Campus sept oct 2014 by Oryx Group of Magazines

YOUSUF JASSEM AL DARWISH

SINDHU NAIR ABIGAIL MATHIAS AYSWARYA MURTHY

VENKAT REDDY M HANAN ABU SAIAM

SANDEEP SEHGAL ALPANA ROY RAVI RAMAN

FREDRICK ALPHONSO SAKALA A. DEBRASS THOMAS JOSE

MATHEWS CHERIAN HASSAN REKKAB LYDIA YOUSSEF

RITIKA RAMESH

PRATAP CHANDRAN BIKRAM SHRESTHA ARJUN TIMILSINA BHIMAL RAI, BASANTHA

AYUSH INDRAJITH MAHESHWAR REDDY B

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014 WE ARE BACK AFTER A LONG AND MARVELOUS SUMMER. AS ALWAYS THIS ISSUE OF CAMPUS IS BURSTING WITH INFORMATION. MEET A GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM CARNEGIE MELLON WHO TRAVELED TO THAILAND FOR A NOBLE CAUSE. WE CELEBRATE THE MULTICULTURAL ETHOS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA IN CANADA WHICH HOSTS A MIX OF STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD. THIS ISSUE ALSO HAS AN EXCLUSIVE FROM THE QATAR WINNER OF THE DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES, NAJLA AL THANI. WE LOOK BACK AT THE AMAZING LIFE OF ROBIN WILLIAMS, TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT ON ACCOUNT OF DEPRESSION. DON’T FORGET TO VISIT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK. 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

ROBIN’S LAST LESSON Beyond the shock, Robin William’s drastic step to end his life made us all take a deeper look at depression and how to address it in ourselves and our loved ones.

38 FROM COVER TO COVER

ISSUE 24 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014

Why should you take time out to join the new Qatar Book Club? Founder Iman Al Doubali gives you a handful of reasons why.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

Who do you want to be? Ritika Ramesh scouts ten professional alternatives that might interest you.

THE HUB IS HERE Do you have a great idea? Wondering how you can bring it to life? Want to work with other creative and motivated individuals doing wonderful things? Welcome to 7ayak Hub.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME A look at the multicultural ethos of the University of British Columbia which hosts a mix of students from across the world.

SONS OF THE SOIL

Amalan Roshan recounts his experience of organising and executing one of the Global Service Projects this year and what was waiting for him and his fellow students when they landed in a remote province of Thailand.

WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND How did one young manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s determined effort to bring drinking water to rural Afghanistan land him in an Ivy League school in the United States?

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT Najla Al Thani is the Qatari winner of the recentlyconcluded, coveted Dubai Summer Surprises Apprenticeship Program 2014. She recounts her experience here.

CAMPUS NEWS

PASSING ON THE TORCH SEVERAL CAMPUSES IN EDUCATION CITY WELCOMED A NEW CLASS OF STUDENTS, READY TO START THEIR NEXT ACADEMIC CHAPTER.

Texas A&M University at Qatar’s convocation ceremony recognized the university’s achievements over its 11 years of operations in Qatar. At the event, where the keynote speech was given by Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Associate Provost, Dr Dennis Roberts, new students were welcomed and current students with outstanding records were congratulated.

The fresh cohort of students accepted to WCMC-Q’s Foundation and Pre-Medical Programs, spent four days taking part in a variety of sessions that featured daily icebreakers like treasure hunts and a murder mystery evening and also advice about key study techniques and time-management skills.

Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar introduced its new batch of graduates to life on the campus.

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Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar welcomed 71 new full time Master of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts students to the Education City campus with a week of introduction and orientation activities that included college transition programs, an intercultural workshop, icebreakers and community building activities.

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar welcomed an incoming class of more than 100 freshman students, followed by a vibrant orientation session planned by the senior class students. This year’s program of events fell under the theme ‘Tartan Academy’, inspired from the popular book and movie series Harry Potter.

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VCUQ DEAN PREPARES TO BID ADIEU ALLYSON VANSTONE, DEAN OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY IN QATAR SINCE 2007, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WILL LEAVE THE UNIVERSITY AT THE END OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR IN JUNE 2015.

“I

have shared my decision with Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts’ Dean, Joseph Seipel, to conclude my role as dean of VCUQatar at the end of this academic year. I believe the timing is right for me personally and for the school. I am motivated and committed to my final year at VCUQatar to support our ongoing progress and ambitions,” Allyson Vanstone said in a statement. During her tenure at VCUQatar, the university expanded its degree programs to visual arts and art history and introduced the Master of Fine Arts degree to the Gulf region. She has also championed international and regional awareness of VCUQatar’s critical position as leaders in art and design education in the Middle East through the cumulative successes of faculty and student research, the university’s public programming, the Islamic Art Symposium, the biennial art and design conference – Tasmeem Doha, the Middle East Design Educators Association and Tasmeem Journal, an open access, international design journal.

