Yousuf Jassem Al-Darwish
Sindhu Nair SABRINA CHRISTENSEN abigail Mathias ayswarya murthy
Venkat Reddy M Hanan Abu Saiam
Sandeep Sehgal Alpana Roy Ravi Raman
Pratap Chandran Bikram Shrestha Arjun Timilsina Bhimal Rai
Ayush Indrajith maheshwar reddy b
Zulfikar Jiffry thomas Jose
Hassan rekkab LYDIA YOUSSEF KANWAL BALUCH
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2013 September is the month of action. Back to college and to work after a month or more of hiatus, this is the time when you are thrown into the midst of things. Campus goes with the flow and puts you right where the action is.
Campus grills you about your digital mania and tells you when it’s time to digitox, speaks to Al Fikra winners, talks to high-fliers and finds out that learning can be fun too‌
Address all correspondence to CAMPUS, Oryx Advertising Co. WLL, P.O. Box 3272 Doha-Qatar. Tel: (+974) 44672139, 44550983, 44671173, 44667584. Fax: (+974) 44550982; Email: campus@omsqatar.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for advertising contents. Licensing/Republishing CAMPUS content: To obtain permission for text syndication in books, newsletters, magazines, newspapers and web or to use images/pictures carried in CAMPUS, please contact our syndication and licensing department on the numbers given above. Permission is also required to photocopy a CAMPUS article for classroom use, course packs, business or general use. Custom reprints: Any previously published article/s to be used as stand-alone pieces can be reprinted by us on special request. The reprint cost is based on the length of the article and the quantity ordered. Contact our custom publishing division on the numbers given above for more information.Previous issues (January 2004 onwards) of CAMPUS are available for sale, contact our library department. To subscribe to CAMPUS call our subscription department on the numbers given above.
Published by Oryx Advertising Co. WLL, P.O. Box 3272 Doha-Qatar. Tel: (+974) 44672139, 44550983, 44671173, 44667584. Fax: (+974) 44550982. Email: campus@omsqatar.com website: www.omsqatar.com
52
Design at heart
Rabih Ghandour, CEO of wamli.com, shares his story.
36 Work and play in NYC issue 19 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2013
Asmaa Fikree, third year Georgetown student, talks about her three-week internship at The Economist Group in NYC.
14
What is your addiction? A recent survey shows how much the Internet has really taken over our lives
20
ChloĂŤ Moretz No ordinary teen star
Street Art
CAMPUS catches up with the two winners from Qatar chosen to travel to the UK to experience the thriving public art scene.
38
Broadened horizons
CAMPUS speaks to two Qatari students on life after choosing to study abroad
28
Commitment without compromise Vodafone’s new CEO gives CAMPUS readers a pep-talk
41
30
Prep for the workplace Bayt.com shares five helpful tips to implement your education in the workplace
24
Al Fikra The winners share their dreams of entrepreneurship
CAMPUS NEWS
Developing technology for the blind
E
ight students from Carnegie Mellon University are spending the summer in Bangalore after being selected to join the iSTEP internship. The 2013 team at the Innovative Student Technology ExPerience program is working on projects that supports students who are learning Braille at the Mathru School for the Blind. Blind students are learning to write braille through different games and exercise using a slate and stylus. The device provides instant audio feedback based on the user’s input and also corrects mistakes. The interns are working on enhancing existing modes on the Braille Writing
Tutor (BWT) software by introducing Kannada (local language) and Hindi Braille, in addition to Maths. In addition to software development, the students have been working with the Trust to conduct interviews, user experience tests, and analyzing data to fully understand the technology’s impact. “Interacting directly with the staff and students at Mathru has helped me better learn and understand various perspectives. Everyone here has a unique life story to tell, which makes my work even more interesting,” said Aveed Sheikh, one of the interns.
Rockstars in Doha
I
n his first solo exhibition in Qatar, Hassan Hajjaj celebrates unsung heros and his personal inpirations through traditional African portraiture. The series of photographs titled My Rock Stars: Volume 1, created using a pop-up studio erected on the streets of Morocco, London, Paris and Kuwait, are simultaneously an haute-couture street experiment and a revival of African photography from the 1960s and 70s. Hajjaj’s subjects range from musicians, fashion designers, dancers to singers, capoeira masters, and boxers - all of whom are immortalized in a fleeting moment in time, sealing their muse-like qualities forever. Where: The Gallery, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar When: September 4 - October 24
6
issue 19
2013
Many nationalities
converge at iEARN atar became the first country in the Gulf to host the iEARN summit since the conference began in 1994. The five-day 20th Annual International Education and Resource Network International Conference and 17th Youth Summit, organized by Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), around 700 teachers, students and specialists in information technology came from more than 50 countries, to share and learn how technology is being used in the classrooms. From panels on social media tools and the role of films in education, to inspiring talks from world renowned speakers like Mohammed Ally and Dr Essam Heggy, the students got to participate in several workshops and seminars.There were sessions on how to build an iEARN project for cell phones and tablets and iEARN’s web based project – ‘MY HERO’ – that offered an archive of thousands of stories of people from all walks of life who have positively impacted communities. There were fun activities too with cultural tours to the Museum of Islamic Art, Safari at the Inland sea, a visit to Souq Waqif and a four-hour Cultural Night where the visiting students showcased their traditions and culture. All main activities were live streamed, and more than 2000 people watched the conference online.
8
issue 19
2013
spotlight
caught in the
How connected are you? How do you live with technology? And how do you live without it? Campus goes hunting to find out how technology affects student lives.
10
issue 19
2013
Al-Johara Al-Thani Art History, VCU-Q
Mahmoud Masoud Graphic Design, VCU-Q
Hisham Dawoud Fashion Design, VCU-Q
Dana Barghouti Interior Design, VCU-Q
Ahmed Al-Kuwari, ABP
Coco Clark IPOL Security, GU-Qatar
Ibrahim Al-Rajhi Economics, GU-Qatar
Prince George Abraham Information Systems, CMUQ
1
Which phone are you using? When did you last upgrade your phone? Al-Johara: iPhone and Blackberry, four years ago. Mahmoud: Samsung in January. Hisham: iPhone 5 in March. Dana: iPhone 5 in May. Ahmed: iPhone 5, six months ago. Coco: Samsung, two months ago. Ibrahim: iPhone 5 and Blackberry, one week ago. Prince: Google Nexus 4, eight months ago.
2013
issue 19
11
2
What is the longest you can go without checking your phone?
Al-Johara Al-Thani
Al-Johara: one week. Mahmoud: one day. Hisham: two hours. Dana: 12 hours. Ahmed: five minutes. Coco: four hours. Ibrahim: 30 minutes. Prince: 10-15 minutes. Mahmoud Masoud
12
issue 19
2013
3
Hisham Dawoud
What do you usE your phone for the most? Al-Johara: Social media, WhatsApp and texting. Mahmoud: WhatsApp, Instagram and Subway Surfers. Hisham: Social media and games. Dana: Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Dana Barghouti
Ahmed: Social media and WhatsApp. Coco: Emails. Ibrahim: Calls, chatting and emails. Prince: Evernote, calender, email, games and camera.
2013
issue 19
13
4
technology helping you connect better with loved ones or increasing distances?
Ahmed Al-Kuwari
Al-Johara: I stay in contact more. However, it is decreasing verbal communication with friends if not with my family. Mahmoud: I feel it is increasing the distances. You don’t see as much of your family because this becomes an easy, alternate way of communication.
Hisham: Definitely helps, especially with the all-nighters. Dana: I think it is increasing the distance. People nowadays always text and call. Everyone should move and connect with people; not through phones but in person.
Ahmed: Yes, I feel it helps connect us better. If we are out of the country we can still stay in touch with our family, making us feel close to them.
Coco: It helps me connect with my family as I am many miles from home.
Ibrahim: Yes, in a way, but it mostly connects people from behind the screens while I prefer to interact in person.
Prince: Definitely helping me connect better. Any information you need is readily available at your fingertips.
14
issue 19
2013
Coco Clark
5
Ibrahim Al-Rajhi
is occasionally unpluGging from the digital world necessary? IS IT possible? Al-Johara: No, because I don’t feel I am heavily reliant on them. Mahmoud: It has definitely become an indispensable part of my life. Communication via technology is so important nowadays. Hisham: I have to unplug from it every day, otherwise it would almost become an addiction. Dana: Unplug, definitely. People should also appreciate natural life instead of living in the virtual world all the time. Ahmed: No, for me it’s very important to keep myself in the digital world.
Coco: Yes, breaks are important. We should be able to enjoy the simple moments in life. Ibrahim: Sometimes, to relax and breathe a little. However, I have to turn it on again at the end of the day. Prince George Abraham
Prince: Yes, sometimes you get too caught up. Would be nice to disconnect once in a while.
2013
issue 19
15
What is your
Addiction For many of us the Internet is the primary source of entertainment and news, as well as a key means for communicating with friends and family, according to a recent survey by Northwestern University in Qatar.
T
he findings, part of an eight-nation study into media use in the Middle East, reflected the diversity of the region, with different countries as well as different age groups, demonstrating their own media behaviors and attitudes. Nonetheless, some common factors were identified by the research. This included the importance of satellite television – with Al Jazeera being the most popular source for news and public affairs across the region – as well as the near ubiquitous nature of Facebook
16
issue 19
2013
amongst social network users. Internet usage however varies widely across the region – only 22% of respondents in Egypt were online, compared to 91% in UAE. Across the Middle East, T V is watched by almost everyone, although usage is lowest in Qatar where Internet use is at a similar level. Typically most countries see a much greater differentiation between these two platforms. Given the popularity of the Internet as a media source in Qatar, it is perhaps not surprising that some online behaviors in Qatar are different from other GCC and Middle East
MEDIA SOURCES USED WATCH TV
USE THE INTERNET
LISTEN TO RADIO
READ NEWSPAPERS
READ MAGAZINES
READ BOOKS
% USE MEDIUM
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100% 98
AVERAGE
66 60 54 32 34 90
QATAR
86 64 62 34 50 99
BAHRAIN
82 84 87 68 66
EGYPT
98 22 24 25 3 7
JORDAN
100 46 48 37 10 14 99 82 KSA
61 59 36 35
So, what are we doing when we are online? It probably comes as no surprise that whilst news, gaming, email and learning activities are all part of our online media mix, the most prevalent online activity tends to be social networking.
