YOUSUF JASSEM AL DARWISH
SINDHU NAIR ABIGAIL MATHIAS AYSWARYA MURTHY
VENKAT REDDY M HANAN ABU SAIAM
SANDEEP SEHGAL ALPANA ROY
FREDRICK ALPHONSO SAKALA A DEBRASS SONY VELLATT JASMINE VICTOR
MATHEWS CHERIAN HASSAN REKKAB IRFAAN A H M DENZITA SEQUIRA
ADITYA KARKERA TANYA SHASTRI
PRATAP CHANDRAN BIKRAM SHRESTHA ARJUN TIMILSINA BHIMAL RAI, BASANTHA
AYUSH INDRAJITH MAHESHWAR REDDY B
M AY - J U N E 2 0 1 5
Erratum: The cover picture for our last issue Campus March April 2015 was kindly provided by Virginia Commonwealth Univerity Qatar. This wasn't made adequately clear and we regret the confusion.
ANOTHER ACADEMIC YEAR HAS COME TO A CLOSE. CAMPUS SALUTES THE GRADUATES FROM QATAR WHO SET FORTH TO MAKE THEIR MARK IN THE WORLD. GOALS, DREAMS AND AMBITION ARE JUST A FEW OF THE FACETS THEY TAKE WITH THEM ON THIS CONTINUING JOURNEY OF LIFE. WE MEET 18-YEAR-OLD SANA AL ANSARI WHO IS GENERATING QUITE A BUZZ WITH HER FIRST FILM. WE ALSO TALK TO THE PRODUCTION HOUSE BEHIND SNAPTV, QATAR’S FIRST WEB TV CHANNEL, REPORTING FROM THE MOST EXCITING EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY. EXPLORE WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE HOCKEY FIELD IN DOHA. AND THEN MEET A JOURNALISM MAJOR FROM NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY IN QATAR, WHO RECOUNTS HER EXPERIENCES DURING A RECENT SERVICE LEARNING TRIP IN ZAMBIA. THE ROAD TO DISCOVERY IS UNENDING. HOP ALONG FOR THE RIDE. HAPPY READING.
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. , P.O. Box 3272 Doha-Qatar. Tel: (+974) 44672139, 44550983, 44671173, 44667584. Fax: (+974) 44550982. Email: campus@omsqatar.com website: www.omsqatar.com
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GRADUATION GARB
This year, we decode the significance behind the graduation attire and traditions at some of the universities in Doha.
22 HOW TO SUCCEED IN YOUR FIRST JOB
ISSUE 28 MAY - JUNE 2015
The career experts at Bayt.com suggest five ways to help you succeed in your first job and make a smooth transition from college to career.
30 MISSION HARDCORE
Ex-British Army Physical Training Instructor, Jamie Thomas, suggests you step away from the weight machine to get the serious workout you are craving.
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THE FIRST CUT
THE DICHOTOMY OF A JOURNEY
Student filmmaker, 18-year-old Sana Al Ansari is generating quite a buzz with her first short If Only They Knew. We trace the journey of how she turned an idea into a film.
CUTTING THE STRINGS Aditya Karkera discusses net neutrality and illustrates compelling arguments from both sides of the divide.
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Graduation, as seen from the eyes of a poet.
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IT’S ALL SNAPPENING HERE! Campus talks to the production house behind SnapT V, Qatar’s first web T V channel, reporting from the most exciting events across the city.
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UNDER THE AFRICAN SUN Meher Mehtab, a Journalism Major at Northwestern University in Qatar, recounts her experiences during their most recent service learning trip.
CAMPUS NEWS
TAKREEM AWARDS HELD HAMAD BIN KHALIFA UNIVERSITY BROUGHT TOGETHER STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF FROM THE EDUCATION CITY COMMUNITY FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL TAKREEM AWARDS. The awards ceremony recognized achievements from the past academic year and served as a rallying point for community members to engage and inspire each other towards further success. This year, 12 awards were presented in the areas of leadership, community service, healthy sportsmanship, academic success, diversity, and sustainability. Ameena Hussain, Director of Student Life at HBKU, said, “Every year, I am amazed at the growth and breadth of new programs and activities initiated by students of HBKU and its partner universities. The Takreem
Awards is one way in which we wish to highlight the achievements of the Education City community as a whole and instill a sense of pride within those who study or work here.” She continued: “By taking a moment to pause and reflect on the past year, we not only celebrate our successes, but also identify where there is room for improvement. As a wider community, we want to be known not only for the academic rigor of our degrees and programs, but also for the talent, creativity, leadership, and altruism of our student bodies.”
THE ACS UPGRADE ACS DOHA CONTINUES PLANS TO DEVELOP A 2000+ STUDENT PURPOSE-BUILT SCHOOL THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACS IB CURRICULUM. As part of this vision, ACS Doha will introduce its first Grade 12 class in the next academic year, 2015-2016, in order to tackle capacity constraints faced by families at schools in Doha and enable seamless continuity of education for students at a single institution. Grade 12 students will complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a premium entrance qualification to universities around the world. ACS Doha’s first Grade 12 Class will graduate in May 2016.
WHAT A TREK CAN TEACH YOU A group of students from HBKU packed their bags and headed out for an unforgettable trip to Oman as part of an EBDA exercise which seeks to develop the future leaders of Qatar. Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and Maersk Oil Qatar’s experience-based leadership development program, EBDA, which saw a group of students summiting Kilimanjaro last years, took 30 students on a four-day journey, trekking across the stunning Jebel Akhdar mountain range in Northwest Oman. During the trip, the students were fully immersed in the natural mountain environment surrounding them, taking part in a variety of activities and challenges designed to test endurance and unlock their personal potential. Each day included a variety of challenging hands-on activities designed to help students discover and develop their potential to care for themselves, others and the world around them in unfamiliar settings.
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CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
In recognition of more than 40 different nationalities represented at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, students, alumni, staff and faculty recently attended the much-anticipated International Day on campus.
RECOGNIZED BY THE BEST ARAB ENGINEERING BUREAU PRESENTED THE 2015 AWARDS FOR CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT AND POTENTIAL AND DESIGN EXCELLENCE TO STUDENTS FROM VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY IN QATAR’S GRAPHIC AND INTERIOR DESIGN DEPARTMENTS.
ENGINEERING DREAMS
THROUGH THE YOUNG ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS PROGRAM SERIES BEING IMPLEMENTED BY TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AT QATAR, SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO CULTIVATE INTEREST IN THE STEM DISCIPLINES. Approximately 150 Qatari students participated in the program in April, and overall the Young Engineers and Scientists program is scheduled to engage more than 400 Qatari students in grades 5 and 6 this spring, said Jowaher Al Marri, program
stimulate their interest in math and science, said Dr Hamid R Parsaei, director of academic outreach and professor of mechanical engineering at Texas A&M at Qatar. “We are cultivating students’ interest in STEM disciplines by helping them
coordinator for STEM development for TAMU-Q. Supported by Maersk Oil, the program was developed by TAMU-Q in response to academic research that shows that engagement of young students can
understand how those fields relate,” said Parsaei. “We’ve changed the equation for putting students on educational pathways for math, science and engineering, and we started that process by making learning fun.”