CMU’S DEAN’S LECTURE SERIES IS BACK THIS SEPTEMBER THE CAMPUS WELCOMES TAKEO KANADE AND JUSTINE CASSELL FROM PITTSBURGH FOR AN HOUR-LONG TALK OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FOLLOWED BY A Q&A SESSION.

akeo Kanade, a computer and robotics professor at Carnegie Mellon, will deliver a talk on campus about a new active augmented reality that will improve how humans perceive reality. The talk will present the Smart Headlight Project being developed at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute. Justine Cassell, Associate Vice Provost of technology strategy and impact at Carnegie Mellon University, and co-director of the university’s Simon Initiative, will talk about the impact of technology on global education while commenting on the importance of using knowledge about learning and its context to design technologyenhanced learning tools. The talks by Kanade and Cassell will be on September 15 and 22 respectively, between 12 noon and 1 pm at the CMUQ campus.

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SPOTLIGHT

SUMMER ESCAPADES FOR MOST OF US, THE LONG SUMMER IS FILLED WITH ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES. FIELD TRIPS, VISITS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AIMLESSLY WATCHING RE-RUNS ON TELEVISION. WE SPEAK TO SOME OF QATAR’S YOUNG STUDENTS TO FIND OUT JUST HOW THEIR SUMMER PANNED OUT...

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REBEKA BIANKA BOJESCU Ideal Indian School

SUMMER VACAT ION IS USUALLY THE HAPPIEST PERIOD OF T IME DURING THE YEAR FOR ME. I GET TO EXPLORE, MAKE NEW EXPERIENCES, AND LEARN SO MANY NEW THINGS. IT’S ALL ABOUT LIVING IN THE MOMENT. I went to Thailand this summer and it was the best summer I’ve had so far. The people, the city, everything that surrounds you is magical. I was in Bangkok for seven days, explored the city a little. There are so many things that you can find in Thailand; everything that you’ll ever need can be found there. Once you start shopping you can’t stop. After manymagical days spent in Bangkok, we decided to fly off to Phuket for seven days. The Tiger’s Kingdom in Phuket is an amazing place. You get to meet and touch tigers that are safely brought up there. We stayed in Central Bangkok surrounded by the city that ‘never sleeps’. We attended the Food Festival and the Thailand Happiness Street Festival. With so many delicious food items and so much excitement around, we didn’t want to leave; but it was time to go home. Although it was fun, it’s nice to come home to Doha.

I SLEPT A LOT, PLAYED VIDEO GAMES. It was also a chance to hang out at a friend’s house. I also went to the Red Sea with my father which was a great and memorable time.

HUSSEIN Lycée Bonaparte French School Doha

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JANELA JOY CUATON Philippine School Doha

I SPENT MOST OF MY SUMMER DAYS WORKING AS A PROFESSIONAL MODEL. I WORKED FOR FASHION SHOWS SUCH AS IWED QATAR, MODE DE LIWA IN EZDAN MALL, AND DOHA FASHION LOUNGE. I also did some photo shoots and advertising campaigns for different companies like Ansar Gallery, The Gate Mall, Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport. I also took part in the recent Project Qatar held in QNCC. It was a busy summer, but in between I made sure that I spent a lot of time with my family. We stayed at some hotels in Doha to have fun and savor the heat with a refreshing dip in the pool. I also went out with my friends; we went for movies and ate in fine dining restaurants. The most memorable moment for me was watching the Batang Gilas basketball team who joined FIBA Asia U18 basketball tournament here in Doha. I felt so proud and happy to see the Philippine team compete with other nations. They were all very generous to me and my family. They definitely made a part of my memories this summer.

HASSAM LycĂŠe Bonaparte French School Doha

I TRAVELLED TO EGYPT WHICH IS MY HOME COUNTRY. It was a chance to meet some of my friends. I also played a lot of video games.

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FRANCINE DINGLASAN Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar

FOR A CARNEGIE MELLON BUSINESS ADMINISTRAT ION STUDENT, A SUMMER VACAT ION DOES NOT EXIST. WE ARE NOT REQUIRED, BUT ARE EXPECTED TO DO INTERNSHIPS THAT WOULD REFLECT ON OUR RESUMES. UNIVERSIT Y TRIPS, INTERNSHIPS AND VOLUNTARY WORK COMPOSED MY SUMMERS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. This was my last summer as an undergrad in Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar and I was determined to make the most out of it. I was playing three different roles at once: I was an intern, I was a Summer Community Development Advisor in the campus’ residence halls; and lastly my favorite task was being the Head Orientation Counselor (HOC) in my university. It has been a very hectic summer for me. It sounds exhausting. Indeed it was, but it was eventful, exciting, enriching and fun. I was an intern in the learning and development division of a gas company where I got to extend my network and met notable personas. I was able to keep my free accommodation, earn money and do fun programs on campus as a CDA. I became HOC with three amazing girls who made this year’s freshman orientation a remarkable and unforgettable one. CMUQ Orientation week for new students every year is a big deal. Everyone in Education City knows how CMUQ does it, but this year, our team set a benchmark. People all over campus came to see the happenings in CMUQ and decorations for the highly commended orientation theme. I do not only take pride in the success of the orientation week but I also take pride in the dedicated people who composed the entire orientation team. This just proved that we, Tartans, do have our hearts in the work, using the words of our great founder, Andrew Carnegie. Well to sum up, I got to enjoy myself earning and learning from both challenging and fun experiences, build relationships and develop my professional interests.