countries. One area where this differentiation is most pronounced lies in attitudes towards different media platforms as a source of entertainment. For young people in Qatar, for example, the web – along with “inter-personal sources” (i.e. friends and family) – is a much more important medium for entertainment than traditional media outlets such as T V, newspapers or radio. In other countries such as KSA, Bahrain and Egypt, respondents of all ages rated the importance of television much more highly as a source of entertainment. This finding is particularly striking when one considers the on-going popularity of television. Across the region it remains the media source we typically consume the most. The average Qatari, for example, consumes nearly 20 hours of T V a week – equivalent to 2 hours and 45 minutes a day. (Although they also spend a similar length of time each day online.) Even amongst Westerners – the group in Qatar which watches the least T V – it is still the most popular media platform, with viewing clocking in at just short of 15 hours a week. T hat’s quite a few episodes of Game of Thrones! Overall media consumption levels actually appear to be relatively similar across these four population groups in Qatar; we just split our media time up in different ways. Westerners, for example, make up for their lower levels of T V consumption by spending more time reading newspapers, magazines and books than other population groups do. Nevertheless, whichever way you look at it, add up the total hours spent across differ-
ent media platforms and it is clear that media consumption occupies a substantial amount of our time each week. Some of this activity is necessary for work or educational purposes, but the majority of media activity is not typically related to the day job (although we may consume some of it whilst there). Part of the reason for such high levels of non-work Internet usage can be traced back to the simultaneous growth of smartphones and social networks. Users are no longer tied to the office or home PC as the only means to get online, we can now update our Facebook
99
IMPORTANCE OF different MEDIUMs FOR ENTERTAINMENT BY AGE
LEBANON
58 51 34 31 29
Percentage of respondents who consider each medium important and very important
TUNISIA
98
QATAR
60
18-24
70
THE INTERNET
30 99 91 UAE
80 80 40
BAHRAIN 18-24
45+
EGYPT 18-24
45+
JORDAN 18-24
45+
KSA 18-24
45+
LEBANON TUNISIA 18-24
45+
18-24
45+
UAE 18-24
45+
TELEVISION 65 59 87 86 89 78 93 95 95 94 90 91 73 78 89 91
50 24
52
45+
80 55 96 71 33 9 81 37 89 51 90 54 78 20 92 76
NEWSPAPER 28 29 60 64 12 19 48 52 53 59 27 40 16 27 42 61 RADIO 32 32 57 56 14 15 48 53 51 67 50 52 32 44 54 56 INTER-PERSONAL 82 69 88 81 67 57 87 84 81 74 82 77 71 75 85 86 SOURCES
2013
issue 19
17
TIME SPENT WITH MEDIA QATAR TIME SPENT WITH EACH SOURCE PER WEEK WATCH TV
LISTEN TO RADIO
READ NEWSPAPERS
READ MAGAZINES
READ BOOKS
INTERNET USAGE THROUGH WIRELESS HANDHELD DEVICES
USE OF WIRELESS HANDHELD DEVICES - QATAR
91 %
90 % 88 %
91 %
QATARI NATIONALS
ARAB EXPATS
ASIAN EXPATS
WESTERNERS
24.1
23
23.5
24.8
AVERAGE HOURS PER WEEK
MEAN HOURS
5
WESTERNERS
ASIAN EXPATS
ARAB EXPATS
QATARI NATIONALS
0
10
15
20
25
19.4 11.8 7.4 7.8 9.3
60 %
77 %
80 %
85 %
QATARI NATIONALS
ARAB EXPATS
ASIAN EXPATS
WESTERNERS
3.9
3.2
2.9
2.8
16.7 11.6
USE OF social networking sites qatar
AVERAGE HOURS PER WEEK
6.5 7.2
social networking sites used - qatar (FIGURES IN PERCENTAGES)
8.6 17.9
11.8
100%
GOOGLE+
95
MYSPACE
94
FLICKER
90
7.3 80%
9.2
65 65
9.2
60%
49
48
14.8 40%
11.4 9.6
20%
11.5 10.4
0%
status on the move, or read our emails in the bath (should you so desire). Moreover, tablets with their larger screens, and smartphones like the Galaxy Note, have also reduced the gap between the wireless and PC user experience. Their portability means that we can use them whilst out and about, or whilst doing something else (like cooking or watching T V). Such is their convenience that we now spend about 24 hours a week online through handheld devices. We would not have been saying that ten years ago when the iPhone, iPad and a number of other devices hadn’t yet hit the market. So, what are we doing when we are online? It probably comes as no surprise that whilst news, gaming, email and learning activity are all a part of our online media mix, the most prevalent online activity tends to be social networking.
18
USAGE PATTERN ON SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES
issue 19
2013
27 9
2
1
QATARI NATIONALS
3
24
13
12 7
5
2
ARAB EXPATS
Three-fourths (76%) of all Internet users in Qatar use social networking sites, although there is a difference between usage amongst Westerners (85% of Internet users) and Qatari nationals (67%). The continued popularity (and opportunity) of face to face contact with friends and family perhaps being a key reason for this difference. The reliance of Qataris on social networks reveal two things:The first is the relative popularity of Twitter and Instagram with Qatari nationals, and the relative unpopularity of Facebook with them when compared with other population groups. The second noteworthy trait is that Qataris who are on social networks, are heavy users, averaging nearly four hours a day, considerably more than any other demographic. As connectivity improves – both at home and on the move – it will be interesting to see
1
5
5
11 1
ASIAN EXPATS
1
8
6
5
1
WESTERNERS
how media usage and consumption continues to change and evolve. In particular, 4G mobile and fiber based broadband may offer new services which capture the imagination and create new behaviors. Gaming, which is already popular in the region – with 27% playing games on a daily basis – is one area which can potentially be transformed. Another is watching videos online. Again this is already a popular pastime (23% of online users in the Middle East download or watch videos every day,) but it is an area where consumption is expected to keep growing. The ability to watch and download high resolution content on the move will only get easier. So we can expect more people will take advantage of this opportunity. Just try not to do it whilst you’re whizzing round Oryx roundabout!
EXPERT TALK
By rya Ayswa hy Murt
Mounir Ouanaimi, Director at the new Translation and Interpretation Institute, talks about how their students will go on to play a subtle but pivotal role in bringing Qatar to the world.
Finding the right words Every
language holds the key to the collective knowledge and experiences of human civilizations through the course of history. With every language that dies – silent and unmourned –we are losing a valuable piece of the grand human puzzle. Ouanaimi says,“Advanced scientific and technological progress of the level we have achieved today wouldn’t have been possible without the sharing of knowledge through translation. Arab thought and civilization was significantly enhanced
20
issue 19
2013
by the process of importing knowledge from other civilizations. In turn, through the translation of chef-d’oeuvres of major Arab thinkers, a more enhanced knowledge was imparted with the world. Today, even with English gaining a lot of territory, it is obvious that other languages are not receding but are in fact on the rise and the intersections of these languages are becoming increasingly significant. As languages expand, they don’t annul each other necessarily, they mostly co-exist making the translation and interpreting enterprise even more important.”
The bigger picture The first batch of MATS (Master in Translation Studies) students at the institute is yet to graduate (classes only started in September last year)
but T II, as an idea, had been in the pipeline for a while. “With a strong and visionary mandate from HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, our executive director, Dr. Amal Al-Malki,conceptualized and implemented the elements of a leading institution in translation and interpreting with the ability to make significant contributions to Qatar’s transition to the knowledge-based economy.” Translators will help tell the story of Qatar and the Arab and Muslim worldsand make important contributions to human knowledge. Ouanaimi also points out the amazing international role that Qatar is playing, primarily in conflict resolution. “Establishing mediation as a cornerstone of its foreign policy, Qatar has provided a platform for dialogue and conflict resolution and has been impressively successful at that. Invariably, translators play a key role in these forums,” says Ouanaimi, elaborating on how institutes like T II will be germane to the future of Qatar’s aspirations.
Leading in academics, research and service The institute, as new as it is, is already establishing itself internationally. T II has signed various memoranda of understanding, notably with Paris-3 Sorbonne Nouvelle’s ESIT (L’École Supérieure d’Interprètes et de Traducteurs) and FT I (Faculty of Translation and Interpreting) of University of Geneva to ensure that T II programs meet the highest quality standards and comply with best practices in teaching and research while offering T II students the best possible academic and exchange opportunities. In addition to the two-year master’s degree programs in Translation and interpreting, T II also includes a Language Center which provides expert training in Arabic, French and Spanish with English and Mandarin Chinese to be added soon. T II’s Professional Services center also provides businesses with expert translation and interpreting services. Ouanaimi says that T II students are already working as interns at the Professional Services department and will be ready to engage the professional world at T II and beyond. “This links back to Hamad Bin Khalifa University as a research institution where teaching and research inform each other and have an immediate impact and application in the real world,” he says. Next on the institute’s To-Do list is the introduction of three more MA programs in the next two years; MA in Conference Interpreting, MA in Audiovisual Translation and MA in Sign Language Interpreting. Also, the Language Center might expand to teach languages like Urdu, Hindi, etc if the market demands it, Ouanaimi says. The instruction here follows common frameworks in place across the globe and the institute will encourage and even sponsor its students to take standardized language tests. “This will help us establish a proper measure of quality of our courses and will help certify our students so that their knowledge is validated by external organizations,” he says. Another exciting feature at the Language Center is the immersion Program. “We realize that the optimal conditions for language learning are created in the target community where the language is actually spoken. Learning a language outside this context is at best, artificial,” he says, “Which is why, after a three-week summer intensive course here at the institute, we coordinated a study-abroad program for two weeks. We have already sent a batch of students to Granada in Spain
Hamad bin Khalifa University’s Translation and Interpreting Institute has also been hosting an annual Translation Conference for the past two years in partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing. The conference aims to create a regional and international platform for research, reflection and discussion in matters related to translation and interpreting. The conference features keynote addresses, panels, workshops, and author conversations. Led by experienced professionals and educators, workshops include specializations in audiovisual, media, poetry and literary translation. This year’s conference was held in April in Hamad bin Khalifa University’s Student Center and hosted panelists from leading universities such as the University of Salamanca, Spain, University of Texas at Austin in the United States, Concordia University in Canada, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Amsterdam, American University of Sharjah, and United Arab Emirates University. ”Our aim is to re-center, reconnect, and expand the field of translation beyond its traditional borders ,“ says Ouanaimi. T II organizes events all year long most of which are open to the public. T II also hosts distinguished public talks featuring international and regional speakers, author’s conversations on local and regional book releases, and technical and theoretical workshops
and Tours in France and the results have been really good,” he beams.