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AEB’s CEO and Chief Architect Ibrahim Jaidah presented the Arab Engineering Bureau Award for Design Excellence in Graphic Design to Noor Al Thani, and Noha Fahmy for Design Excellence in Interior Design. These awards, granted to outstanding graduating seniors from VCUQatar’s Graphic Design and Interior Design Departments, were instituted eight years ago by Jaidah to encourage and assist graduating students as they start their careers as designers in Qatar and the region. The recently instituted Arab Engineering Bureau Award for Creative Achievement and Potential was presented to graphic design junior Hazem Asif and interior design junior Mark Bermejo. These awards aim at helping the junior students recognize their true potential, create leadership and encourage them to continue developing their skills through their senior year.
THE DICHOTOMY OF A JOURNEY BY TANYA SHASTRI
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And as time would have it, Every hello, met its goodbye,
Where this road shall take me, When all’s covered in this nasty fog,
What seems so final, shall be a dot, in a masterpiece,
Every meeting, met its farewell, Every journey, met its destination, Every story, its ending.
That’s hard to fathom, In this piercing blizzard, Insanity and beauty, blossom.
All endings and beginnings, Pieces of a long journey, A journey of life...
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SPOTLIGHT
GRADUATION GARB It’s that time of the year again. Considered as a rite of passage, graduation is a ceremonial occasion that is rich in tradition and marks a time of excitement and celebration. This year, we decode the significance behind the graduation attire and traditions at some of the universities in doha.
Are graduation gowns the modern-day versions of monks’ robes? What’s the story behind the oddly-shaped hat? What does the style of your hood say about your degree? Why do some schools have a ceremonial mace that leads the procession? We answer all these questions and more.
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Modern academic attire originated in the medieval universities of Europe, where gowns were worn daily to provide warmth in poorly heated buildings and to differentiate scholars from other citizens. Two English universities, Oxford and Cambridge, are particularly noted for developing the authentic academic costume, which has changed only slightly through the centuries.
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY IN QATAR CMUQ celebrated its eighth graduation ceremony, the largest in the history of the Doha campus, as 104 graduates representing 19 countries were awarded their diplomas in front of family, friends and the university community. The students were from the school’s business administration, information systems, computer science, and biological sciences streams.
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The gowns’ trim and sleeve design indicates the level of the degree. The bachelor’s gown has pointed sleeves and is worn closed; the master’s gown has oblong sleeves with an arc at the bottom and may be worn open or closed; and the doctor’s gown, worn open or closed, has velvet facings down the front and three velvet bars on the bell-shaped sleeves.
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY IN QATAR This year’s ceremony honored 41 graduating students from NU-Q’s journalism and communication programs. Members of the Class of 2015 hail from fifteen countries worldwide. Seventeen of the students graduated with academic honors, with ten students making the Dean’s List seven times. This cohort is particularly distinguished, having published in or worked for several prestigious publications, media and news companies including: Sports Illustrated, Financial T imes, Xinhua News Agency, New York T imes, Huffington Post and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Though the recommended color for gowns is black, Northwestern University (like many
the degree, the school that granted it, and the academic area. The bachelor’s hood, which is optional and not worn at Northwestern University, differs in length according to the degree, as does the velvet border of the hood. The hood is lined with silk in the official color of the school. At Northwestern the hood is lined in purple and gold. The color of the hood’s border – and at Northwestern the color of the cap’s tassel as well – indicates the academic area. Tassels feature the Northwestern seal signet and are worn on the left side at all times. Bachelor’s degree regalia include a souvenir stole. Caps are worn throughout the ceremony, except that men remove them for the national anthems. At Northwestern University members of honor societies may be recognized by the
institutions) has adopted a colored gown to reflect the school’s color. All participating candidates wear a custom purple gown featuring the University crest. Graduates of foreign universities wear gowns of various colors. The style of hood identifies the level of
honor cords, medallions, and stoles worn. The tassels and borders of the hoods are silver gray for the School of Communication and crimson for the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.
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The gonfalon, a flag that hangs from a crosspiece or frame, originated in the medieval republics of Italy as an ensign of state or office and has been adopted in many universities around the world as college or institutional insignias.
TEXAS A&M AT QATAR The school graduated its 600th engineer and 250th Qatari engineer this year. Among the 105 degrees awarded across four engineering graduates and its chemical engineering graduate program, almost 40% were to females who represented more than 20 countries. All graduates in Qatar are presented a maroon stole to wear with their commencement robes recognizing the unique heritage of their home institution and the shared mission with the State of Qatar. Meanwhile, undergraduates who complete the requirements for any of the distinctions are awarded a gold satin stole to wear with their commencement robes.
architecture professor Rodney Hill, this mace is supposed to be one of the most elaborate university maces in the world. The dome is a stylized version of an ancient Arabic dome and incorporates the Qatar emblem of the sword. A large pearl crowns the dome and approximately 140 pearls adorn the base, an ode to Qatar’s past. A quote from HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, “The sharing of knowledge, ideas and values is the noblest way to transcend barriers,� is written in Arabic and English and unites the flags of Qatar, the United States, and Texas. Majestic falcons separate the seals of Qatar, Texas, and Texas A&M. The handle incorporates agricultural elements from Qatar and Texas: carved date palm leaves top silver dates, the
The Texas A&M University at Qatar mace leads the procession at commencement and other ceremonial occasions. Historically, a mace was carried before or placed near a magistrate or dignitary as a sign of authority. Created and designed by Texas A&M
trunk of a carved palm tree is encircled with oak acorns and leaves are carved below the acorns. The intertwining limbs making up the foundation of the handle illustrate the strength and unity of combining the two campuses in Qatar and College Station.
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CAMPUS TALK
WINNING DESIGNS
Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar’s Fashion Design class of 2015 displayed an exciting range of original pieces for its annual fashion event.
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he eight graduating seniors presented individual collections that give rise to their own design identity; a jumping board to kick start their careers. The collections were shown over three days as part of VCUQatar’s annual fashion show hosted by Salam International at The Gate Mall. The show was themed Thread this year to represent the thread of international connections and creative collaborations, underlined by the presence of guest designer Stephane Rolland who opened the s how with four definitive pieces from his Haute Couture Spring Summer 2015 collection. Three senior fashion design students from VCU’s Richmond campus, Gabriels Villalon, Rene Velasquex and Haley Choi, were also invited to present their collections to strengthen this creative exchange. This year also marks an exciting partnership between our sister publication GLAM and VCUQatar in an effort to identify and nurture new fashion talents within Qatar. The inaugural GLAM New Talent Award recognizes one graduating student of outstanding aesthetics from a purely creative and design perspective. The award, presented to Malia Bennett Henry, encourages and promote innovation in pushing the limits of silhouettes, material and form manipulation beyond the ordinary or commercial demands. Malia also won The Salam Fashion Award which will provide commercial opportunity for her collections, while Maryam Al Darwish won the W Doha Award which will provide marketing endeavors by the W Hotel chain worldwide. Malia says, “Growing up I found that the best way I could express myself was
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Malia Bennett Henry with models wearing her designs. (Below) More creations by Malia
Some of the work of the graduating students showcased at the fashion show, Thread.