CELIA Lycée Bonaparte French School Doha

I WENT BACK TO FRANCE, to see my family, go to the beach and went to a lot of parties. The summer was fun.

ANALISE Lycée Bonaparte French School Doha

I WENT TO ALGERIA TO SEE MY FAMILY, went to the beach, and went to a lot of sport activities and parties. There were also a lot of family gatherings as this is the only time I get to see my family, so it was particularly special.

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KELLY BOONSTRA Hanze University of Applied Science in Groningen, Holland

THE BIGGEST PART OF MY SUMMER CONSISTED OF FINDING AN INTERNSHIP FOR MY STUDIES. However I also went on vacation for about a week. This was with my family. We went to Germany with my uncle and aunt. They do not live in Germany but they live on a ship, so we went boating for that week. I sailed over the Rhine while enjoying the company of my family. Another part of my summer was used for studying, this was because I had a few exams in the summer and I had to prepare for them. Furthermore, I took a lot of time to see my friends, this was mostly because I knew there was a big change – I would be leaving in September and I wanted to see them before that.

GREGORY Lycée Bonaparte French School Doha

ELIAS Lycée Bonaparte French School Doha

I TRAVELLED TO FRANCE

THIS SUMMER I WENT TO MOROCCO AND

to see my family and friends and attended a wedding in the south of France. It was a magical time and a summer I will not soon forget.

BELGUIM. I am fortunate to have family in both countries. I also went to some beaches and spent time there.

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WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE? RITIKA RAMESH SCOUTS TEN PROFESSIONAL ALTERNATIVES THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU. TWO ROADS DIVERGED INTO THE WOODS; ONE WAS ENGINEERING AND THE OTHER WAS MEDICINE. IF ROBERT FROST HEARD ABOUT THIS 21ST CENTURY PARENT STEREOTYPE, HE’D SQUIRM IN HIS GRAVE. FORTUNATELY FOR HIM, THERE ARE SEVERAL COLLEGES THAT OFFER SOME QUITE UNIQUE AND WELL, COMICAL COURSE OPTIONS.

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COMEDY - HUMBER COLLEGE, CANADA. Humber College sure is looking to tickle your funny bone with this one. This degree claims to have an intensive writing and performance curriculum. Apparently, its main focus is to help prospective comedians become funnier by tutoring them to master comedic timing and the industry itself. The students of this course put up weekly shows at the Comedy Club and surprisingly, they gather a big audience!

DECISION SCIENCES INDIANA UNIVERSITY, USA. It is indeed quite ironic that once ‘decides’ to take up a Ph.D in Decision Sciences. This doctoral degree claims to equip its students with stellar qualities when it comes to picking A or B. The program relies heavily on quantitative methods and aims to help make more efficient decisions at the top business levels. Upon graduation, graduates are skilled in research, analysis, problem solving ability, and critical thinking in almost every field; from technology to entrepreneurship.

NANNYING - SULLIVAN UNIVERSITY, USA. 09

has staged over 500 productions and the graduates of its bachelors and masters programs have occupied top position in the theatre industry and have produced world famous television shows, movies, museums, etc.

THE BEATLES LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY, UK.

BOWLING INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY - VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, USA. No, constant visits to the bowling alley with your friends does not make you an expert at the game. Indiana University offers a degree in Bowling Industry Management and Techonology. Students who take this course study “Lane and Pinsetter Maintenance,” “Pro Shop Operations and Essentials” and “Responsible Alcohol Service.” The program boasts of several, top of the range facilities, including an18-lane bowling center. Students apparently use this range to conduct experiments, and put to practice their theory knowledge.

PUPPETRY - THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, USA Ever since 1964, this university has offered a full fledged professional academic diploma. Its origins can be traced back to Frank W.Ballard, a professional puppeteer, who often took classes on campus. This is however an extremely successful program. The school

AUCTIONEERING - HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Maybe you know the words by heart to ‘Blackbird’, and you own all their vinyl records; that still does not make you an expert on the boy band that ruled pop culture in the 20th century. This university offers a Masters of Arts in The Beatles, Popular Music & Society. It’s been only years since its inception, but has garnered wide fame in Liverpool. It studies the role of The Beatles in shaping pop music in the past five decades. The Beatles are used as a case study to analyse the genre. Students of this course make frequent fieldtrips to the band’s birthplace. It is literally the only program of its sorts on the entire planet.