An appetite for translation and interpreting The current crop of students in their MA program is an eclectic mix. “We have about 17 students many of whom are already functioning in the industry. In fact we have prominent and high-profile interpreters from Al Jazeera who are learning side by side with fresh graduates, which provides an interesting dynamic.The class is also balanced in terms of gender ratio, with many students hailing from a strong liberal arts backgroundin language and cultural studies, communication, journalism, political science, etc. he points out. Prima facie, the prerequisites seem quite straightforward – mastery in English and another T II working language (mostly Arabic) in addition to other academic requirements. But it’s some of the more inherent qualities that turn out to be most important in the end. Many of those can’t be taught in the classroom. Ouanami says, “We look for people who are able to think critically, are sensitive to different cultures and are passionate about making a contribution. And most of all, a good translator / interpreter must have a command in a broad spectrum of knowledge areas; because one day he might be the voice of the president of the country, an economist another day and maybe an internet mogul the next.” That is why, he says, technology can aid but never replace women and men in this field, no matter how advanced a translation software solution may be. “Because without the human element, the interpretation might not be in context to what is being said.Translation is not always literal –it’s cultural, it’s artistic, it’s impressionistic...”
2013
issue 19
21
22
issue 19
2013
FASHIONISTA
Chloë Grace Moretz Teen megastar in the making by a Sabrin sen en Christ
C
hloë Moretz is no ordinary 16-yearold. She made her big-screen debut at the young age of six and has since appeared in more than 20 movies as well as guest-starred on a few high profile T V shows.
Challenging roles The Georgia native has been driven to pursue acting ever since one of her older brothers Trevor was accepted at the Professional Performing Arts School in New York. She would help him read lines and slowly started auditioning for parts. She first gained recognition in her second big-screen acting role, the 2005 remake The Amityville Horror. When it was released she was not allowed to watch it as she was too young. The actress has made a career of playing an adult in a child’s body, like Rachel from (500) Days of Summer, who subs as her much older
brother’s psychiatrist and spiritual advisor. Or the gun-toting, -bomb-slinging Hit Girl in Kick-Ass. Or the deadpanning, bloodsucking monster, Abby, in Let Me In. Or Isabelle, the mysterious object of the lead’s affection in Martin Scorcese’s Hugo. These parts aren’t the trivial kid sister roles that adolescent actresses are often relegated to. The movie that propelled her career into teen megastar was Kick-Ass. She was only 11 when she filmed it - and now, at 16, she returns to headline the franchise’s sequel, KickAss 2. Moretz plays the foul-mouthed gunslinger Mindy Macready, and as she has grown older, realized why many people were so shocked. “I look back at that movie,” says Mortez, “and I think, Wow, I see why it’s so inappropriate,” she says laughing. Moretz’s latest movie, due out conveniently just before Halloween, is the remake of the 1976 horror classic Carrie, originally based on
a Stephen King novel. Moretz plays a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother, who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom. Moretz had to fight hard for the role and she says, “I love showing people I can do something that they might think I will never be able to do. Playing someone who’s happy-go-lucky and has a good life and a nice family-it’s boring for me because that’s my life. I have a good family. My mom loves me. I like being challenged; playing characters that are a little messed up.”
Education is important Despite her super-packed life, education is still a priority for Moretz, who’s homeschooled. “It’s really important to me,” she says. “I want to be able to say, ‘I’m not just an actress.’ I need to be able to say, ‘I can quit this business and go live my own life and be who-
2013
issue 19
23
ever I want to be.’ Going to college will help prevent me from being restrained or put into a box.” Columbia University is her dream, she admits, but she’s trying not to worry too much about it. “A lot of my friends are juniors, but they’re already like, ‘What am I going to do-am I going to be a doctor, a lawyer, or an accountant?’ “ she says. “I’m the one who has to say to them, ‘Just calm down and breathe.’” When asked what she would like to study, she says, “I want to do a minor in Art History and major in Criminal Psychology. I find criminal psychology incredibly fascinating and scary how volatile the human mind can be. And I really love classical art. I’ve been to so many amazing places in Paris and London, and I’ve seen some beautiful pieces. Right now I’m in love with Degas. Just his little pencil sketches of the ballerinas.. They’re stunning.”
Not just high-end Fashion Moretz, from a very young age, has shown great interest in the world of fashion and she often sports a distinctive style. Moretz has caught the eye of major fashion firms and magazines. She has starred in numerous photo shoots, including editorials, features and covers, for major magazines such as Flaunt, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Jalouse, Marie Claire, Interview, Elle, Love Magazine, InStyle and many others. She is frequently invited to the best fashion parties and seated front row at fashion week. She doesn’t fancy herself a high-fashion girl though - at least not entirely. Her strategy is to “mix high fashion with high-street fashion. Like, I’ll put a McQueen jacket with a nice Topshop t-shirt. That’s more approachable than, “here comes Chloë in her runway look,” she says. She adds, “my mom doesn’t really let me buy a lot of high fashion stuff.” On a day-to-day basis, Chloë prefers a low-key style. “Cashmere sweaters, jeans, nothing crazy. I want to be comfortable,” she says. “I’m just as much as a tomboy as I am a princess. I mean, I love getting dressed up and I love looking pretty and I love doing makeup and hair and all that fun stuff, but I grew up with four older brothers so that means playing football and basketball and not being a girly girl because I want to be able to have fun with them. I like adventures.” When it comes to the red carpet, though, Chloë likes to turn up the drama just a touch.
24
issue 19
2013
“Oh, McQueen. I love McQueen so much,” she says. “Jonathan Saunders, Miu Miu, Prada, and definitely Kenzo-I love what they’re doing lately.” But she’s quick to point out designer looks are the exception, not the norm. “My work [as a brand ambassador] with Aéropostale (an American youth clothing company) has been so fun for that reason-I love that a girl could see a paparazzi picture of me going to a movie and buy what I’m wearing,” she says. “I’m not running around in Givenchy or Louis Vuitton.
Moretz was named last year’s Women in Film Max Mara Face of the Future award. However, she says, “I’m not the Max Mara girl, I’m just the Face of the Future. I’m not doing any campaigns yet. I want to wait a couple of years, because I think if I do it right now, where am I going to go when I’m 20 and I’ve already done two campaigns or something? You know, I figure, why do everything so young and so fast? I’m only 16. Why rush everything? I’m saving a lot of stuff for later. A fashion campaign will come in due time.”
TALK
Kickstart for entrepreneurs? Al Fikra winners in the student category discuss the roadblocks to entrepreneurial spirit in Doha.
Gaming is serious business
Adnan
Sayed is keen to bring the multi-million dollar professional gaming industry to the Middle East with The Zone. To his credit, Adnan doesn’t get offended when we ask what on earth a professional gamer is supposed to be. But he blames it on the lack of awareness in the Middle East. “Although there are so many people here who own consoles and are hard-core gamers, there hasn’t been an effort yet to bring them together in a competitive arena,” he says. For those who are given to satisfying their thirst for competitive gaming in dimly lit internet cafes and the occasional LAN-parties, The Zone will change the rules of the game forever. Adnan is no stranger to e-sports and was a big-league professional gamer back in Canada. Corporations would fall over each
26
issue 19
2013
other to sponsor him, his team was ranked among the top five in competitive gaming and the prize money involved was outrageous. “So I know the industry and I have the contacts,” he says passionately. “And there is so much potential here. It just needs somebody to take it up and run it in an organized and professional manner.” He mentions a Dubai-based company which is trying to get the ball rolling but is doing a shoddy job of it. “I remember going to one of the ‘tournaments’ they had organized in Doha. There were barely 18 stations, no entrance fee, no prize money and consoles weren’t even networked,” he scoffs. “They offered me a job but I didn’t feel like working for anyone.” In his head, he has worked out the stages of progression of his business. “Initially I plan to launch a website and mobile app where gamers from the region can compare their stats with each other. After this, players will be able to register as team to compete with each other and after we have built a big enough user database, it will snowball into gaming events across the region.” Though all this does look great on paper, Adnan says he has encountered nothing but roadblocks. “When I submitted my business plan to Al Fikra last year, I didn’t even clear the first round. I decided to apply again this year and worked really hard at selling myself,” he says. He mentions a lot of mentors from Enterprise Qatar who realized he was serious about his business and helped him out with his presentation skills. Though it paid off, Adnan says his high hopes haven’t been met. “I was really hoping they’d put us in touch with investors who are interested in my plan but it hasn’t happen and I am now less and less hopeful about getting this off the ground. A lot of companies are interested in sponsoring gaming events but I am not at that stage of my business yet,” he says. But Adnan is finding other means of keeping his spirits high. “If I could emerge as the winner at Al Fikra, I feel anybody can. That’s why I want to start an entrepreneurial club at Education City to help more students become aware and participate in such competitions,” he says.
Knitting dreams online So our customers can get access to many countries’ rich heritage in carpet manufacturing with a click of a button.
Rafay
Abbasi talks about Looms & Knots, a custom-made carpet retailing business idea that he and his business partner, Haya Al Kubaisi, hope to bring online soon. Son of a retired Brigadier General in Pakistan Army who traveled widely, Rafay was never short of inspiration or the discipline to focus that into tangible results. Majoring in Business Administration at Carnegie Mellon University -Qatar, Haya and he feel that Looms & Knots is “a lucrative, innovative idea with great potential to expand and diversify.” “Both Haya and I are art and antiques enthusiasts. Collecting carpets is one such passion that we share,” he says, “Back in Pakistan, I get my carpets custom made, to my desire, and have received numerous compliments for them. We thought that we could take this further and create something which was creative, out of the box and not done in the region.” The carpets will be sourced from Lahore, Pakistan from an ISO certified company that sells most of its produce to the United States. Rafay’s best friend and high school col-
league owns the factory which employs over 200 people from Turkey, Iran Afghanistan and Pakistan. “So our customers can get access to these countries’ rich heritage in carpet manufacturing with a click of a button,” he says. It is no surprise that the team managed to sell the idea in “under 30 seconds in front of more than 200-300 people, including top executives of the region”. But despite this it is not going to be an easy ride mostly because e-commerce regulations are not properly enforced or advertised in the region. “I believe that e-commerce needs to start developing some credibility here and people have to start believing that when they purchase something online, they will be conducting a reliable transaction,” he says, “In the West, it has become part of people’s lives. There is a system in place, which ensures that business held on ecommerce, follows rules and regulations and if there is a fraud, people can turn to that system and ask for help.” But these young students know they need experience to launch this business and that only comes with time. They are no hurry to take the plunge, instead looking to amass enough experience and knowledge that’ll help them in their future endeavor.
2013
issue 19
27
Helping businesses digitize Enterprise Qatar and Al Fikra created a transition for us students, giving us the first step we need to bring ALMALAF to life.