through art. Four years at VCUQatar made me realize that I am a designer of activism – that my forte is to bring my designs into contact with personal messages of struggle. I have come to know who I am. For my final collection, I feel it is necessary to follow through with this theme.” The collection discusses a subject that society continues to keep hidden depression. The expressive Jackson Pollack-like print was created using the monoprinting press – a collaboration with two students from the Painting and Printmaking department. Each print is unique and slowly progresses to angrier and more manic lines. Using knit meant that it would be constricting but still comfortable. Working with a precious swath of five-meter floral fabric that she procured on a trip to New York, Maryam Al Darwish reversed the creative process of designing the collection. Instead of mapping out a
incorporated in the collection either as belts, details and panels or as an entire shift dress made with just one meter of the fabric. “The prints are abstract floral and I wanted to give a modern take to nature,” she says. The seven-piece collection is a progressive story, each being a bigger challenge than the previous. “It had to capture the attention of the audience and keep them coming back to discover new perspectives,” she explains. A pastel colour palette was chosen to tone down the highly designed pieces and to capture the softness of Mother Nature. Maryam has already ventured into commercial design with her jewellery brand MBM’s Collection that is a favorite among Qataris for its unique use of tassels and beads. She has shown at Impression Boutique, and recently interned with local fashion label The Kayys. “I learned a lot during my time with the brand, especially the challenges and hard work that go into producing collection after
concept and then picking fabrics, she used the floral swath as the starting point to visualise the collection. The limited quantity of the material got her thinking on her feet to maximise every inch,
collection,” she relates. The designer will be looking into expanding MBM’s Collection after graduation, including the possibility of introducing a ready-to-wear line.
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YOUNG TURKS
THE FIRST CUT BY RYA AYSWA HY MURT
Student filmmaker, 18-year-old Sana Al Ansari, is generating quite a buzz with her first short If Only They Knew. We trace the journey of how she turned an idea turned into film. 18
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nspiration is, more often than not, serendipitous. Isn’t this why many of us often live out our lives without ever having felt it in our blood and bones? Luckily for Sana, the universe came together, at an opportune time, to nudge her into a new path full of promise. One was Ajyal Film Festival and the other was Qatar Foundation International’s Service Learning Conference. “During the film festival, I watched a film called Regret by Dave Schram that impacted me in a positive way,” says Sana. It gave her a new perspective on the power of the medium. She realized that she wanted to be able to do the same; she wanted to inspire others to think, to change. And she had a message that was close to her heart. “I was aware of the number of accidents that occurred in Qatar due to speeding by our youth every day. People were dying and families were affected. Through personal experiences, I could see what these accidents were doing to our community,” she says. Grappling with the problem of how to impact driver behavior and help the community, Sana knew the answer could lie in film. “When researching this topic, I noticed that many films were about car accidents and what happened to the driver and occupants. What I haven’t seen before is a film depicting about what happens to the family, friends and acquaintances of the people involved in the accident and how it affects them as well as the people directly involved in the accident.” Around the same time, another event helped her turn this idea into reality. “I applied to Qatar Foundation International and was accepted to attend the National Service-Learning Conference in Washington, DC in April, 2014 where I pitched my idea about making a film to raise awareness about the impact of speeding. I was encouraged to go ahead with the project and the help I received in developing it motivated me to start my project,” she says, talking about the origins of If Only They Knew. Once she returned to Qatar, she partnered up with the Doha Film Institute who helped her develop the script, shoot and edit the film. For first-time filmmaker Sana, this was a lot to chew on. “I didn’t even KNOW how to write a script and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing!” she exclaims. “I had to learn so many things – camera angles, script writing, shot lists, blocking, finding a location and actors/actresses to be in my film. It was a challenge to find female actresses to act in my movie because, as you may know, there aren’t a lot of women who act in Doha. But the two that volunteered – Zarah Al Ansari and Wiaam Al Semary – did a wonderful job!” Sana says she loved each and every step of the process. “First I worked on the idea and wrote a script. Then DFI encouraged me to develop the script. After that, I worked on shooting the film. The final step was the editing. I worked with a different team each step of the way and they were so professional; all along the way, they were very positive and supportive of me. They encouraged me to do my best and think out of the box. I really didn’t realize it took so much effort and time to make even a short 6:35-minute film, like mine,” she says. Sana can’t say enough nice things about DFI. “First, I would like to thank HH Sheikha Mayyasa for creating these wonderful programs for our youth. We are truly fortunate to be able to learn and create under the programs that she has inspired. Also, I would like to thank Mrs Fatima Al Rumaihi, for this wonderful opportunity, as well as all the many devoted and loyal employees that I have worked with to create this film,” she says. DFI too had wonderful things to say about her. At the
Sana shoots a moving scene between two mothers
Sana presenting her film at EMPOWER
“I was aware of the number of accidents that occurred in Qatar due to speeding by our youth every day. People were dying and families were affected. Through personal experiences, I could see what these accidents were doing to our community.” 2015
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end they told Sana that she had “raised the bar” for all first-time film makers. “That was quite a compliment for me!” she gushes. Sana debuted her film at Reach Out to Asia’s (ROTA) EMPOWER Conference in Doha in March 2015. “It was an honor that they allowed me to show my film for the first time. I was anxious to see how my film went over with the audience of over 500 youths the same age as me! I was really hoping it would make an impact!” And it was a huge success! Sana was blown over by all the compliments and positive feedback about the film. “Many got emotional during the viewing of it, which is what I was hoping for! I hope that my message stays with the audience long after they see it!” she says. After EMPOWER, it was time to go back where it all began – Washington, DC. “I flew to the National Youth Leadership Conference in April 2015, where I was invited by QFI to conduct a workshop about my film as my service learning project. A large group of participants viewed my film and had many great things to say about it as well. There were many questions about the film, where it was shot, how did I go about doing the film, what made me do this particular topic, etc. Abdul Aziz Haddod, one of the main characters in the film, was also at the conference and the workshop, so it was a privilege to have him there as a support for the film. I was very excited to show my film there as it was then exposed to an international audience of youth as well! So you might say that my film is international now!” she smiles. But the film’s journey, and the reach of its message, is far from over. Sana has been submitting her film to a few film festivals around the world starting with Northwestern University Qatar’s Thimun Film Festival in April 2015. It was her very first submission and she was beyond thrilled when she was nominated for three awards - Best National Film, Best Editing and Best Sound. “I never expected to win an award, let alone the Best National Film Award! I was surprised and pleased. I did this film to help my community, not to win awards. One might say that it was like the ‘frosting on the cake.’” For Sana the win is doubly sweet as she has been accepted to study Communications at NU-Q in the Fall. Meanwhile, she is hoping to submit the film to Giffoni Film Festival in July this year. “I attended this festival last year as a Juror and I would love to return to the festival as the director of my first film,” she says. From there, who knows where else If Only They Knew will go. For Sana, final year student at Raba’a Al Adawiya Girls Secondary School, it’s been a hectic year. “One of the most challenging parts of making the film was balancing it with studying for my school. The final year of high school is so tough - the exams, TOEFL, SAT, university applications. Meanwhile, I was also working on the film. I had to find lots of energy to keep things running smoothly,” she says, looking back. But it’s now time to reap the rewards for all her hard work and perseverance. “Any goal is hard work,” she says matter of factly. “Working towards it can be grueling, but in the end, it is so rewarding! I am very proud of what I have accomplished. I hope that many people will see my film and think about how they drive on our roads. I think ‘enough is enough’ when it comes to youth deaths in Qatar! We want to reduce these rates! Think before you drive recklessly because your parents, as well as your siblings and family members, are waiting for you at home. Don’t ruin their lives as well as your own by careless and reckless driving,” she reminds us.