PACKAGING MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, USA.

Who knew that being a responsible adult and taking care of your siblings for a couple of nights required an actual college diploma? Well, Sullivan University has successfully been transforming its students into professional nannies for more than 20 years. They teach essential procedures of CPR, First Aid, Safety, Planning, Communication, etc. Some of their students go on to become professionals in the child care industry and hold top positions.

Also a reputed university, Penn State offers students a Bachelors of Science in turfgrass sciences. They are said to prepare their students for careers in lawn engineering, production, maintenance, etc. It’s definitely not as easy as the name sounds, however. This course has a heavy syllabi marked with several classes in biology, chemistry and meteorology.

Well, this one has some major legal backing to its existence! To become a licensed auctioneer in the state of Pennsylvania, one must successfully finish this auctioneering programme first. They teach students to develop a creative skill required for gaining the best sales, merchandise, etc. Students learn to exploit the best sources and techniques and learn the best auctioning ‘chants’.

This reputed institution offers a bachelors, masters, and a doctorate degree in ‘Packaging’. This program studies all sorts of packaging techniques and requirements with an aim to elevate functionality and environmental impact. Since packaging is such an integral part of the industry, students of this major often end up having a steady career.

TURFGRASS SCIENCE - PENN STATE

ECOGASTRONOMY - UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA. A budding major, this course was introduced only in 2008. It is a dual degree major that focuses on the various processes and practices involved in getting food from the farm to the plates. This major aims to create an awareness in sustainability and pupils analyze the steps involved and its environmental and ecological effects. These students are also well equipped in nutrition, hospitality, and agriculture.

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CELEBRITY TALK

Robin’s last lesson BY L ABIGAI S MATHIA

A 18

The news hit the world like a sick joke. “Robin Williams is dead, in what appears to be a suicide,” read the newsreader in a dead pan manner, without any of the passion that one associated with the larger than life actor.

few days later the platitudes kept coming. “He could make you laugh under any circumstances,” remarked T V- host and comedian David Letterman, who added that he and the late comic were friends for 35 years, since starting their careers at roughly the same time. More pertinently, Letterman announced that he ‘never knew that his friend was suffering.’ Emotional tributes have continued from across the world over, adding proof to just how much Robin Williams touched our hearts. Comic Jimmy Fallon called him the ‘Muhammad Ali’ of comedy. In life and on screen, he seemed unstoppable. Then came the mystery around his last hours. How could someone who made so many laugh out loud, be so profoundly unhappy? What’s worse Robin

Hunting. He was known for his philanthropy and admired in the community. Accolades were not in short supply. But of course fame does come at a price. There are a couple of noteworthy elements his untimely death bring to light:That depression is not taken seriously enough. The number of patients diagnosed with depression increases by approximately 20% per year. According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 200,000 suicides occur in the 15 to 25 age group alone. Untreated depression is the number one risk for suicide among youth. Young males aged 15 to 24 are at highest risk for suicide, with a ratio of males to females at 7:1 as stated by the American Association of Suicidology. In what can be described as his final testimony, William’s death resurrected the debate on mental health. The actor had struggled openly with his alcohol addiction and

ended his life in a most tragic way using a belt to hang himself. Cuts on his wrists seemed to suggest more personal injury. On the surface the multi-award winning actor seemed to have much to live for. He had won a number of awards for his work including an Oscar for his highly acclaimed role in Good Will

depression for years, and had received help. The list of stars who have taken their own lives or succumbed to addiction includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Heath Ledger, Brittany Murphy, River Phoenix and Marilyn Monroe, to name a few. But these are merely the famous faces. Mental health and anxiety do not only afflict the

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Arguably one of his most endearing roles, Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Playing the role of Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting (1997)

famous. The triggers exist in varying degrees for all classes of society.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS FROM THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) THAT MAY INDICATE A NEED FOR HELP. CHANGES IN SLEEP PATTERNS Many people experience difficulty in falling asleep, waking throughout the night and/or waking an hour to several hours earlier than desired in the morning. Other people experiencing depression will sleep for much longer than they used to.

CHANGE IN APPETITE Many people in the midst of depression experience a decrease in appetite, and sometimes, noticeable weight loss. Some people eat more, sometimes resulting in weight gain.

POOR CONCENTRATION The inability to concentrate and/or make decisions is a scary aspect of depression. Major decision-making is often impossible. This leads depressed individuals to feel as though they are literally losing their minds.

LOSS OF ENERGY The loss of energy and profound fatigue often affects people living with depression. Mental speed and activity are usually reduced, as is the ability to perform normal daily routines. If you are living with depression, you will likely find that you respond to your environment much more slowly.

