image and appearance significantly influence their future self-perception. It called for adopting positive and encouraging communication about food, health, and body image, while avoiding criticism or comparison, and promoting values of natural beauty as well as psychological and physical balance.The Council concluded by reaffirming that family awareness forms the foundation for building a generation that enjoys balanced physical and psychological well-being. It urged parents to review the guidelines and educational materials available on the "Your Health Guide" platform as part of the #Wazenha campaign.

Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) announced the launch of an awareness campaign for the fourth season of the Gulf Smart Investor Award that was recently launched by the Gulf Investment Awareness Program (Mulim), which runs from September 2025 to the end of February 2026. The Investment Awareness Program "Mulim" is a Gulf awareness initiative that aims to raise awareness of financial and investment culture and produce content that enriches the culture of financial transactions in the GCC communities. The program was first launched in its first season, in 2020, by the capital markets regulators in the GCC. Since then, QFMA has been contributing to the success of the program in all its phases, with the aim of raising awareness among investors in Qatar and the GCC, spreading awareness of the basics of investing in the capital markets, fraud and risk methods, ensuring the need to adopt strategies that help mitigate such risks, and introducing the regulations and legislation that govern transactions in the financial markets, which eventually raise the standards of efficiency in these markets. The Gulf Smart Investor Award aims to enable competition among creative university students, school students, or talented individuals from citizens and residents of the GCC through four tracks, namely video, drawing, photography, and writing, to select 44 winners, 11 winners on each track, in order to spread investment culture, raise awareness of the importance of saving and investment, how to avoid financial fraud, and raise the level of financial awareness among community members to enhance their ability to plan and enabling them to have the elements to make the right financial decisions that achieve financial stability and enhance their ability to achieve their financial goals. The award also seeks to raise the level of financial literacy by acquiring the necessary skills that help in using financial resources in the most effective and efficient manner. The GCC Smart Investor Award allows participants to submit their entries under three main categories, including financial planning, savings, and investment. Following the end of the stage of receiving entries in the various tracks of the award, the work of the judging committees will start in March 2025, with the winners to be approved by April 2025, and then the final ceremony to honor the winners will be held in May 2026. The award targets citizens and residents of the GCC countries, with prizes exceeding QR 1.5 million. Head of Communication Section at Public Relations and Communication Department at QFMA Maryam Al Heidous said that the "Gulf Smart Investor Award", which is witnessing its fourth consecutive season, has gained great importance from all GCC capital markets authorities, explaining that QFMA actively participates every year in promoting the award in Qatar, and encouraging various segments of the local community, especially university and school students, to actively participate in all tracks and categories of the award. Al Heidous pointed out that the QFMA's interest in the success of the Gulf Smart Investor Award in all its seasons stems from its mission aimed at enhancing financial literacy among various segments of society, developing the level of financial skill and knowledge among investors, protecting them and enabling them to make the right investment decision at the right place and time, in a way that contributes to encouraging and developing investment in a safe financial market and an attractive investment environment, which plays a major role in supporting the growth and diversity of the national economy. Al Heidous explained that the topics covered by the award deal with saving, financial planning, sound financial habits, sound spending, saving, financial terms, expense, wastefulness and extravagance, money and currencies, investment, financial fraud, protecting funds and investments, and money box. Al Heidous called on talented citizens and residents of Qatar to actively participate in the award, in order to showcase their ideas and innovations, and make them available to those who wish to benefit, develop their capabilities, and enhance their financial knowledge. Al Heidous confirmed that there is a special judging committee, comprised of experts from various GCC countries with expertise in the award's tracks, which will supervise, evaluate and sort the entries and select the winners. Those wishing to participate in the award and to view its conditions and the participation mechanism, can visit the website (mulimgcc.org) program.

The National Cyber Security Agency announced Wednesday the launch of Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025, observed every October, under the theme "Secure Your World, Protect Your Future." The campaign will be rolled out across the agency's social media platforms in partnership with the Government Communications Office, alongside outdoor advertisements in high-traffic public areas such as Msheireb, Doha Corniche, and major commercial malls including Place Vendome Mall, Doha Festival City, and others. Throughout the month, the National Cyber Security Agency aims to engage all segments of society: the elderly, young people, and children—by addressing key topics such as the importance of cybersecurity, phishing and electronic fraud, and others. A highlight of the campaign will be the agency's mobile pavilion, offering families and children interactive educational activities and awareness games every weekend at selected malls, including Place Vendome, Mall of Qatar, and Doha Festival City. In addition, the agency will organize a series of awareness workshops, as well as dedicated sessions targeting the Asian Village, with the aim of strengthening cybersecurity awareness among the workforce. This campaign underscores the agency's commitment to fostering a culture of digital safety by raising awareness of cyber threats, promoting best practices for prevention, and contributing to a safer cyber environment for all members of society.