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A pivotal scene where the protagonist wakes up at the hospital after the accident. (Below) The film's poster
"I was very excited to show my film in Washington, DC, as it was then exposed to an international audience of youth as well! So you might say that my film is international now!”
Park House sponsors Doha Hockey Club.
HOCKEY
A COMMUNITY GAME BY L ABIGAI S MATHIA
While most teenagers are pacing the shopping malls of Doha, 16-year-old Beth McConnell and 14-year-old Gina Kings prefer to spend their time on a hockey field. 2015
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Daisy looks for an opening in front of the goal.
Sophie Hanades passing the ball during a game.
Simon Burgess is a first-grade English premier league player.
Ex-Doha Hockey Club chairman and ex-Scottish junior international Colin Milton at full stride.
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he teens play for the Doha Hockey Club. “I had been playing for four years in the UK before coming to Qatar. I first started hockey because of my best friend. I started to really enjoy it and gradually began playing with the adult, all-women team,” says McConnell. The Doha Hockey Club was started by a group who purely wanted to promote the game in this city. “Founded in 2007 as an offshoot of an after-school program we initially had seven members who played on the astroturf which was built for the 2006 Asian Games,” says Chris Davey, treasurer for the group and one of its founding members. In 2008 the Qatar Hockey Federation was formed and Doha Hockey Club was a founding club that played in the first Qatar Hockey League. Since then the club has played in each of the hockey leagues since then, fielding 2 or 3 teams in the tournaments. The primary focus of the group is social hockey; to enjoy the game in a social environment, improve fitness and enrich the experience of working and living in Qatar. The club is also extremely active on
The original club committee comprised Davey, Gus MacDonald and John Warren. Richard Milton became the club chairman this year. “Currently we are playing in the Qatar Hockey League Indoor Tournament on Friday afternoons which runs over six weeks. This is in addition to regular training on Tuesday evenings at Park House School and Saturday mornings at the German school,” says Davey. The club met a roadblock when the astroturf pitches at Al Rayyan were removed to make way for the new stadium. Thanks to the support of its new sponsor, the Park House Community Program they have a new venue to practise. Milton says, “After the uncertainty of losing our home we are very grateful to the Park House Community Program for the support and assistance to the club.” Doha’s hockey club is made up of players of all ages. “Our youngest player this season is 10 years old and the oldest has been 67,” says Davey, adding that, “Nationalities vary too – mainly European, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and from Asia we have players from Malaysia, India and Pakistan.” There is also a range of playing ability. “We have had a number of ex-international
the international hockey tour circuit, sending teams to play at tournaments in Dubai and Singapore in recent years. It also hosted the first two editions of the Qatar 6s international tournament with visiting teams from Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Sudan. However, the Doha Hockey Club has yet to win the Qatar 6s.
and European first-grade hockey players play with the club over the years and some beginners who have picked up a stick for the first time.” McConnell says, “My mother found out about DHC when we moved to Doha. My sister and I went along to training and we
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Ex-chairman Andy Funnel, Daisy, Cesy Clark and Wendy Morris getting ready for training at the Park House School pitch.
HOCKEY FACTS At the 2012 London Olympic Games, field hockey was the third most watched sport. Men’s field hockey has the fastest swing speed out of any sport, even golf or baseball, at 103 mph. There are no left-handed sticks in field hockey and players may use only one side of the stick. Celebrities Heath Ledger, Emma Watson, and Jennifer Lawrence were avid field hockey players growing up. Field hockey is known simply as “hockey” in most of the world except the USA and Canada. Players travel more than five miles during the course of a field hockey match. Field hockey is the national sport of Holland and Holland’s women’s team won the gold medal at this summer’s Olympic Games. The British Army helped spread field hockey throughout the British Empire, which explains its popularity in India, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand.
enjoyed it but it is different from England because here we play mixed hockey and the pace is a lot quicker. I have had to improve my strength as a result. There aren’t as many players or facilities in Doha as there are in the UK but playing outside at Park House has been great fun and has made us all develop our skills. My sister and I feel welcome – it is good to get to know people from different backgrounds and ages.” This is a game where the entire family participates or comes to cheer. “Hockey is a very family-oriented sport with fathers playing with sons and mothers with daughters. Currently we have a lot of parents playing with their children which makes for some interesting competition with the younger generation trying to compete with the older one,” says Davey. The months ahead look promising. “We are in regular contact with Dubai Hockey Club and are currently planning a ladies’ tournament in Oman between the Gulf Countries,” says Davey. In September the club will be travelling to Dubai for a men’s and ladies’ tournament against teams from the UAE and Muscat. “Next year we plan to return to Hong Kong for their sixes tournament in April - hopefully we will enter a youth team too,” he adds. Last year, the club sent a ladies team to Dubai to play the Dubai ladies which they won. “We also sent a team to play in the Hong Kong 6s tournament,” says Davey. Factoring in the heat, a lot of the hockey tournaments are held indoors. “We have worked hard this year to develop our players’ indoor skills as playing indoor hockey has been a new challenge for a
the South of Wales so I plan to train as much as possible in Doha so that when I return I can trial for the Welsh squad.” She adds, “Playing with DHC provides a variety of challenges because of the range of age and skill. DHC is also a really nice community and a place to make new friends. Transferring from Swansea to DHC has been a wild but amazing challenge.” Katherine Milton has been the captain of the ladies team for the past two years. She played club hockey in the UK since she was 12
lot us,” says Davey. Gina Kings is the goalkeeper of the Doha Hockey Club. She says, “I had been playing for seven years before I came to Doha. I started as an outfield player, then I was asked to play as goalkeeper and I fell in love with the position. I now represent Swansea Bay HC based in
years old. The 28-year-old captain says, “It is great to see ladies’ hockey on the rise in Doha. Families can get involved by contacting us through the website and coming along to training sessions to meet the committee. We have held social events for junior players throughout the year to ensure they feel a part of the club.”
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CAREER TRIVIA
HOW TO SUCCEED IN YOUR FIRST JOB When you’re in college, you think that the job search process is the most difficult thing in the world. But then you land your first job and realize that getting the job is much easier than being successful in it.
THE CAREER EXPERTS AT BAYT.COM SUGGEST FIVE WAYS TO HELP YOU SUCCEED IN YOUR FIRST JOB AND MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM COLLEGE TO CAREER.
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LOVE WHAT YOU DO
The key to excel at your job is to love it. We’ve been told that in order to live happily, we must keep looking for that ideal job. But the truth is that there is no perfect job; we need to adapt ourselves to anything we do. As a fresh graduate, if you get a really good – but low-paid – job offer, go for it. The experience you’ll gain is much more important than the money you’ll get. Or maybe you’ll get an offer in a different field. In this case, don’t hesitate to accept it. Who knows? It is possible that you will find your passion in a totally different field.
NEVER LOSE YOUR DRIVE AND AMBITION
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The first year of your career can be extremely overwhelming; you will probably face many problems and challenges that can negatively affect your personal wellness and job satisfaction. Remember, not every day is going to be a good day. You may feel lost or sad at times, but it is important not to let your challenges get the best of you. Don’t get discouraged when things don’t go your way and find ways to always stay motivated and productive. Yes, you can’t control everything around you, but you can manage stress and use it to your advantage. It can be useful to have a mentor who is more experienced. Look for someone you truly respect and has the kind of life you’d like to have.