For
Fatima Fikree and Mashael Al Misnad, recent Business Administration graduates from CMU-Q, starting a business was always a dream. And ALMALAF is a small step in that direction. Through thorough study and analysis of the Qatari market, Fatima and Mashael realized that business infrastructure hadn’t caught up with the country’s booming economic climate in certain areas, viz. technology, and hit upon a business plan to help shrink this gap. Fatima says, “Many businesses still have much of their records on paper and operate using this traditional method.” To help companies achieve security and efficiency in their record-keeping, ALMALAF, their digitizing company, will encompass both digitizing and digital file storing services. “Through optimal character recognition scanning, we will transform documents into an easy access computerbased system. We are confident of our innovative business model and the advantages that it will provide to Qatar, its customers, and of course the investors. The growth opportunity for ALMALAF is relatively high in this market and our business model allows for future expansion into new technological areas,” says Mashael, who’d love to be a social entrepreneur, creating a business that can be an agent of change for the Arab world. Bred on CMUQ competitive business program, Mashael says they have always felt the need to prove their skills and expertise and grabbed at the opportunity to take part in Al Fikra. “Enterprise Qatar and Al Fikra created a transition for us students, giving us the first step we need to bring ALMALAF to life.” With the prize money earmarked for kick-starting the business, the two young entrepreneurs-in-the-making are clearly taking it one day at a time. When asked about their five-year-plan, Fatima says, “We are winging it.”
28
issue 19
2013
BIGWIG
30
“Commitment without compromise” issue 19
2013
Vodafone is the second biggest telecom operator in the country and its entry into the Qatar market was revolutionary as it brought with it new competition, endearing the brand to the small but growing customerbase. But Vodafone Qatar’s role is no less challenging with a strong contender in Ooredoo who are giving the newcomers a run for their money. Meeting this challenge head-on is Kyle Whitehill, the new Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone.
Whitehill joined Vodafone Qatar in June 2013 from Vodafone Ghana where he was Chief Executive Officer from 2010. Under Whitehill’s leadership, Vodafone Ghana has seen a significant increase in revenue market share and profitability. Whitehill has worked for Vodafone Group since 2001 and has previously held a variety of senior roles including Enterprise Business Unit Director in the UK and Chief Operating Officer in India. He gives CAMPUS readers a pep-talk.
As a leader what qualities would you help foster in the younger generation? Passion and commitment. I have been with Vodafone for over 11 years and have grown to be an ambassador of the brand; you have to exude passion in whatever field you work in. At Vodafone, as we grow to be the most admired brand in Qatar, a key success factor has always been our highly-driven team.
How important are values in this generation amidst fast-paced technology? Networks, whether it’s a mobile network or a social network, in essence, are connecting people. A good education can only take you so far. My advice would be to never let go of one’s ethics and to treasure the sense of community that these networks provide the youth today, putting aside any differences. That’s the only way you will be successful. Also, try not to settle for anything that compromises this path.
For a career in telecommunication, what advice would you give the students of Qatar? As telecommunications professionals, the fundamentals are the same – you need a strong network, you need to embrace the customers and community you operate in and deliver exceptional value and quality while being part of a passionate team. Keep on innovating in delivering the full strength of your brand.
In this era when the youth population is growing, and the job market not fast enough, what options do the youth have to a career? I understand that the global economy has slowed significantly the past few years. There is a chronic mismatch between skills and work. The only way to sidestep this would be to be entrepreneurial and in doing meaningful work, and to engage as a community in effectively changing the world. Learn and try to soak in as much knowledge as possible in your field of liking and stick to it. Be an expert and surround yourself with like-minded people, network and build contacts.
One leadership value that you hold dear? The passion and commitment I referred to earlier can only be relevant if you can speak your mind and express yourselves. To be a leader, one must develop powerful communications skills.
2013
issue 19
31
career trivia
‘My education
didn’ t prepare me for the workplace!’
W
hile you may be confident about your degree and the knowledge you have accumulated during these last few years, you might feel clueless about how to practically apply your education in a workplace setting, and thus the thought of taking up a job, or an internship, must fill you with anxiety. Your fears match the findings of the Bayt.com ‘Workplace Dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa’ poll, June 2013, as 20% professionals feel the exact same way and blame their education system for being ill-prepared for the current job market.
32
issue 19
2013
It’s true, your degree might teach you the skills you need for a career, but it won’t show you how to get there. You need to understand that this feeling of anxiety is natural, but you shouldn’t let it overwhelm you. Your graduation is an important milestone and you should feel nothing but pride for this achievement. The best way to combat this feeling of being unprepared is by getting prepared for the next important step in your life, your career. Here are the top five preparation tips that can help you make a smooth transition from being a full-time student to a full-time professional, compiled by the career experts at Bayt.com, the Middle East’s #1 job site:
Flexibility is key Ahead of you lies a challenging, but promising, job market. While it is great to know what you want in your career, a majority of fresh graduates do not share the same kind of assuredness. This is not a bad thing in today’s workplace. Because when you are not so sure, you are more likely to be willing to try out different roles. Whether it’s sales, HR, admin, or marketing, if you are an eager learner and flexible in your work environment, then the world is your oyster. The Bayt.com Job Index survey, January 2013, revealed that today’s employers look for candidates who have good communication skills, and who are cooperative, helpful and flexible team players with great leadership skills.
Learn to think independently As a student, your work may be evaluated by your course instructor, but as a professional you will be held accountable for your work. So it would be a good time for you to hone your research and fact-checking skills. You need to understand that you will be the primary critic of your work.
Learn time management
Draw out your career roadmap If you are not sure of the job role that will best fit you, then find out during the interview if the company offers you the level of flexibility required, allowing you to explore different options. On your first job, ask your supervisor for feedback on your performance. Display curiosity and seek to find out how other departments work. This will help you find out if you have the skills required to excel in other roles. Speak up and volunteer for different projects. You’ll get noticed and also expand your scope of work. At appraisals, ask for a roadmap of how you can grow in the department.
Unlike a student, your typical day at work is not governed by a ‘timetable’; you have control over how much time you use for which tasks and how to manage your deadlines. Though you might be tempted to spend the whole day beautifying your presentation, it is hardly good use of your time. Instead, remember the 80-20 rule: 80% of results come from 20% of inputs (and, conversely, the other 20% of results come from the other 80% of inputs).
Dress the part As obvious as it may sound, being well-groomed is something many fresh graduates tend to overlook. Even if you are just an intern, this doesn’t mean you turn up to work in sweatshirts and jeans. Remember, you are being evaluated. According to the Bayt.com ‘Influence of Personal Appearance on Hiring Decisions’ poll, March 2013, more than 77% professionals agree that you risk being negatively judged on the basis of your personal grooming at work. Moreover, more than 83% of professionals say there is a direct correlation between appearance and success. Dressing well shouldn’t imply dressing expensively. You can easily pick up affordable tips from blogs and articles on affordable office dressing.
Hopefully these tips will help you prepare for the exciting career that lies ahead of you. Good luck!
Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 40,000 employers and over 12,500,000 registered job seekers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the globe, representing all industries, nationalities and career levels. Post a job or find jobs on www.bayt.com today and access the leading resource for job seekers and employers in the region.
2013
issue 19
33
It’s a
good time
to be young A survey among the Arab youth is indicative of their bubbling optimism; they know what they want and will move worlds to get there.
34
issue 19
2013
44
OBSTACLES FACING MIDDLE EAST
TRUSTED NEWS SOURCES
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE FACING THE MIDDLE EAST?
IN YOUR OPINION WHAT IS THE MOST TRUSTED SOURCE OF NEWS?
42
43
AMONG ALL
38
QATAR
60 31 27
26
2011
28 25 24
21
21 16
2013
40
24 19 19
17 18
26 19 18
LACK OF LACK OF ISRAELLACK OF FINANCIAL THREAT OF LACK OF LOSS OF DEMOCRACY ARAB UNITY PALESTINIAN POLITICAL ISSUES TERRORISM STRONG TRADITIONAL CONFLICT DIRECTION LEADERSHIP VALUES
tv news channels
22
18 09
CIVIL UNREST
2012
49
newspapers
11
09 websites
social media
S
unil John, CEO of ASDA’A Burson-Marstellar got some valuable advice back in 2006. “Want to know where the Arab world is going in be in ten years’ time?” he said, “Ask the youth. The distinguishing feature of this region is the high youth demographic; 60% of the population – some 200 million – are under the age of 24.” And the Arab Young Survey conducted by the company throws some light into what this new generation of Arabs want – what they think about their countries, what is important to them and where they see themselves in the future. This is the fourth such survey where over 3000 young Arab national men and women voiced their opinions over a range of issues from the Arab Spring to democracy, from socio-economic concerns to influencers and a staggering majority of them (75% in Qatar) believe that their best days were ahead of them. John feels this is largely because many of them have broken down the wall of fear and toppled regimes and now feel that anything is possible. Results also show that is future is in safe hands. When asked to rank the things most important to them, the young people in the region get their priorities straight and prove that they have a good head on their shoulders. Being paid a fair wage, owning a home, living in a democratic country, living without the fear of terrorism and having access to the best colleges and universities came out on top of list while access to high-speed internet, getting married to start a family and able to afford luxuries scored low. While UAE was perceived as a model nation among the youth in the region, with many wanting to live there or their countries emulate its growth, a healthy 60% of Qataris felt ready to compete with the world. When so many of your young men and women feel that way, there is no where to go but to the top.
“Qatar’s youth think of themselves as a community, not a unit” In the panel discussion that followed the release of the survey results, HE Sheikha Hanadi Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani (founder and chairperson of Amwal), Jaber Al Harami (Editor-in-chief of Al Sharq), Ahmed Nasser Al Kaani (CEO of Widam) and Dr Tarik M Yousef (CEO of Silatech) exchanged their views what’s ailing Qatari youth. “While
the needs and aspirations of youth from the Gulf and non-gulf countries are merging, the one glaring difference is how much Arab youth are influenced by their parents, families and religion,” John had said. The panel debated on whether this has created a comfort zone that young people are often reluctant to move out of. Is this why entrepreneurship hasn’t ignited the youth here as much as we’d hoped? Should they be more open and free and would that further unleash their creativity?
Appeal of private sector on the rise The number of young people who’d prefer to work for the public sector has come down from 68% in 2012 to 58% this year. This is a sign that more and more youth are willing to compromise on the security and flexibility that government jobs provide for the competition and challenges of the private sector. Al Kaabi lamented that it’s hard to find fresh graduates who are suited to fill the vacancies in private companies and even when they do it’s harder still for the private sector to match the pay and privileges of a government job. “This kind of security in government jobs encourages complacency,” Sheikha Hanadi said, “And that’s not what we want our young men and women to become. But there is no quick fix for this (eg. Qatarisation). There is a problem with the job market, there is a problem with the education system and these have to be solved systematically.”
2013
issue 19
35
Imagine the future The students who represented Qatar in Microsoft’s Imagine Cup in St Petersburg share their experiences of competing against some of the best student technology projects from around the world.