LACK OF INTEREST During depression, people feel sad and lose interest in usual activities. Formerly enjoyable activities seem boring or unrewarding during depression and the ability to feel and offer love may be diminished or lost.

LOW SELF-ESTEEM During periods of depression, people dwell on memories of losses or failures and feel excessive guilt and helplessness. The feeling that “I am a loser” or “the world is a terrible place” may take over and increase the risk of suicide.

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Robin played an unsual radio jockey in the film Good Morning Vietnam (1987)

HOPELESSNESS OR GUILT The symptoms of depression often come together to produce a strong feeling of hopelessness, or a belief that nothing will ever improve. These feelings can lead to thoughts of suicide. Friends and family are an irreplaceable support group which can help remedy the situation before it gets worse. Reaching out may not always be easy, but medication is usually the key in a lot of cases. Exercise also helps. Studies have proved that brisk walking and adequate sleep go a long way to help those struggling with depression. Yoga and meditation have been proven to have a positive effect on the mind. Following a daily routine and getting adequate rest, tends to make it much easier for those overwhelmed with life. Most importantly, we need to rid the stigma associated with depression and mental illness. With the increasing pressures of modern life, it is often challenging to live a completely carefree life. Closer home, the Qatar National Mental Health Strategy for 2013 to 2018 entitled ‘Changing minds, Changing lives,’ estimates that about 18 percent of Qatar’s total population has had depression at some point, a significantly higher level than the US at 9 percent, and the UK at 12 percent. The country’s younger residents are particularly at risk. What’s worse a relatively small percentage of people with mental health problems actually seek help. According to figures released by the Hamad Medical Corporation, only 25 percent of Qataris and five percent of expats sought out its psychiatric services in 2011. The data from this study indicates that 1 in 5 Qatari nationals are currently living with a mental disorder. Initial reports also suggest that mental disorders are particularly common amongst women and young adults. We need to eradicate the stigma if those afflicted with the illness have to seek and find help. Counselors and mentors are on hand for those who need professional help, one just needs to open up to them. In turn, educators and those in authority need to develop apathy towards those battling mental instability. Apart from the grave statistics, there is good news. Mental illness is diagnosable and treatable. With the right care, even those with long-term and serious conditions can experience significant improvement and live full lives. For more information visit the Department of Pyschiatry located opposite 'The Centre' near Jaidah flyover or call +974 4438 4532

Sons of the Soil BY N AMALA N ROSHA

A student from CMU-Q recounts his experience of organizing and executing a Global Service Project this year and what awaited him and his fellow students when they landed in a remote province of Thailand.

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a junior at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, the idea of participating in a service trip has always appealed to me. Service learning is a core part of our education and personal development at Carnegie Mellon and it’s great that faculty encourage us to participate. The Global Service Project is an opportunity provided by Carnegie Mellon Qatar where students are able to submit a proposal to lead their own service trip. Once selected, the student then plans and executes the trip. In preparing my proposal, the Office of Student Affairs provided initial guidance on various volunteer organizations. This is how I came across the service project in Thailand. It involved working with the local community constructing terrace fields and helping the local community meet their needs through agriculture. Following an interview with the Office of Student Affairs, my proposal was given the green light and I began planning. Along with my trip advisor, we selected seven other students through an application process. On May 19, eight students including myself flew to Chiang Rai, Thailand. We were part of a larger group which included people from Australia and South Korea. Our first week of the program involved the construction of a foundation for an orphanage. We used rocks, sand and cement to make the concrete mixture that would turn into the base for the orphanage. During the second week of our program, we stayed in a village where we lived with locals in the mountains. We faced challenges such as humidity, no electricity or mobile network, which we quickly learned to live without. We also had to hike approximately three kilometers every day to dig soil for the terraces that we were building. Both projects were challenging, however we were able to work together as a team this helped us make it through the week. The trip was a great learning experience and has helped shape us for the future. It was especially challenging for me because I had the added responsibility of planning the trip; organizing the itinerary, ensuring everyone on the team were enjoying themselves, as well as learning to adapt to a new culture. Past experiences in student clubs and organizations at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar helped prepare me for the decisions I made before and during the trip. Most importantly, the trip to Thailand helped me value team spirit. Helping one another, and keeping the group motivated helped us to tackle hardships quickly. Diversity was another important learning experience in Thailand. Known as the ‘Land of Smiles’, Thai people always smiled, this helped us to get over the culture shock and helped us integrate ourselves into the community. Most importantly, the sense of satisfaction we had for giving back to the community was the best aspect of the trip. By helping the community and knowing that the fields and foundations we helped build would immediately be used by people in need, and would also help them earn a living, gave us a sense fulfillment that beats any other form of charity. The trip to Thailand was a beautiful experience and the success of the trip has motivated me to undertake many more service trips like this in the future. It would never have been possible without the help of the office of Student Affairs at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, especially the Student Development Coordinator, Kevin D’Arco and the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Gloria Khoury.