03 05 04 KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS
Don’t be afraid to ask questions even if they seem stupid to you. Remember you are just getting started in your career and you don’t have any work experience. But don’t be overly needy. Avoid leaning on your manager for every little thing and try to figure things out on your own. It’s ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them and don’t repeat them again.
BE RESPECTFUL AND KIND TO EVERYONE
Respect is the most important asset that differentiates professionals from non-professionals. Make sure to maintain good relationships with your managers and colleagues and take the initiative to help others when needed. Say “thank you” and “I’m sorry”. Showing gratitude is the simplest way to feel better. It will not only lead to great work relationships, but it will also increase productivity and efficiency at work.
BE FLEXIBLE
As a fresh graduate, you may be asked to do tasks that aren’t really related to your job. Don’t hesitate to take risks and try new things. In fact, those tasks could benefit you in ways that you may not even realize. No experience is ever wasted; you may discover some hidden skills or talents you never thought you had. On the other hand, you should also learn when to say "no" to a task when required. As a fresh graduate, you may find it hard to say no - especially to your boss. But in truth, your manager will understand your assertiveness. Good news is, 7 in 10 professionals across the region feel comfortable enough to voice their opinion to their managers, as per the Bayt.com ‘Employee Engagement in the MENA’ poll from April 2014.
Finally, make sure you separate your personal life from work and only allow the professional you to come to the office every day.
Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 40,000 employers and over 20,000,000 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.
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ADITYA KARKERA DISCUSSES NET NEUTRALITY AND ILLUSTRATES COMPELLING ARGUMENTS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE DIVIDE.
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n the eve of Indian independence, India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called the moment that India would break free from centuries-old colonial shackles, one that “comes rarely”, and a point in history when “the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.” Last month, as one million e-mails flooded into the servers of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), it was clear that another such moment had made a resurgence. Only this time, Indians weren’t breaking free from foreign colonial masters, but indigenous ones. Those one million e-mails were indeed the utterance of a nation’s denizens, long suppressed, calling for net neutrality. But what is net neutrality? A more important question would be – why is net neutrality such a divisive topic? To start with the basics, a quick definition of net neutrality would be the complete emancipation of the internet from any and all forms of regulation, control, or unilateral modification. Complete internet independence, where the internet is shaped by those who use it, and not those who help facilitate it. A good analogy would be the cutting of a puppet’s strings, and letting it act on its own. But that very analogy can be interpreted in widely different ways, and finding common ground is extremely difficult. I spoke to a few students here in Qatar on net neutrality, and compared their views to older acquaintances of mine. A sharp divide came when they were asked what “cutting the strings” off the internet would mean for the world. Two of these answers, one from each camp, really help us understand the entire ecosystem of this debate. The first answer was from an Indian student, Hari Krishna, right here in Doha.
protection. Now the politicians want to take that away too. We need to cut the strings, because something as powerful as the internet does not deserve to be a puppet,” he says. Business interests and large internet corporations are bound to collude with the government to tighten control of the internet, so as to maximise profits. This, in
effect, creates a cartel – a terrible kind of corporate control that can only exist because there is no alternative to the internet,
they are the individuals that make up most of the internet’s users and are most affected by the freedom of the internet. In fact, young people feel frustrated at the fact that the way their generation uses the internet has to be decided by a generation that didn’t know what the internet was till they entered their 40s. But this view is starkly contrasted by the opinion of Peter Jenkins, who I met at TEDxBirlaPublicSchool. Here’s what he said to me in an e-mail: “Cutting the strings would be disastrous. Puppets can’t think, and the first thing that’d happen is that it’d fall down to the ground, with no ability to save itself from smashing into tiny pieces. It’s just fall lifelessly. The internet is not some conscious puppet like Pinocchio, it’s a very much unconscious one that needs strings to exist.” While being a wonderful nexus of information, the internet is also a vile and nasty place filled with scum as despicable as they are frightening. From child pornography and black market drug sales, to the co-ordination of terrorist activities, the internet is capable of far more horrible things than allowing you to access Facebook. The more the government can ably control the internet, the safer countless people can be. But where is the line between control and abuse? It thus comes down to a contrast between those who use the internet, and those who are affected by the internet. It would be unfair to sacrifice the views of one camp to guarantee security, or the other to guarantee liberty. The only solution is a balance between these divided views. Governments must use their powers judiciously. We shouldn’t cut the strings, but neither should we let them be as strong. What we need are transparent strings that hold governments accountable for their actions and regulation of the internet. Because, at the end of the
“Net neutrality is the need of our globalised civilisation. While politicians spew hate and divide us, it’s only the internet that allows us to be united citizens of one world, sharing ideas and information with anonymity and
something telecom companies are more than aware of. This student’s views are in sync with the views of a majority of young people who want the internet to remain free, because
day, by infringing upon the basic freedoms that the internet provides, governments everywhere are hoping to control the very thing that defines the internet –v its uncontrollability.
“Cutting the strings would be disastrous. Puppets can’t think, and the first thing that’d happen is that it’d fall down to the ground, with no ability to save itself from smashing into tiny pieces. It’d just fall lifelessly. The internet is not some conscious puppet like Pinocchio, it’s a very much unconscious one that needs strings to exist.”
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Sporting the If you are looking to kickstart your sport and fitness regime, we’ve got a few places in Doha that offer some interesting alternatives.
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unusual Archery is held at the Doha Shooting and Archery Association, also known as the Lusail Shooting Club. Karate is known to help with self-defence, confidence and coordination and can be learnt from a young age. The Karate Academy in Doha offers regular classes through the week. There are also judo and kick-boxing options. Billiards or pool, as it is popularly known, is a great competitive game. Contact the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Association for details. Do you play any alternative sport? Share your thoughts and images on Campus' Facebook page.
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UNDER THE AFRICAN SUN MEHER MEHTAB, A JOURNALISM MAJOR AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY IN QATAR, RECOUNTS HER EXPERIENCES DURING THEIR MOST RECENT SERVICE LEARNING TRIP.
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ur trip to Zambia earlier this year was an exotic experience for the entire group of 12 students. This trip was introduced to us as a week of volunteering and giving, not as a trip of tourism. Nonetheless, it was an incredible experience, living amidst this new culture like a local and not a foreigner. This being my first trip to an African country, I was determined and motivated to educate myself about a region that I have only seen reported about on television, and also to be a resourceful member to my group and the organization we were volunteering with. Before leaving for the trip we had an extended pre-departure program, which helped us be extremely prepared and also
interpersonal skills. For this trip, our team collaborated with IVHQ-Zambia, which recruits volunteers from all over the world. As a theme for the trip, we explored the Global Water Crisis. As a result, we hosted a charity fundraiser in which all the proceedings were provided to Charity: Water. Our fundraising scheme revolved around a Chilli Challenge. The idea for this was inspired from the ALS ice bucket challenge. Everyone taking the challenge had to eat a chilli without water and then nominate people to take the challenge or donate to Charity: Water. The point was basically to place people in a situation where they needed water and didn’t have access to it. Through this challenge we were able to reach our mark of $2,164 or QR7,879 of
ranged from an online blog to sound podcasts and personal blogs. Once our pre-departure activities were over, we were all excited to start our adventure. Upon landing we were greeted by our warm, welcoming hosts, Kennedy and Rebecca, who were equally happy and excited to get us started on our trip. One of the first things lined up for us was an excursion to the village. Not only did this trip show us the difficulties that villagers have to go through in their daily lives but it was also an amazing opportunity to mingle with them. We danced and clapped along to their local songs as the women sang to us. This culturally rich experience set us in high spirits for our volunteer work that started the next day.