36
issue 19
2013
A
team of young ladies from the computer science and engineering departments of Qatar University had a fruitful experience at St. Petersburg, Russia, attending the finals of Microsoft’s student technology competition; Imagine Cup. Team QSpark, made it through grueling regional rounds to participate in the international finals and got to present their project – ARTOUCH – to judges and other participants from 87 teams representing 71 countries. “The competition was truly a remarkable experience. Not only was the journey extremely beneficial, knowledge and career-wise, but the event itself was unforgettable. It gave us a chance to see amazing projects from all around the world and to meet the brilliant people that worked on them. It also gave us a chance to meet or network with experts in so many fields, including Microsoft’s Kinect, which we have used in our project,” Latefa Talal Al-Naimi says. Share more details about their project, Latefa says, “ARTOUCH presents a novel approach to virtually interact with museum
artifacts by offering museum visitors the ability to virtually touch and feel museum artifacts’ surfaces, which would normally be out of reach. This is done by using Microsoft’s Kinect sensor, that takes in a 3D image of the museum artifact, a computer that processes the artifact image into a 3D mesh object (and showing it on the computer screen), and a haptic device to provide the user the ability to virtually feel and touch the artifact. The haptic device is one that gives back vibrations to the user’s hand while he or she is holding the controller. The programming involved on the haptic device’s end requires a 3D mesh, which is what the Kinect provides. “This is product that has the potential to revolutionize the art world in the sense that it’ll add one highly important level of interaction – the sense of touch. This will create a much deeper connection with the culturally significant artifacts.” The team also believed that the technology can be used to benefit visually-impaired visitors. Another QSpark team member, Rahma Ali, reflects, “The Imagine Cup was a once-in-a lifetime experience and I honestly believe that even though we didn’t win, making it to the
finals was totally worth it. I am very glad we got the opportunity to meet so many brilliant students and see so many great projects. Most people were also impressed with the fact that we were all girls working in technology.” Team mentor and Assistant Professor of Computer Science at QU Dr Osama Halabi couldn’t be more proud of his students. He beams, “It was a great experience for the students to have the chance to present and demonstrate their project to the judges and an international audience who showed huge interest in the idea. The judges were really impressed and asked many questions. I am proud of their achievements given the fact that they are still in their third year and were competing with the best students globally.” What was truly remarkable for him was to see the students working so hard in an activity outside of their classroom to achieve their dreams. “It has been an honor to represent Qatar and Qatar University for the second time in such a prestigious competition and it is great to see the students so motivated and working hard in an activity outside of their classroom to achieve their dreams,” he said.
2013
issue 19
37
experience
Work and play in NYC By Asmaa Fikree
A third year Georgetown University student specializing in international economics, one of the six students from Education City who spent three weeks in New York City interning for The Economist Group, shares some of their more unforgettable moments.
D
uring my internship at T he Economist Group in New York, we were given a project that had to be delivered as a final product by the end of the three-week program. This project consisted of creating a simulated event, and included everything from programming and marketing, to sales and logistics. At the end, our proposals for the new Economist event would be pitched to the events team including the CFO, to de-
38
issue 19
2013
termine whether they would go ahead with the event or not.
Achieving the objective in sight Throughout the three weeks we received guidance from specialists from every department and by the end we could see how collaboration from every employee and every department was necessary to deliver the final product while maintaining high standards. We learnt how effective communication is neces-
sary, from editors to event project managers to marketing and HR departments and sales. The most exciting part of the program for me was interacting with the specialists who had bestowed upon us so much of their experience, knowledge and advice. Also, meeting with higher executives such as the VP, the CFO and the Managing Director of T he Economist was a pivotal part of my experience. Not only was I able to network with some of the best people in their respective fields but
was able to amass an incredible amount of knowledge on how a media corporation is run, what challenges it faces and, on a personal level, what distinguishes a potential employee from other applicants. Another great encounter was with the editors who write the anonymous articles in the bi-weekly magazine. Putting a face to these articles and understanding how they think and how much effort and research is put into each article, every week, was an eye-opener.
Quintessentially New York To immerse ourselves into the corporate culture of New York and get an intimate feel of it, we decided that we would spend the majority of our lunch breaks eating where most working New Yorkers ate – the food trucks. Except on the few days when we decided to have a salad in the park or a juicy burger (which we regretted afterwards!), we would hunt down food trucks, either by walking around or tracking them on twitter, and get a taste of the different food cultures in New York. From Wafels & Dinges (Belgian) to Korean barbeque, from grilled cheese to icecream sandwich truck, from Greek to, of course, lots of Mexican, we not only tried different foods from New York but also had fun doing so. What I loved about the food trucks were how creative and original they were, and the food you’d find them serving were not conventional; they always had a unique twist.
Downtime in Downtown On our weekends, we decided to explore the different sights and sounds of New York. We took a walking tour to 5pointz, which is one of the most famous graffiti art centers in the US. The tour was guided by the lead artist who explained the meaning behind each artwork and the signature style of each artist. After this we were treated to a beautiful view of Manhattan from the rooftop. I also caught some exciting shows, like an interactive reincarnation of Macbeth that was held at a pretend five-storey hotel. You are given no program and there is no speaking from the actors or audience. The audience members wear a mask and follow the unmasked actors around while they act in silence, up and down this 5-storey hotel. One weekend we decided to catch an outdoors John Mayer concert; that was a fun night!
What I brought back I attended the internship to help me decide what career path I would want to take and I left with a diverse list of possible career paths, because working at The Economist has opened up my mind to the many possibilities in the professional world. A specialist at The Economist encouraged us to pursue our own initiative in Qatar, and we have taken that to heart. Maybe, in the near future, we would put to use the tools we
have acquired here to start our own initiative in Qatar. I remember the advice the VP gave us – you must do the work to keep your job, but to get higher you have to push the boundaries. This gave me a fresh perspective on offering something different and unique and introducing this work ethic to the Qatari mindset; not only should we create a competitive labor force, but also an innovative and creative one that can think outside the box and position Qatar as a leader in innovation.
2013
issue 19
39
talk
Broadened horizons By l Abigai s Mathia
Two Qatari students share how their perspectives have changed after choosing to study outside their home country. 40
issue 19
2013
Though we have many nationalities, in Qatar there is a huge barrier between locals and expats, so we don’t usually mix, which I think is quite a shame because we can learn a lot from each other. - Ahmad Al Hamadi
J
assim Al Mahmoud and Ahmad Al Hamadi are two peas in a pod. Not only do they complete each other’s sentences, they chuckle inchorus and at every opportunity, like teenagers. Earlier this year, both men took part in a debate held in the UK by the Qatar UK 2013, in conjunction with the British Council’s Going Global conference for leaders of higher education and Qatar Foundation’s iconic World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE). The debate analyzed the future of education. Rather unconsciously, both friends seemed to have directly opposing views. They tease each other on who holds the more correct view. “I believe while technology is a powerful tool for educators, it can never replace the teacher,” says Jassim. Ahmad shakes his head in disapproval. There is one thing they both agree on. They are keen to help other students pursuing further studies. “I would tell other students considering studying abroad, not to be afraid,” smiles Ahmad. His friend adds, “The first few weeks may be hard, but that will be the case no matter where you go internationally. There is a lot of adjustment that needs to be done but once you pass that hurdle, you will be fine.” Though his heart is in Qatar, Jassim currently lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. He is about to embark on his second year at the University of Huddersfield, studying for a BEng Mechanical Engineering. Once his studies have been completed, Jassim is hoping to move back to Qatar to pursue his career. He completed an internship with Qatar Petroleum before heading for the UK. The 26-year-old says it
was not easy to leave his home country but he slowly got used to living on foreign shores, this despite the fact that he took his wife with him. Ahmad is the eldest of four children and has just graduated with honours in accounting and finance from the Manchester Business School, which is part of the University of Manchester. He loves to learn, not particularly from books, but from experiences, so having had such an exposure on a different culture was a great learning experience for him. “I have grown not only in skills, but as a human being through my interactions with various cultures. Though we have many nationalities in Qatar, there is a huge barrier between locals and expats, so we don’t usually mix, which I think is quite a shame because we can learn a lot from each other.” It took an economics presentation for Ahmad to showcase the progress of his country and its achievements, to his friends and classmates in the UK. Ahmad will soon work with the Qatar Olympic Committee. He is encouraged to learn that some of his peers in Qatar come from the same place that he studied. He believes he now has two homes one in Qatar and the other in the UK. Ahmad explains that once he was on his own, he learnt to cook with help from online videos. “It’s the little things like shaving and doing things yourself, that I really enjoyed,” says Jassim. He says his parents have noticed the difference in him. Another change that Ahmad can perceive is his increasing awareness of his own health issues. “Now I take care of my body and what I eat. I stay away from unhealthy food.”
2013
issue 19
41
All images credit: Abigail Mathias (except the image of Ahmad in graduation class).
I believe while technology is a powerful tool for educators it can never replace the teacher. - Jassim Al Mahmoud His family jokes that he has become a ‘health freak.’ Jassim feels he learnt a great deal of life lessons through the exchange, “The education system in Qatar prepared me for what I was going to study, but nothing prepared me for how different life would be. In the UK everything is online including your course material. I would recommend that students take the foundation year to receive a good start to their education.” And Ahmad disagrees completely.
They explain how the Qatari government makes it easy for students to procure scholarships to study further. These can be taken in the stream of one’s choice from engineering to economics, among others. Ahmad credits the earlier Emir, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani who always encouraged the youth to strive hard to achieve something. “Today with our new Emir, we are truly in the spotlight.”
Advice to peers Ahmad took up the role of student representative in his UK school and feels, “To encourage other students is like paying back what the institute gave me. I would encourage everyone to get involved. Build on your leadership skills. I did a business course besides my regular studies. This involved 20 hours of volunteer work. Students should try to join the student union through which you can gain access to an entire student network, which is engaged in a lot of activities.” Though he was the only Qatari student in the undergraduate programme, Ahmad says he learnt a lot about himself and his country. “I realized that we take so much for granted by living in Qatar. We don’t have taxes and we have so many other facilities.” There’s also another side which he feels strongly about. “Don’t get me wrong, but I feel we can be more humble. We can learn a lot from different cultures if we just open ourselves to it.” A pause for thought later, he adds, “I would advice students not to judge each other’s experiences. Go and make your own story.” With a firm head on their shoulders and dreams in their eyes, it seems evident that these young lads, will go a long way.
42
issue 19
2013
create & inspire
Another dimension to Street Art By l Abigai s Mathia Uplifting, inspiring or revolting. Street art can evoke any of these emotions or even all of them. It can move you so deeply or make you cringe in disgust. A few artists got together to prove just how effective street art can be. This August, 11 emerging artists from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates travelled to London and Yorkshire to experience the United Kingdom’s thriving public art scene and collaborate with professional artists, curators and filmmakers working in the field of public art. The artists have been selected for their original and imaginative responses to this year’s theme: ‘Public Art: Re-imagining your Community’ at the Create and Inspire awards. Campus caught up with two winners from Qatar.