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G TALK

GREEN TALK

IN THE CLASSROOM BY RYA AYSWA HY MURT

CAMPUS SPEAKS TO THE WINNERS OF THE LAST EDITION OF ‘GREEN PROGRAMME FOR SCHOOLS’ (GPS) ABOUT THEIR SUCCESS IN SPREADING THE GREEN MESSAGE AMONG THEIR STUDENTS.

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DMIS recognizes its student volunteers

QATAR’S past and present environmental record needs some serious offsetting. You wouldn’t think that a desert state would lead the world in its per capita consumption of water. But it does. Qatar residents consume almost thrice as much water as the global average. Our electricity usage is nothing to write home about either. While we should not give up on trying to change our habits, it’s the younger generation we should focus on, to make sure they don’t develop wasteful ways in the first place. But how do we teach these important lessons without boring the kids? By not teaching it at all and instead making practices like turning off the lights and using less water part of their subconscious, everyday actions. This is was the thought behind Qatar Today’s citywide initiative, the Green Programme for Schools that in its first year saw participation from 26 inner city schools in Doha. From providing colorful and engaging signage to be used around the school reminding children to switch off the lights when they are leaving a classroom, or telling them how wasteful it is to leave the tap running for long, to creating a team of students and teachers in each school who can find innovative ways to preserve and conserve, recycle and reuse, the program aims to make environmentally-conscious thought and action a second nature to these students. After a year of monitoring the schools’ activities and consumption levels, the best performing ones were honored for their commitment, consistency and fresh-thinking on November 6, 2012 at Hafsa Independent School. The schools that were recognised that day were Al Shaima Girls Independent School which won the GPS ‘EcoSchool of the Year’ award; Doha Modern Indian School for ‘Best Student Participation’; and Ali Bin Taleb Independent School for ‘Best Innovation’.

THIS IS WAS THE THOUGHT BEHIND QATAR TODAY’S CITYWIDE INITIATIVE, GREEN PROGRAMME FOR SCHOOLS THAT IN ITS FIRST YEAR SAW PARTICIPATION FROM 26 INNER CITY SCHOOLS IN DOHA It was revealing to catch up on these institutions several months down the line to see how they have been getting along since. Khalil Maalla has been part of GPS from its early days and school psychologist Ehab Tantawy has been the coordinator for Ali Bin Taleb’s environmental activities even before that. “Through GPS we saw the opportunity to talk to our students about important environmental challenges like global warming and ways to address them. We wanted the children to do their part in keeping the school, the city and the country as clean and green as possible and this would be our gift to the society,” Maalla says when asked about the school’s motivation to be part of the programme. Their GPS team has been working diligently on a small assorted collection of potted plants at the entrance of the school which really helps the facade stand out and somehow makes the searingly hot day seem a tad cooler. Tantawy says they have big plans for that space – during the next academic year the concrete will be removed and his team is going to be converting the whole space into a lush green sanctuary.

Awareness is key

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The beginnings of a garden at Ali Bin Taleb Independent School, partially watered with leftovers from the students’ water bottles

“WE ENCOURAGE OUR STUDENTS TO POUR THE WATER LEFTOVER IN THEIR BOTTLES INTO THIS WHEN THEY ARE LEAVING THE PREMISES AT THE END OF THE DAY. IT IS THEN USED TO WATER THE PLANTS,” TANTAWY SAYS.

A truly remarkable initiative is the large reservoir strategically placed at the exit. “We encourage our students to pour the water leftover in their bottles into this when they are leaving the premises at the end of the day. It is then used to water the plants,” Tantawy says. He is inordinately proud of it and though it might not seem like much at first, you would definitely notice it when it’s not there. Like when you walk into another winning independent school, Al Shaima; it gives you a strange feeling, the eerie similarities of all the schools’ layouts, down to the last light bulb. It’s like the episode of The Simpsons when Lisa walks into West Springfield Elementary School instead of her own and doesn’t realise it because the floor plans of all the district schools are the same. But once you get past that initial impression the little details start to emerge. The walls and notice boards are over-flowing with artwork and little nuggets of thought – a surprising amount of them concerning the environment. You don’t need to see the large binder detailing the school’s environmental activities that social services coordinator Maha Ghanim Al Kuwari hands over to realise how seriously the school takes its environmental campaigns. And if anything will convince you that information overload is not the way to “guide children to move from theory to practice and achieve results”, it’s Al Shaima’s creative methods of helping students see a use for things we

It’s not for nothing that Doha Modern Indian School was recognized for its students’ participation; the level of involvement is heartening. Social science teacher and head of the environmental club Binoy Mathew, can spend hours talking about the work they are doing through the club and the GPS team. “Last year we collected old, used notebooks for recycling and reuse. The awareness posters have been put up across the school and even on the buses. We created and are managing a Facebook group - Go Green - through

perceive as waste. The art room is where trash is given a new lease on life and reborn as things of beauty – trees made out of spare toilet paper and interesting decor pieces created from colorful plastic bottle caps. It’s activities like these that ensure that the people you are attempting to converse with are talking back.