was very useful for our team building. As a team, all of us set the collective objective of giving back to the community. On an individual level, I decided to use this opportunity to cultivate my leadership and
donations. In addition to fundraising, we were also assigned a media project of our choice. These self-chosen projects were to be completed during or after the trip and
Malota Community School was a very small place with two rooms and a tent that catered to almost 300 students from 8 am to 5 pm. We were helping them build their third classroom. Everyday in the morning
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The students help teach Grades 4 and 5 at the Molota Cumminuty School.
we helped the construction workers with plastering walls and floors, and in the afternoons we would help the teachers teach grade 4 and 5. My favorite part of the day was being greeted by all the students
back to our house and prepare for our Nyanja lessons, which is the local language of Zambia. These lessons were not only incredibly helpful but were also very entertaining as we struggled to get our
felt as we were greeted with love everyday? How does one quantify the amount of respect we have for all the women who carry their children on their backs bound in a piece of cloth as they make food for the rest
everytime we stepped out of our van, being hugged and pulled through the crowds by some of them; these little gestures warmed our hearts. After our volunteer work, we would go
diction correct and learned nursery rhymes together. To be asked to put this experience into words is not only unfair but impossible. How does one put into words the happiness we
of the family? Or how do we talk about how inspired we were by everything that place had to teach? Simply put, it was an honor being a part of the Service Learning Trip 2015 team.
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HEALTH & FITNESS
MISSION HARDCORE Ex-British Army Physical Training Instructor, Jamie Thomas, suggests you step away from the weight machine to get the serious workout you are craving. Along with these four advanced bodyweight exercises, he recommends some less intensive alternatives for those just starting out. Jamie is currently the senior trainer at the Strongbox gym and head coach at Crossfit Quwwa Pearl. For any enquiries contact Jamie.thomas@fitnessqatar.com or Instagram him @jay_tee_training
With bodyweight exercises, the body has complete freedom of movement rather than being locked into a specific range of motion or pattern like with a weight machine. This allows your body to do what it is naturally built to do, stabilizing muscles through compound movements and keeping the joints healthy and fully operational. It also gives you the option of training anywhere, without depending on expensive machines. Below are four advanced bodyweight exercises and their easier alternatives.
THE RING DIP
PHOTOS BY ROB ALTAMIRANO
Gymnastics rings are not just for gymnasts or CrossFitters. They help simultaneously build strength, stability, and coordination like no other apparatus and require more control, tension and effort. In the start position, the arms should be completely straight without resting against the straps. From here maintain a tight torso and bend the elbows, lowering the chest to the top of the rings. Once the tricep muscles are parallel to the floor, fully extend the arms, locking out at the elbows until the body is returned to the original starting position.
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THE EXTREME: To make this exercise even more challenging, simply add weight by using a dipping belt or a dumbbell between the legs.
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HAND STAND PUSH UPS You need extreme strength and balance to master this movement because your upper body bears 100% of your body weight. The handstand pushup uses the same muscle mechanics as a shoulder press but with greater emphasis on balance and core. Place the hands approx 6-12 inches away from the wall and slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Make sure palms are facing forward, or slightly turned out. Kick up into a full handstand, with your heels touching the wall. Once you have kicked up, ensure that the torso is squeezed tight in order to maintain a tight midline. Whilst maintaining this position, lower until the top of the head touches the floor. Try to keep your elbows at a 45 degree angle as you lower. Once your head touches the floor, press up through the hands, fully extending the arms until the elbows reach full extension. THE EXTREME: To make the movement more difficult you can place your hands onto parralletes or kettlebells and execute deficit hand stand pushups.
THE ALTERNATIVE: The regression for the handstand pushup is the box handstand push up. Using a box or chair you can create a similar angle to the full movement whilst supporting the body in a more stable position . The closer your hands are to the box the more upright your torso is, the closer this will feel to a full handstand pushup. Place your feet on a sturdy box / household object and incline at the hips such that there is a right angle between the legs and the torso. Lower the head as far as possible (aiming at touching the floor) under complete control, before reversing the movement by fully extending the arms and elbows and returning to the starting position, whilst using the box for stability at all times.
THE ALTERNATIVE:
The regression for the ring dip is the standard bench/chair dip. Start with body upright and hands gripping the edge of the chair/bench or ledge. Arms and legs are straight and fully extended with heels on the floor. Perform the dip by bending the elbows and lowering the body so that triceps become parallel to the ground with a 90-degree angle at the elbows, ensuring that you maintain a tight posture. From here straighten the arms and fully extend the elbows to return to the starting position. To change the amount of weight supported by your triceps, simply bend the knees and switch your foot position from heels to the soles of your feet.
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TOES TO RINGS
The new way to focus on your abdominal muscles, Toes to Rings not only places incredible demands on your core, it also builds your grip, arm, and shoulder strength. Grab hold of the rings, wrapping your thumbs for a secure grip. Squeeze both your butt and abs, creating a “hollow-body� position where your feet are slightly in front of your torso. From this position drive your knees upwards towards your elbows, then extend your legs, kicking your feet toward the rings as they rise until toes are pointing through the rings. From the finish position lower the legs under control, keeping your abs and core squeezed until they return to the start position. If you do not have access to rings you can do this exercise on a pull up bar.
THE ALTERNATIVE:
A regression to the toes to rings movement is supported knee raises. Place your hands onto two boxes or sturdy objects with arms fully extended and feet resting on the floor. Squeeze the abs tight, keep the chest up and then raise the knees as high as you can whilst maintaining full lock-out in the arms. From this position slowly lower the knees under control until the feet are touching the floor.
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PULL UP
The pull-up is a great functional movement and compound exercise and is one of the most beneficial overall muscle and strength developers. Stand under the bar and grab it with both hands. Your palms should be facing away from you with hands shoulder-width apart. Use a standard overhand grip, wrapping your thumbs around the bar so that they almost meet the tips of your fingers. When you hang from the bar, your arms should be fully extended with your core engaged and shoulders back. Build strength by keeping form in mind as you pull; it’ll help you avoid swinging, kicking, and jumping, which means that
you’ll be using your muscles, not momentum, to master the move. Pull the elbows down to your sides as your entire body travels toward the bar. Resist the urge to strain your neck in an attempt to break the plane of the bar with your chin. Continue to pull until your chin clears the bar with ease, at which point the upward phase of the pull-up is complete. Each and every rep should begin with a notable depression and retraction of the shoulders. This tightens up the back muscles and prepares you for a proper pull. Maintain a firm grip on the bar and then slowly lower your arms to full extension to return to the start position.
THE EXTREME: To make this movement even harder, simply add weight by using a dipping belt or dumbbell between the legs. THE ALTERNATIVE: If the full pull-up movement is too difficult it can be regressed into the inverted row exercise. Position a barbell in a rack to approximate waist height. You can also use a Smith machine. Take a wider than shoulder width grip on the bar and position the body underneath the bar. The body should be straight with heels on the ground and arms fully extended. This is the starting position. Contract the abs, and try to keep the body in a completely straight line. Flex the elbows and pull the chest towards the bar, retracting the shoulder blades as you perform the movement. Once the chest has touched the barbell, slowly lower and extend the arms until the body is returned to the start position. To make the movement easier simply bend the knees and place the soles of the trainers flat on the floor to reduce the amount of bodyweight being pulled.