2013 2013
issue issue 19 19
43
Taking art to the roads Engy Hashem
W
ith the city of Doha as her muse, 25-year-old Engy Hashem, who studied BFA from VCUQ and worked as a graphic designer at Mathaf, created visually stunning art pieces which caught the attention of the jury at this year’s Create and Inspire awards. The busy artist and mother, explains how this creative endeavor changed her life.
What prompted you to enter the Create and Inspire competition? The theme or topic of this year’s competition
44
issue 19
2013
was quite straightforward in the aspect that it highlighted art. Every year, it was about how you would portray a more general theme, in an artistic way, like the theme, ‘Hajj’ in 2011. This year’s theme made it more of a challenge, in my personal view. Funnily enough, I wasn’t going to enter this year’s competition. With lots of projects at work and the stresses (and joys) of motherhood, I didn’t need anything more on my plate. However, when I read through the requirements again and realized the competition closes to those above 25, I was determined. I will be turning 26 this year, so this was my last chance.
How did you choose the subject matter and what does it mean to you personally? I spent nearly three weeks, thinking. Literally, I would drive around or just sit and stare into the unknown, coming up with a zillion ideas, jotting them down and coming up with some more until there was a week left to submissions and I had neglected production time altogether! However, it was that driving around that sparked the idea of road signs as public art. We are used to examples of public art as structures, placed in parks, in front of important buildings, as people in countries with moderate climate, might be seen exploring
“Public art is not big in Doha yet. Primarily because people don’t walk much here, be it because of the heat or the distance between our places of interest, we end up spending most of our travel time inside the car. This work in progress revolves around everyday sightings on the roads of Doha. Be it acrobatic driving or mere road signs, there’s always a calling to re-imagine.”
the city on foot, and therefore interacting with public art monuments. The Gulf is a unique context, with temperatures in the summer reaching up to 50 degrees. We spend a lot of our time in our cars driving to and from well air-conditioned places, with road signs as the only structures seen. When Jock Kinneir and Margret Calvert went about to standardize the road sign network for Great Britain, they designed road signs that addressed the current times and needs of roads and drivers then. My main artwork for the competition “2-wheeling” is a redesigned road sign addressing the entertaining yet dangerous techniques of driving that passengers may encounter on the road.
as Qatar Museum Authority’s Public Art department for example, who commissioned El Seed’s Salwa underpass Calligraphiti project. Projects like these will eventually open people’s eyes to new forms of art instigating their own projects.
designers who have developed furniture, fashion labels or video art add what we love most about the visual logic of graphic design to product functionality and aesthetic.
What contribution can the youth of Qatar make towards making the country richer in the arts?
Only about a handful of people knew I was entering the competition. My husband and my family’s reaction was one of, ‘we told you, you’d win it!’ Being cautious and self doubting, I was already revisiting other zillion ideas reconsidering which would have been better until I received the congratulatory email from the Crossway Foundation.
Authenticity. No one knows a nation better than it’s people. Being exposed to different cultures and forms of art is great when it happens in harmony with reading into the context of our own national identity without trying to imitate another or redefine our own.
How has winning the awards been perceived by your peers?
Can art truly inspire people? What are your thoughts on street art in Qatar? Is there any potential for bigger displays? Qatar’s street art scene is emerging. Maybe not by local artists yet but by institutions such
Name a few mentors who have inspired you in the field and describe some of their work? I am most inspired by design professionals who have taken a step beyond their usual design arena into wider territories. Graphic
Art can inspire people, but art doesn’t necessarily need to be beautiful. Art can be shockingly ugly or provoke public opinion by its controversy. If art is meant to inspire, it should do anything but leave you sated.
2013 2013
issue issue 19 19
45
Behind the veil Louna Bou Ghanem
18
- year old Louna Bou Ghanem has grown up in Doha. A graduate from the International School of London in Qatar, Louna hopes her work can inspire a society that is free of cultural prejudice.
How long have you lived in Qatar and what have you studied about art? I am Lebanese and have lived in Qatar since 2006 and am interested in design and arts in all fields. I just finished my International Baccalaureate diploma, with Visual Arts as a higher-level subject. I am specifically interested in cultural heritage, Islamic designs and architecture, and history of arts. I am a prospective architecture student.
What prompted you to enter the Create and Inspire competition?
46
issue 19
2013
It is one of my goals and intentions to raise awareness about the beauty of cultural heritage as well as address environmental degradation issues. I already tried to raise awareness about the fall of the ecological system in our world through a video presented to the Mathaf student competition, where I won the ‘Best show’ award. I learnt about the competition from a brochure at the Katara Art Center, which I visit frequently. I applied and was pleased when summoned to an interview.
Describe how you chose the subject matter and what it means to you personally? The theme of this year’s competition is “Reimagining your community.” The way I reimagine my society is free of cultural prejudice, proud of all cultures and an advocate of individuality, where globalization does not mean the erasure of culture but the celebration of it. Since heritage is a constant source of inspiration to me, I started from there, and
decided to seize the opportunity to express something I have always wanted to say through this piece. In many countries, a face veil is considered as an infringement on the rights of the women who wear it. Foreign media qualifies the face veil as a compulsory ‘mask’ that violates human rights. This is a very narrow perspective because in fact, some Qatari women wear a face veil – the Battoolah – purely out of respect to traditions. To the elderly locals, Battoolahs are accessories that add mystery to a beautiful face. In my work, I did not express heritage per se, but my own experience of it. From my personal experience, I derived my inspiration from René Magritte’s “Ceci n´est pas une pipe”, but with a different paradox. Hence the name of the piece, “Ceci n´est pas un masque”, or ‘this is not a mask’ in French. The medium I used – leather pyrography – helped me reinforce my message because the henna back-
“Qatar’s development vision is ambitious, but very feasible given the determination of its government and people to achieve the state-of-the-art cities of the future. With all the investments placed on big development plans, comes the responsibility of artists and designers to embellish the city. Street art is one of the main requirements to provide a special cachet for a city, introduce icons by which it will be identified. Street art is hence a major responsibility to be fulfilled.”
ground motif engraved on the flesh-colored leather created another cultural reminder.
What are your thoughts on street art in Qatar? Is there any potential for bigger displays? Qatar’s development vision is ambitious, but very feasible given the determination of its government and people to achieve the state-of the-art cities of the future. With all the investments placed on big development plans, comes the responsibility of artists and designers to embellish the city. Street art is one of the main requirements to provide a special cachet for a city, introduce icons by which it will be identified. Street art is hence a major responsibility to be fulfilled. Some of the most visible signs of street art in Qatar are the structures of the Oryx, at Oryx Roundabout – at the end of Khalifa street, AlRyada Roundabout – close to Hamad hospital and Al Qaws Roundabout, in the Dafna area. However these remain modest in comparison to edifices in other cities. I believe there is a lot of potential to introduce artistic structures of various scales and colors on roundabouts, along the corniche, and in public open spaces. I think these should have cultural heritage as a theme because this
will reinforce the Qatari identity of the cities and provide a continuation of its urban memory, rather than a break from the past. The design of creative and exclusive street furniture is also interesting and important. In London, for instance, street furniture such as the phone cabins have become iconic to the city. Murals are also important, especially with the large spaces available on the plots fencing walls that have the ability to look like a storybook. Qatar already approached a mural art project when El Seed painted his signature calligraffiti four of the tunnels of the new Salwa road and recently, Vincent Abadie Hafez lead a workshop in Katara Art Studios (his exhibition “99 Names of Allah” was recently shown in Katara).
What contribution can the youth of Qatar make towards an art appreciative society? The young generation is open to new trends and fashion, and exposed to what goes on everywhere in the world through communication media. This equips them with the ability to learn, and then be creative and innovative. The youth of Qatar can design and implement art projects in the public realm. This will also reinforce strong bonds and a love for the cities
in which they live.
How has winning the victory being perceived by your peers? I was very pleased when I learned about winning the competition. But the reaction of my peers made me even happier, especially when they seemed reassured that I deserved it. Being appreciated and encouraged by my peers reflect the true friendship bonds that relate the youth in Qatar, a place that nurtures respect and friendship.
Do you believe that art can truly inspire people? I am a firm believer that artists are not just trained or skillful aesthetes, and inspiration does not always have to be artistic. Art has always been a means to deliver messages, whether social, cultural or political, and artists have the potential to influence wide-ranging audiences. Art can make people ask themselves questions, and consequently inspire them. I also believe that every “beholder” has beautiful eyes, and will interpret art pieces according to his past exposure and present mood. This is the strength of art, being a source of appreciation and inspiration for all.
2013 2013
issue issue 19 19
47
FASHION & beauty
Skin care isn’t just for girls!
beauty trends to try out this fall 48
issue 19
2013
Big 70s curls
Woven and braided hair
It was all about giant 1970s style blowouts in New York City. At both Marc by Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg models wore Studio 54 style big volume hairdos; it’s a great way to add some extra glamour to your look as the evenings draw in.
Valentino and Rodarte were just two of the shows which played with plaits. Whether you opt for a fat fishtail braid worn over one shoulder or more delicate French braids, woven tresses can create a sleek look for evening events or a practical solution for everyday hair.
T IP: Try Redken Guts 10 Volume Spray Foam to prep the hair before using your curling iron, then brush out the curls and tease the hair.
T IP: Prep your hair with John Frieda Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse and take strands through a two-inch curling iron to create a loose bend. Brush out the waves and create interwoven plaits on either side, which will then join together in a rosette that carry on into a single braid at the back.
L
ifestyle choices affect the way your skin ages. If you’re dehydrated, skin will appear more wrinkled and lose some elasticity. If you’re constantly stressed out and sleep-deprived, skin will look dull and lifeless. If you smoke, you’re prematurely damaging blood vessels and limiting skin’s ability to self-repair. If you’re a sun worshipper, you’re accelerating visible signs of aging. It’s important to take care of your skin and your basic skin care routine should be as simple as brushing your teeth. Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care System of clean, exfoliate, moisturize will help keep your skin in peak condition without a lot of heavy lifting. And there’s a bonus: better shaves. Guys find they get closer shaves and fewer ingrown hairs when they cleanse and exfoliate daily. Clinique’s quick and effective 3-Step Skin Care System is based on the research and experience of guiding dermatologists - and the unique needs of men’s skin. Just 3 steps, 3 minutes, twice a day:
Minimalist makeup Chloé, Dries Van Noten and Tommy Hilfiger all went for the illusion of barefaced beauty in their Fall-Winter shows. The key is to pare back the makeup look to the bare essentials, emphasizing a few natural features in a light palette. T IP: Fill out your eyebrows to draw away focus and using the Chanel Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Quad in Prelude to contour the eyelids with the dark brown and nude colors. Keep the skin matte and lips bare to achieve the minimalistic look.