which we try to have meaningful conversations about the environment with the students. Even within the school we try to keep awareness levels up with events centered around Earth Day and World Environment Day, both of which we celebrated recently,” he says. And the effects are amazing, according to the principal

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Junk art – turning waste into things of beauty

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES AT ECO-SCHOOL OF THE YEAR AL SHAIMA Reduce use of plastic plates and cups Spread the culture of fixing broken things instead of buying new things Recycle waste to produce decorative items Place recycling bins all over the school to raise the awareness Use food leftovers to make compost to fertilise plants in the school Put up posters about the importance of saving the environment in the classes and corridors Hold educational lectures about such topics in collaboration with KAHRAMAA Madhukar Jha. “There is a tremendous difference in our consumption levels. And we personally see students taking a conscious effort to turn the lights off when no one is around and report leaky taps. The self-awareness and commitment levels have gone up. In fact, last year the students suggested a clean up of the Wakra beach and when we arranged for that there was enthusiastic participation,” he says. At Ali Bin Taleb as well, the student competitions, morning broadcasts and assorted activities have resulted in tangible differences in what the school was paying for water and electricity a few years ago, to what they are paying now. Not only that, it has spurred the student community to work on innovative ways to address some of the pressing issues of the day. Tantawy, who also is the coordinator for research activities at the school, was extremely happy about the work the students put into developing two thoughtful projects on evaporative cooling and water conservation. In fact, it has encouraged them to work on a new project in the coming year – one that will measure the amount of water that is being wasted in independent school across the city. Being able to put a number to this is the first step towards tackling the problem. Al Shaima is looking forward to another year of workshops, competitions like the ‘Young Inventor’ which encourages students to

previously in the GPS team have graduated, a new committee is being formed with an emphasis on creating more awareness. “We want to create a vegetable garden, use different bins for waste segregation, discourage the use of plastic bags on the campus and constantly remind students to not take printouts unless they have to,” Mathew says. Jha is keen for the communication to make its way from the classroom to the home. “This year’s agenda is to reach out to the parents,” he says. “A significant portion of notebooks are waste at the end of each year and we have to help parents understand that though they want the best for their kids, they should set an example by reusing the blank pages. So many thousands of plastic bags are used in the supermarkets each day. Parents can inculcate a sensitivity towards nature in their children by simple actions like carrying reusable bags when they go shopping. This is how we can build the culture of conservation from the grassroot levels.” The schools also suggest the Supreme Education Council do more to incentivise environmentally-sound behaviour in students. Al Kuwari’s suggestion is more media support and a dedicated website supported and supervised by the SEC where the schools’ activities are posted and discussed. There are so many innovative ways to instil accountability and pride in children while making it fun for

come up with energy and water conseravations ideas, distillation watering of plants with recycled and reused water, and most importantly, collaborating with other participating schools to work on combined projects, according to Al Kuwari. DMIS too has ambitious plans. Although the students who were

them as well, Jha says. “For example, if each child were given a sapling to adopt, nurture it and record its progress, with the best efforts being awarded by the authorities, imagine the interest and enthusiasm it could generate. Just one school will be able to plant more trees than any municipality ever could!”

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The inviting and inspiring co-working spaces at 7ayak Hub

YOUNG TURKS

THE HUB IS HERE

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT IDEA? Wondering how you can bring it to life? Want to work with other creative and motivated individuals doing wonderful things? WELCOME TO 7AYAK HUB.

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A Few

months ago, when we were being taken around the Youth Hub at The Youth Company HQ, it was obvious that great things were going to be born out of that space, though it was still very much under renovation. It was meant to be a welcoming and safe zone for those looking to execute interesting projects - be it in arts, music, business or social development. The concept of the rebranded and newly launched 7ayak Hub remains the same, says Evgenia Berestneva, director of the hub, who, along with T YC Founder and Chairman Mohamed Farid, and Operations Manager Ashok Gabe, form the core of a rapidly expanding team at the hub. Sponsored by Salam International, the 7ayak Hub currently hosts five companies at their private offices, with more expressing interest in the idea of a ‘co-working’ space. Evgenia tell us more about the inception of the hub.

FROM THE YOUTH HUB TO THE 7AYAK HUB “The Youth Hub was conceptualised as a center for youth development,” Evgenia says, “with a goal to attract young people who can network, learn, develop, and eventually start their own projects or businesses using this platform.” The activities centered around three fields - personal & professional development, health & active lifestyle, and entrepreneurship – everything you need to grow as a “well-rounded” individual. “However, it was a little bit challenging to handle so many various activities under one roof, catered to such a wide audience of youth in Qatar. Based on interactions with different people and organizations connected to the Youth Hub, we realized that what Qatar is really missing is a meeting place for all current and future entrepreneurs, start-upers, freelancers, creatives, community activists or simply proactive individuals, passionate about world-changing ideas, who believe in the benefits of collaborative work and shared learning. We call them Change Makers,” Evegenia smiles. “That’s how the concept of a co-working space came out. And since you can be a change maker at any point of your life, age really doesn’t matter, that’s why the Youth Hub became 7ayak Hub.”