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TECH TALK
DINE IN WITH COOK Apple CEO Tim Cook is auctioning an opportunity to lunch with him at his Cupertino headquarters, with the proceeds going towards supporting RFK Human Rights. He has been doing this for the last three years but as a new addition this year, the highest bidder will also have the opportunity to be Cook’s personal guest at an Apple Keynote event. This is by no means cheap; bidding started at $10,000 and is now at $200,000.
IN MEMORIAM
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Silicon Valley was rocked by two unexpected deaths
View camera to the summit. More recently, David
last month. A senior Google executive, Dan Fredinburg, tragically lost his life during an avalanche that swept through the Everest Base Camp. Head of privacy for Google X, Fredinburg was involved in several Google projects on Everest, including taking a Street
Goldberg, CEO of Surveymonkey and husband of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, died from unknown causes when the couple was on holiday. Goldberg was a beloved figure in the tech community and many took to Twitter to express their shock and grief.
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BEFORE YOU BUY THE APPLE WATCH The Apple watch has attracted diverse opinions on its perceived applications and value. IHS Technology tore down the device to estimate its bill of materials. According to their study, the watch costs about $83.70 to manufacture. That is 24% of its retail price of $349. Of course, this doesn’t factor in the costs of software, licensing, royalties, or research and development. Maybe they should have invested more in R&D because soon after the launch HQ was flooded with complaints that tattoos on the skin interfere with the smartwatch’s functions. “Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance,” Apple’s support page said. “The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings.” Well, the watch probably doesn’t look good against a tattooed wrist anyway!
SNAPCHAT GETS TOUGH ON THIRD PARTY APPS
YOUTUBE TURNS 10
The service provider is cracking down on external apps that have managed to find ways to work in tandem with Snapchat and let you save the messages that are sent to you, defeating the whole purpose of the service. This comes on the heels of the photo leak the company suffered last October, when one of those apps was breached and photos from
Almost 10 years ago “Me at the Zoo” was first uploaded on YouTube, then a relatively unknown video-sharing site in beta mode. Co-founder Jawed Karim takes a stroll across the elephant cages and makes an eloquent speech about their trunks. Today, that site has grown to become the biggest video platform on the Web with a community of more than one billion people, hundreds of millions of hours of video watched and billions of views generated every day. “It is one of the largest and most diverse collections of self-expression in history,” YouTube said in a blog post. So, in honor of
Snapchat users were exposed. Snapchat not only works with Apple and Google to try to block apps in their stores that violate Snapchat’s terms of service, but also started cracking down on users who install such apps.
its 10th birthday, YouTube is celebrating the creators who helped turn it into a global phenomenon. Every day for the next 26 days, the production team will look back at some of YouTube’s most memorable moments – from A to Z.
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WHAT’S COOL
NATURAL BEAUT Y The French make-up line UNE recently launched its products in Qatar. The products are made of natural materials. We particularly loved the lipstick shades which are made of shea butter and offer moist lips to wearers. Shades of cherry, brown and maroon are some of the colors on offer. The line's mineral foundation has won over consumers since its launch. It is fragrance-free and evens and corrects skin tone and offers a unique glow thanks to pure micronised pigments. Its texture lets the skin breathe, reveals its beauty and maintains the comfort of the wearer. Over time and when tired, the complexion sometimes needs a little helping hand or perhaps a magic wand. Skin-glow concealer brightens areas of shadow and attracts the light; on bare skin or after applying foundation, it illuminates in a single step for a dazzling result. The products are available in Doha at shopping outlet Monoprix.
JUST BREATHE Color Ritual, the new nail polish from Wow by Woojoh make-up line offers a chance for your nails to breathe easy. With a unique, porous chip-resistant formula that allows your nails to breathe while delivering a gorgeous glossy or edgy matte finish depending on which anti-chip topcoat you choose, you can swap your nail color as often as your outfit. It is also enriched with a UV filter to prevent discoloration and yellowing. Not tested on animals and containing no animal-derived ingredients, Color Ritual Breathe-in Nail Polish is now available in 30 shades, exclusively at Wojooh outlets across the Middle East.
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SPORT ING LEGACY In 1985 leading sports brand Puma signed a 17-year-old German tennis player who was just emerging on the scene. That man was Boris Becker. He went on to become the youngest and first unseeded player ever to win Wimbledon. Resplendent in his signature Puma-mid tops and distinctive style of play, Becker became a household name and popularised the sport and the sporting brand. This year Puma celebrates the 30th anniversary of his victory with signature sports shirts and tennis shoes.
SHIMMERY LIPS Make-up experts at Sephora have launched two lip powder top coats in metallic gold and silver shades to apply over any lipstick, allowing them to be personalized with an intense metallic sheen. Lightly dust this loose powder onto the center of lips to perfectly replicate the year’s hottest magazine make-up looks. To transform lips with a glossy look try the transparent gel shine top coat to apply over any lipstick to enhance the shine of its color.
COOL COLORS Accent your spring wardrobe with six stylish, irresistible new shades in the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure collection. From killer jade green pumps to the hottest blue leather handbag of the season, these color selections are the absolute "it" shades of the spring fashion lineup. Earth tones, saturated greens/blues and vibrant floral hues are the shades that are hot now, and they are going directly onto your nails thanks to this all-in-one manicure revolution.
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GET GADGETY
DORKY GIFTS
Saying goodbye is never easy. Especially after you have spent every waking moment of the last few years together. But ease the pain of separation with these fun, entirely useless gifts that will also help your friends remember you with a smile.
FAKE ARM SELFIE STICK There is simply no excuse for this contraption. It’s exactly what it says on the box – a selfie stick that is shaped like a human arm. Now when you take a picture, it can look like you are holding a friend’s hand who is photographing you instead of seeming like another obsessed narcissistic selfie-taker. Of course those in your vicinity might be confused by the dismembered limb. Just don’t even bother explaining it. There is no way you can.
SLEEPING BAG WITH LEG PANTS The picture kind of says it all, doesn’t it? What more can we add. Man’s pursuit to stay warm has given us many wonderful innovations; this is just another chapter in the proud lineage.
LAPTOP COMPUBODY SOCK Are you a little tired of lookie-loos in the bus? Looking for a deeper sensory immersion within your cyber experience? Something that keeps you cozy as well as focused? This bizarre piece of clothing will do the trick. Though it seems to be crafted as a tool of satire or social commentary, like the selfie hand, you can totally knit it yourself with the help of online instructions.
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BANANA HOLDER Many times in life you might need to carry a banana around without harming it. Whether as a gift to that special someone or even as a treat to yourself to enjoy at leisure, a bruised banana is no good to anybody. You can now safely transport your banana around in a genuine leather holder, either by attaching it to your bike or, to be cooler still, to your belt. Win!
FORK WITH PIZZA CUTTER Remember how you make fun of people who eat pizza with a knife and fork (you don’t? Okay, you should start right away. It’s so silly). Well, that’s nothing compared to this gem. The built-in pizza roller helps chop up the pie into manageable pieces which can be picked up by the fork. Actually, it seems like a nifty idea. But use in public at your own risk.
GIANT COFFEE MUG All of us have that one friend who is a coffee fiend. If you don’t then it’s probably you! The giant porcelain coffee cup, 9 inches tall and 11 inches in diameter, holds 20 regular sized cups (or 4 liters) of coffee. Enough to keep you awake for seven years!