Cleanse with Face Soap or Liquid Face Wash Bar or liquid, the specially formulated soap is the most efficient way to remove oil and dirt from your face. It cleanses without drying and will leave your skin feeling fresh and comfortable. It comes in two strengths: regular strength for dry or normal skins and extrastrength for oily to very oily skins.
Exfoliate with Scruffing Lotion This will help sweep off the daily build-up of dead skin flakes for clearer skin and unclogged pores. It also benefits bearded areas prone to trouble spots and ingrown hairs. Comes in four skin-specific strengths.
Moisturize with M Lotion or M Gel-Lotion Moisturizing helps soothe and relieves the dryness on your face. After using the Scruffing Lotion, smooth this lotion over face and neck, wherever your skin feels dry.
Wet look hair
Metallic eyes
Don’t worry, this isn’t a repeat of the 80s trend for oily ringlets, but it’s still not the easiest sell for the everyday girl about town. In Milan, Marni and Missoni went for the trend, while at Prada the models looked like they’d just dashed inside after being caught in a rainstorm.
At both the Donna Karan and Jason Wu shows the models rocked strong metallic eyeshadow, while at Christian Dior the girls were given drawn-out silver cat eyes paired with bright pink lipstick. The metallics were seen in all different shades, from the typical silver and gold to blue and red.
T IP: Apply a gel to wet hair - comb it through and then layer on Bumble and Bumble Shine On Spray to give you the wet look without overdoing it! An alternative way of doing this is to layer your gel with a spray that adds definition - Bumble and Bumble’s Defrizz will give you wet look that will also keep its softness.
T IP: Use the award-winning Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow and mix it with a swipe of Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream to create the greasy smoky eye look for a super cool effect. Apply in the crease and blend it with your finger.
2013
issue 19
49
WHAT’S COOL
Lacoste L!ve shirt QR 398
Campus Cool Quotient
Following one of the trends this fall, this Lacoste L!ve plaid shirt can be worn with either jeans or more formal pants.
It’s summer - and here are the essentials
GUYS
Zara jacket QR 350
Sports jackets are always in, but this jacket with contrasting leather sleeves gives it that extra it-factor. Be sure to get this before it’s gone!
Bottega Veneta pour homme QR 320
Bottega’s first mens fragrance features a blend of precious, rare and rustic essences. At the heart it’s the intense marriage of allspice and Mediterranean clary sage.
50
issue 19
2013
Diesel sneakers QR 692 (namshi.com)
Worn either with casuals for classes during day or more formal clothes at night, these sneakers are able to transcend throughout the day.
H&M jeans QR 230
These grey straight leg jeans with a dark strip across, offer a new take on a normal pair of jeans.
H&M shirt QR 190
This fashionable shirt is right on trend and can easily be taken from day to night time.
GIRLS
Zara leather bag QR 725
Kendrick Kelly spike necklace QR 73 (namshi.com)
Carry this stylish bag either by hand or on your shoulder with the detachable strap. It allows for flexibility throughout the day.
Add some sparkle and fun to your traditional outfit with this eye-popping necklace. Be sure to check out the brand’s other stunning accessories.
Jeffrey Campbell alva sneakers QR 667 (namshi.com)
Make a statement with these spike studded sneakers. Wear with casuals to add a little punk.
Rimmel salon pro nail polish with lycra QR 30 These popping colors, created by Kate Moss for Rimmel, last for up to 10 days and are chip resistant due to the gel shine finish.
2013
issue 19
51
Hitting the core health & Fitness
01
Dumbbell Raise / Closed fist resistance Sit
at home - Laying down on the mat with the legs at 450, extend the arms making a fist. Your partner will now sit positioned over your feet to anchor them to the ground. The partner will then apply pressure to the clenched fist as you rise from the ground contracting the abdominals. Resistance will depend on the ability of the person doing the exercise.
In the gym - Position yourself on the mat as before, this time holding a dumbbell at full extension. Your partner will hold out his hands creating an achievable target for you to rise to whilst keeping the dumbbell extended.
52
issue 19
2013
02
Resistance leg raises / Hanging leg raises
at home - Lay on the mat with the legs raised up to 900. Your partner must position himself over your head and reach out to grab hold of your ankles. You must also reach back grabbing hold of your partner’s ankles; this will help lock down your upper body. Your partner will then thrust your legs towards the ground, you must use core strength to stop them from reaching the ground returning them back to the starting position.
In the gym - Starting position would be hanging from the pull up bar with your legs vertical and feet pressed firmly together. Then raise your legs to a 900 position indicated by your partner’s reached out arms.
By Pete Collins Photography by Rob Altamirano Location: Six Senses Spa at the Sharq Village
Here are four abdominal exercises that, if performed right, will really hit those abs and get you in the shape you want to be in. Perform three sets of each with a rep range of 10-15 depending on your ability. Also choose the appropriate weighted resistance when in the gym.
Pete Collins: 30-year-old physical trainer from the UK, an armed forces veteran, has been delivering PT and Crossfit to clients across the world - from royalty to celebrities and businessmen to housewives. He has been in Doha since 2013. Dan Smith: A former Royal Marines Commando who until recently worked in private maritime security, protecting oil tankers from Somali pirates, Dan is a qualified personal trainer who previous was helping residents of Sydney get into shape.
assisted overhead crunch / Resisted Reverse Crunch / Abdominal Cable crunch Weighted Reverse Crunch 03 Towel 04 Partner
at home - Stating position is on the knees holding two towels behind the head. Your partner stands directly behind holding onto the other end of the towel applying resistance throughout the move. Now crunch forward towards the ground contracting the abdominals with elbows closed.
at home - Lie down flat, feet facing away from your partner. Hold
In the Gym - Starting position is kneeling on the ground with your back to the pulley machine. Take hold of the V-shaped handle and carry out the same contraction as at home whilst your partner spots you to ensure the movement pattern is exact.
In the Gym - Lie flat on a bench and use something stable (i.e. the
onto his ankles and flex at the hips bringing your legs up in the air with your knees locked out. Your partner now places their hands on the soles of your feet and applies downward pressure as you bring the hips up off the floor whilst keeping the legs locked out straight, maintaining rigidity throughout the body.
bar on a smith machine) to anchor the shoulders down to the bench. Get your partner to place a dumbbell in-between your feet for resistance. Lift the hips from the bench keeping the body as straight as possible, pause briefly at the top before slowly returning to the start position under control.
2013
issue 19
53
Design at the heart of
dĂŠcor By rya Ayswa hy Murt
Rabih Ghandour, CEO, Fanta addict, coding prodigy and daydreamer among other things, talks to us about his e-commerce website Wamli, a marriage of geeky charm and cutting edge design.
54
issue 19
2013
M
ore often than not, we are defined by what we wear, the phone we carry, the couch in our living room, the clock on our desk (though Tyler Durden would beg to differ). The things we choose to surround ourselves with become an extension of our personality. Wamli is for those of us who don’t want a regular comb but a comb shaped like a gun; those who want skull shaped dust caps for their bicycle valves; those who’d love to sit on a tooth shaped lamp-cum-stool if given the choice; for those who are bored of the mundane and want to be around outrageous design, splashes of color, pure funkiness and a dash of geek chic. Chief Executive Officer, Rabih Ghandour talks to us about the inspiration for the Dubai-based e-commerce startup that’s capturing eyeballs in the Middle East and is already shipping to 23 countries despite being not even a year old.
Please take us through your journey from being “day-dreaming, risk-taking, online geek/college-drop out” to the CEO of Wamli. I came up with the concept of mixing game mechanics with social e-commerce, and started the project soon after. After few months of development, I approached Imad Ghandour, who was a head buyer at Beirut Duty Free at the time, and had a passion for design and products. I showed him an early prototype of Wamli and he was immediately immersed. Later we contacted other family members and friends who, like us, were geeks and design lovers. They in turn fell in love with the concept and came on board giving life to Wamli.
Some rude shocks the business world had instore for you. We faced the same challenges that any ecommerce startup in this region would face. The major challenges we had where payment processing, cross border regulations and customs, and from a customer point of view, building trust and combating the mall culture. Having said that, I believe this market is one of the best places to start, the market is still fresh, with little or no competition, and it is a lucrative market with high purchasing power. Cost wise, the money needed to launch a startup here is a fraction of what is needed to launch one in the U.S. or Europe.
What is the profile of your average buyer? Since its introduction of Wamli, the buyer profile has been ever-changing. Although our target market had been geeks initially, we were pleasantly surprised. The average buyer profiles currently at Wamli are design loving individuals like you and me. They range from people who are interested in unique products that can either add a spark to conversations at home to individuals who wish to celebrate their unique identity with products that match they specific tastes.
How do you handle competition from similarly positioned e-commerce companies like thinkgeek.com? I honestly don’t think we are in direct competition with so called geeky e-commerce platforms. They are more in line with popular themes that gamers / geeks are associated with. Wamli on the other hand is more of an art + design based platform that celebrates unique products from established designers in their particular arena. We believe in delivering these quirky, funky products to our customers by providing a unique shopping experience which is underlined by the use of Wamli Coins which is basically the currency of Wamli.
How do you source the products on your website? Products at Wamli are sourced from all over the world. Most of these have been found through the journeys of Imad, our Head of Products who keeps a lookout for such unique products during his travels. All products on Wamli.com are ones that the entire team at Wamli believes in. Our aim is get visitors to the site live these journeys and celebrate that unique experience.
Where do you see yourself five years down the line? In such a dynamic environment, it is quite a difficult question to answer. The e-commerce industry is constantly evolving and changing. Today we are building a strong foundation, a strong community of design enthusiasts, and a scalable and flexible platform with a huge potential. For Wamli, I would like to see it positioned as a globally successful community driven ecommerce platform, and on the forefront of innovation and design. The potential with Wamli is big, and it is only the beginning.
TECH BEAT
Picture source: The Verge
A new season,
a new iPhone
I
t seems there are three things that are certain in life now – death, taxes and a new iPhone every year. The Internet is flooded with stats and features of the new iPhone 5C and 5S which were announced on September 10, with the 5C expected to be the “budget” model (it’s still an Apple product, so ‘budget’ actually means you’ll only have to mortgage your car and not your home). The cheaper plastic-backed iPhone 5C comes in a splash of bright colors to appeal to younger smartphone users. Traditionally the S models have been largely similar to their predecessors with subtle cosmetic upgrades and it is not too different this time around either. The major feature change is the Touch ID fingerprint scanner, built into the home button which can password-protect your phone and help you access iTunes and Apple Store without keying in your password each time. The 5S also introduces the high-speed dual core processor A7 and a new motion processor - M7. Apple has improved the camera as well, making the image sensor physically bigger in size, which will reportedly produce better images in poor-lighting conditions. Alongside this, the new iOS7 has also been announced. Don’t worry iPhone 4, 4S and 5 users, the new operating system will be compatible with your models as wll.
Welcome to the third generation
56
issue 19
2013
Is it a tablet, is it a laptop?
It’s the new VAIO Duo 13
T
he new slider PC from Sony – the VAIO Duo 13 – lets you work and play in equal measure. The hybrid Ultrabook comes with a unique SurfSlider design and allows for a smooth transition between slate and keyboard modes. Sliding the screen back while in slate mode reveals a keyboard and a touch pad and returning it to its original position puts the VAIO(r) Duo 13 back in slate mode, favoring touch and pen manipulation. The hybrid boasts of extended battery life plus ability to stay active even on sleep mode, (continuing updates and downloads uninterrupted). Another interesting feature is its 8-megapixel built-in rear camera featuring the “Exmor RS for PC” image sensor that makes it possible to take images of documents clear enough for the computer to recognize and tag text. You can use the ‘CamScanner’ application to snap,
G
amers rejoice, for it is your season to be jolly. Both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are slated for release in November this year and we give you a short summary of features of both the consoles to help you make up your mind on which one to get. We’d particularly like to highlight the new remote download feature that Sony announced recently. Now you could buy a game on your smartphone and the console will automatically wakeup, download the content and go back to sleep so that your game is ready for you when you get back home.
Feature
tag and save pictures of documents with ease while also straightening images of documents and photos taken at odd angles. With One-touch listening, included in all of the summer 2013 VAIO models, users can seamlessly transfer music playing on their VAIO to a wide variety of NFC (Near Field Communication) compatible devices and continue enjoying the song right where they left off. Kazutoyo Araki, Head of the IT Marketing Division, Sony Middle East and Africa FZE, says, “Our goal with these innovative models is to provide a fresh perspective on PCs. Our main aim is to introduce devices into the market that portray the ideal balance between work and play. An example of this is the VAIO Duo 13’s convenient design where consumers can use the slate mode either for presentations or playing music, and the keyboard mode for easy editing of documents.”
PS4
Xbox One
Price QR1,450 QR1,820 ($399.99) ($499.99) Optical Drive
Blue-ray/DVD
Blue-ray/DVD
CPU Single-chip x86 AMD “Jaguar” processor, 8 cores
8 Core Microsoft custom CPU
GPU AMD Radeon Graphics Core 853 MHz AMD Radeon Next engine w/ 1152 shaders GPU w/ 768 shaders Storage
500 GB (removable hard drive)
500 GB (non-removable)
Play as you download
Yes
Yes
Cloud Storage
Yes
Yes
Remote download
Yes
Yes
Mandatory game installs No
Yes
Backwards compatibility None None Bluetooth Yes No Wi-Fi Direct No
Yes
USB USB 3.0 (3 ports) USB 3.0 (3 ports) Power Supply Internal External (power bricks)
2013
issue 19
57
gizmos
get gadgety Talk to the hand
Capture a living picture
We realize that gloves are not something you need in Qatar, but this gadget is just too neat to pass up. These touchscreen-friendly Bluetooth Gloves can turn your hand into a phone. It comes with an integrated microphone and speaker in the tips of the thumb and little finger, and a control pad on the top; so you can communicate without taking your phone out of your pocket. Once the glove is synced to your smartphone, you can press the “answer” phone, make the classic ‘phone hand’ and get chatting. Made in Milan, these are designer chic in addition to performing the duties of a regular glove viz. keeping your extremities warm and toasty, should you ever need it. It has USB rechargeable batteries and an operating range of 12 metres. Sure, it might look a little insane, talking to an imaginary phone; but rumors about your sanity is a small price to pay for this awesome device.
This lightweight, quirky looking light field camera looks like something out of science fiction in addition to behaving like one. The Lytro, unlike conventional cameras, captures the entire light field (all of the light traveling in every direction in every point in space). This technology allows you to shift focus and change perspective after the picture has been clicked and is nothing less than a revolution in photography. Built with Lytro Light Field Sensor and Lytro Light Field Engine 1.0, it boasts an 8x optical zoom lens with a constant f/2 aperture which captures the maximum light across the entire zoom range.
Available at www.firebox.com for QR280 (£49.99) and yes, they ship to Qatar.
58
issue 19
2013
The company, a San Franciso based startup, has said that the images clicked through the camera will have live filters and 3D Perspective Shift which, while subtle, can make images “pop with 3D-like depth.” Recently, Lytro surprised users with a release of a firmware update that activated a dorman Wi-Fi chip, allowing users to share photos wirelessly and connect to the iPhone. Now your family and friends can shift your “living pictures” in any direction, refocus it and give it a whole new look.
Give your AA batteries a new lease of life If you are constantly having to buy AA batteries (what are they even used for anyways these days; it’s been ages since we saw one), then do yourself and the environment a favor and buy this USB-chargable batteries. Just pop up the cell’s cap, plug it into your laptop’s USB port and you are all set. Forget carrying chunky cables and use for several hours with only a few minutes of charging.
Not just another memory stick Okay, let’s just make one thing clear. We never tire of funky USBs flash drives. Never. Not going to happen. In that spirit, here are a few that’ll make carrying around e-documents fun.
Available on www.iwantoneofthose.com for QR62 (£10.99) a piece. Toast and USBs – two things that students can’t live without. And you can combine your two favorite things with these adorable USB Toaster hub and drives. The hub can accommodate upto four toast-shaped USB (any other generic USBs, in fact) and an SD card. Each USB toast can hold 8GB worth of data and has its own character and colour, including various facial expressions. From lightest to darkest, there’s Tato, Butta, Ry Ry and Crisp. Also available at www.firebox. com for QR75 (£12.99) for the individual pieces of toast and QR100 (£17.99) for the toaster hub.
Want to freak out anybody who dares interrupt you when you are working away at your laptop (or having a serious existential discussion on Cracked.com)? These USB tentacles will do the trick. Just plug it in and watch the tentacle squirm realistically. Though this doesn’t store any data and is next to useless, functionality wise, we would trade in five other USBs for this slimy accessory. Won’t you? Available at www.thinkgeek.com for QR55 ($14.99). Unfortunately they don’t deliver to these parts of the world, so if your family, friends, neighbors or distant acquaintances are traveling to the US, Canada, UK or Germany, nag them to get it for you.
Turn the heat on While we are in the subject on being environment friendly, check out this handy smartphone/ tablet (Micro USB/iDevices) charger that is powered by solar energy. Equipped with a powerful 1900mAh battery and a solar cell, you can charge this device outdoors or through USB. With Doha never running out of sunlight, you will never run out of charge.
Here’s something for all you photography nerds. A slick USB flash drive shaped like a Canon camera. Designed in Japan, the USB is available in 4GB and 8GB and weighs a mere 90g. How cute is that! Available at www.wamli.com for QR72.80
2013
issue 19
59
around town
Annual Ya Hala event
T
he end of orientation at Education City (EC) ended with the annual Ya Hala event, organized by the student organization at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (KBKU). The event welcomed the incoming students as well as current ones, faculty and staff from all over EC. The celebratory event kicked-off the academic year with games, food, live music, trivia, karaoke and giveaways.
CAMPUS spoke to two freshmen... Rumana Shaikh, NU-Q “Orientation has been pretty great, we’ve been informed of so many things. We were able to meet people from all over EC and I think that’s awesome.” Mohammad Hashir, CMU-Q “Everything has completely exceeded my expectations, it has gone beyond my imagination. I didn’t think it would be this fun. I’m generally a shy person, but they made everyone feel comfortable and I’ve already made friends.”
RUMANA SHAIKH
60
issue 19
2013
MOHAMMAD HASHIR
One app to unite them all
G Students enlist superheroes at orientation
S
enior students at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) have enlisted the help of comic book superheroes to welcome more than 100 first-year students representing approximately 25 nationalities during an orientation program that introduces them to the university’s campus, resources, and values. This year’s program of events falls under the theme ‘League of Tartans’ with classrooms across CMU-Q being decorated and named after comic book superheroes. On their first day, freshmen were asked to dress up as characters and encouraged to interact with classmates and staff members to gain an appreciation for university life and be inspired to take an active interest in future events. The program, which kicked off this week, eased the new students’ transition from high school to college through activities such as community service, a treasure hunt, ice-breaker games, karaoke, and a dinner.
eorgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) recently launched “Georgetown Mobile,” a free smartphone application that puts the university’s public access content at users’ fingertips. Developed in collaboration with Georgetown’s main campus in Washington DC, this university-wide initiative is aimed at providing information about Georgetown’s activities to a wide array of audiences. Available for download for Apple Store and Google Play, it is useful for members of the public, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, and both current and prospective students who interact with Georgetown’s campus and community. It can be set manually for the Qatar campus or by authorizing location access. The launch of the “Georgetown Mobile” app will now allow students to track the school’s transportation schedule, access the school’s library, as well as view the university’s extensive collection of research, news, and public lectures on video, directly from their mobile devices. “This is truly an exciting development for us. If someone missed seeing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at Georgetown in Qatar, or our Book Reading with Manal Omar or the climate change lecture series, now they can catch it all on their tablets and phones.” said Moamer Qazafi, GU-Q’s director of communications.
2013
issue 19
61
ADVERTORIAL
Splash celebrates fashion WITH SALMAN KHAN
Splash has announced Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan as its brand ambassador. The internationally acclaimed actor will be seen promoting the entire line-up of Splash clothing over the year-long association across various platforms of the brand and will be seen interacting with the wide audience that Splash caters to. Talking about the association, Salman Khan, said, “Splash is an amazing high street retailer with a very vast reach in the region. I am happy to be associated with Splash and we together look forward to a great journey.” Speaking about the recent association with the star, CEO of Splash, Raza Beig, said, “We are very excited to have star and style icon Salman Khan as the face of Splash in the Region. Our relationship with Salman dates back to when we launched ‘Being Human’ as part of our brand portfolio which now gets stronger. Salman is a brand and his appeal spans through generations, classes and nationalities particularly with the Arabs in the region where every personality of his is loved and revered by his fans.
Back to school with ECCO As schools reopen, ECCO makes saying good-bye to summer much easier with its new Back To School collection. The shoes come in different designs and styles for both boys and girls. There is a classic look and sporty look. ECCO Kids Uniform shoes feature soft outsoles and are anatomically shaped, so they take great care of young feet all day long – both in the classroom and on the playground. ECOO is available at Al Asmakh Mall in Al Sadd & Shoe Mart at City Center.
62
issue 19
2013