YEAR-LONG CLOCK This analog clock will make one revolution in 365 days. It’s of practical use to nobody., not even those in a coma. You can look at the colors and tell what season you are currently in. Or, here’s a radical idea... You can look out the window. By hey, it’s the world’s first annual clock and also look how pretty it is!
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It’s all SNAPpening here! Campus talks to the production house behind SnapTV, Qatar’s first web TV channel, reporting from the most exciting events across the city.
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A complete multimedia SnapTV team.
“W
hen was the last time you sat in front of a television?” asks Walid Sakr, Managing Director and owner of WS Production, and we could honestly say we don’t remember. And it’s highly likely we are looking at the future of television – short bytes of entertainment for the attentionchallenged, fast-paced life of today. For Qatar, it is certainly a first. Nine years after he first started WS Productions with QR3,000 in his pocket and one employee (himself), the company has grown into a 41-people strong entity with activities spanning equipment rentals, production logistics, post-production and, most recently, the country's first web-based TC channel. SnapT V was the brain child of Carlo Yan who joined forces with WS Productions three months ago to launch this new-age entertainment avenue. “We adopted his concept and helped make it real with technological, financial, legal and logistic support. All the services and facilities required to produce T V shows are right here and now we have 12 people working on the programs,” Sakr says. SnapT V sends out its anchors (or VJs, as they prefer to call them), cameramen and photographers to events across the city pertaining to music, food, travel, education, technology, shopping, well being, culture, lifestyle and more. Though
SnapTV talks to influencers to get their perspective on things – with Bilal Randeree
Sakr assures us that the programming is designed for people of all ages, the buzzwords adopted by SnapT V – Cool, Adventurous, Tech-savvy, Open-minded and Liberated – make it clear that it will appeal considerably more to the younger demographic. And they are starting to see this too. “It’s only been three weeks since we launched and the audience has been very receptive,”
watch. Hence they are not able to experience or find out more about the events happening in the city.” But SnapT V brings them those events in short, digestible bits which they can watch on their phone when they are stuck in traffic or waiting for their friends at the coffee shops. Not only that, Sakr attributes this overwhelming response to the fact that the channel is striving to give a voice to expat
he says. Their word of mouth and social media reach has been phenomenal. “People have accepted us and want to see more. SnapT V fills the gap in coverage of local T V channels which many expats don’t
communities and giving the others outside these specific communities a glimpse into these events, thus encouraging integration. “We cover events from the different communities here – be in Qatari,
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The SnapTV VJs who cover everything from fitness and music to nightlife and fashion.
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Indian, Filipino, Egyptian, French or British – so that everyone can feel involved in these celebrations.” Sakr also comments on the extent of SnapT V’s presence in the events it covers. “It’s not passive media coverage. We are people who live among them and participate along with them. Coverage is not just a picture with a few lines of text. We bring in the human element with an animated presenter who talks directly to people there, encourages them to click pictures with us and share them on our social media platforms. People are keen to be part of this and to share their experiences beyond their circle of friends and family. And the best part is that all this content is available to you free of charge, on the go and you can watch it anytime and anywhere, without the fear of missing out on anything.” While most of the VJs currently working on the programs are doing it pro bono, for fun rather than as work, Sakr says they have been made aware of how this has the potential to turn into something more. “Many of these VJs started doing it for the experience of being in front of the camera. In fact, we found one of our presenters in the most random fashion; we had gone to a
deeper commitment from both sides,” he says. Many of those volunteering their time at SnapT V are interns from local universities like the College of North Atlantic and Northwestern University, keen to work in the intersection of new media, production and information technology. “For example, we are working on a mobile application that is being entirely developed in-house. This kind of job profile is not easily available in Doha and it’s a great learning experience for our interns, many of whom we hope will become future employees.” The T V channel will also launch a VJ hunt at the beginning of the next academic year across all universities in Qatar, and young, energetic students interested in being in front of the camera can send in their screen tests. “We will then shortlist them, conduct another round of tests and interviews and the final six winners, selected after a stage test, will be given a two-year contract to work with SnapT V,” he says. SnapT V is continually expanding its current lineup of 16 programmes and already has over 155,000 hits across all its videos (which are usually never more than five minutes long), and over 23,000 likes
help it reach wider audiences. But perhaps what we think will be the more exciting aspect of this unique experiment is the original content that SnapT V is planning to host on its site. “We have a program called SceneZone which is for filmmakers – amateurs professionals or media houses
fitness club to shoot a video for a client and the trainer there expressed interest in presenting programs about fitness and health. Just out of pure interest. Now they can continue having the same fun but with
on its Facebook page. Their extensive network of partners, like ILoveQatar, Qatar living, The Youth Company, Red Bull and the like keeps SnapT V clued into the what’s happening around the city and
who want to showcase their films to a larger audience. We will provide a platform to anyone who has ambition and talent in this direction. We hope this will encourage the film industry in Qatar.”
ISSUE 28
2015
AROUND TOWN
LOOKING IN…
THE THIRD MATHAF STUDENT ART COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION IS AN ANNUAL PROGRAM WHICH CELEBRATES THE CREATIVITY OF STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO SECONDARY LEVEL. The event encourages students, teachers
tion question “What is a portrait?” The
and parents to explore modern and contemporary art together and to think outside the box. Schools were invited to submit artworks created by students who were asked to respond to this year’s competi-
opening included a musical performance by students from the Qatar Music Academy. There was also a hands-on art making workshop besides other activities. Students were awarded based on popular choices made by visitors to the museum.
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CREATIVE CORNER An exhibition featuring all graduating students from the BFA and MFA programs at Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar is on till May 23. The exhibition is a celebration of the creative achievements of its graduating students and provides the opportunity to preview Qatar’s emerging talent in the fields of graphic, fashion and interior design, painting and printmaking, and design studies. Entry is free of charge.
A QATARI LAUNCH PAD THE INAUGURAL EDITION OF THE LAUNCH CONFERENCE, WHICH SEEKS TO “LAUNCH THE CAREERS OF QATAR’S FUTURE LEADERS”, FEATURED WORKSHOPS AND TALKS BY PROMINENT QATARI BUSINESS LEADERS.
The annual professional development conference, which included a series of associated learning events, “facilitates the development of Qatari nationals who are commencing their professional career”. The two-day conference featured keynote speakers, interactive learning experiences, goal setting, and reflecting and learning sessions, all focused on developing the future leaders of Qatar. Speakers included Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon, CEO of H.U.G and ILQ Network; Mohammed Al Hayder, Founder at Takallam; Elizabeth Fleming, Founder of Launch and Managing Director at the Qatar Development and Consultancy Center; Isra Al Jefairi, Co-Founder of Launch; Lauren Fryer, Founder of Qanect, and more.
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THE WOMEN OF QAJAR
THIS EXHIBITION FEATURES THE CENTRALITY OF THE FEMALE FORM TO THE ARTWORK OF THE QAJAR PERIOD IN IRAN (1785-1925). Through a variety of historical objects from
women’s daily lives to the refinement of the
MIA’s collection, in juxtaposition with photographs and contemporary artworks inspired by the Qajar period, this exhibition explores the meaning of the image of women at the onset of modernity. From the texture and visual culture of
Qajar court, from symbolism and mythology to the shifting understanding of female beauty over time, the exhibition looks at the representation of women in the art of Qajar Iran from a variety of angles. The exhibition is on till June 11.