Evgenia Berestneva, Director, 7ayak Hub

“WE ARE NOT AN INCUBATOR” Co-working refers to individuals working in the same space albeit on different projects and for different companies. “Co-working is not a business incubator, office space or accelerator,” Evgenia clarifies. “Co-working means working in collaboration; where community is at the core of success, where people come before profit, and social, collaborative and informal aspects of work are most important. So, we focus a lot on community building, getting to know all our members and helping them connect with each other and with useful contacts outside the hub.”

INSIDE THE HUB The 7ayak hub operates on a membership basis, and anyone who wants to work in the hub, can use a ‘hot desk’, which is flexible seating based on a “first come - first served” philosophy. Meeting and workshop rooms are available for rent, and along with space for events. In addition to the space comes internet, print, scan, copy services, refreshments and amazing networking opportunities. “We have planned many interesting networking events, training sessions for entrepreneurs and start-ups, inspirational talks and discussions,” Evgenia mentions. Anyone can rent a desk or an office space on a daily, monthly or yearly basis (for eg, any of the 35 hot desks can be yours for QR50 per day while you can rent a private office for you and your teammates for QR7,000 a month).

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Even before the offical launch of the hub, brainstorming sessions were aplenty

Currently, several startups and SMEs like the Business Excellence Center (a management consultancy company for SMEs), Dorra (creative edutainment solutions), Karak Time (new web show), the media production company House of Wow, Mediadante (an independent film production company) and United Admissions Qatar, offering submission and tutorship services to students in Qatar, are all sharing the private office spaces at the hub. The hot desks are presently used by the teams of 7ayak Seha start-up, which is a healthy lifestyle guide and directory, and Run The World Festival, sports festival for youth, Evgenia says. “We usually move furniture a lot, so when the need arises, we can increase the number of working stations.”

GETTING A FOOT IN THE DOOR

Though it’s fairly easy now to get a spot in the hub, Evgenia says they might consider a selection process for start-ups, if they run out of space, so they could support those who need it the most.

BEING A ‘HUB RESIDENT’ “We call our permanent members ‘hub residents’”, says Evgenia. “They are with us for longer terms, and all have different needs – some are just in the idea stage while some have been operating in the market for a while.” Catering to the wants of these varied types of companies can be quite a task but there are some fundamentals which every small company needs, regardless of industry and size. The 7ayak Hub is well-positioned to meet some of these needs, says Evgenia. Some of the services the hub residents can use include –

“We don’t focus primarily on start-ups, everyone who needs a place to work is welcome,” Evgenia says, careful once again to dispel the notion that they are an incubator. “You can be a freelancer, traveling businessman, entrepreneur or employee who can work outside of a regular office. Anyone can come in, make a member-

Active networking with potential partners and sponsors Barter of services (match-make and facilitate exchange of services between the hub residents) Advice regarding business plan / business model / marketing

ship at reception or set an office rent agreement and enjoy the facilities. However, it’s far different from the usual office space due to shared open areas, flexible seating arrangements and a casual, working environment. So, the space and interactions between members naturally defines which kind of people come on board.”

strategy / operations / finance Coaching and consultancy sessions with business experts in the network Training, workshops, lectures on various hot topics for entrepreneurs

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HOME AWAY FROM HOME BY L ABIGAI S MATHIA

THE CAMPUS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (UBC), SITUATED IN THE HEART OF VANCOUVER, APPEARS AS A WORLD UNTO ITSELF. SPREAD OVER 400 HECTARES WITH FORESTS ON THREE SIDES AND EVEN AN EXQUISITE JAPANESE GARDEN, IT FORMS AN IMPORTANT PART OF CANADA’S HERITAGE.

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heir recently enhanced museum of anthropology has been listed in the book ‘1,000 things to see before you die.’ A majority of junior students make UBC their home for the first year coming from more than 149 different countries. 79 percent of UBC students speak more than one language; 50 per cent speak English as their first language. Many miles away from Qatar, it became pertinent to ask how international students cope with such a diverse culture. The jump start orientation acquaints students to life on campus. It also introduces them to their first set of friends. Abdulrahman Alnaar spent most of his childhood in Bahrain. “I wanted to go somewhere that offered a unique experience. Five years later I feel like a student ambassador,” he smiles. Alnaar now works with the International Programs and Services office as a programming assistant. He explains, “Though I’ve been in multicultural settings having attended an international school in Bahrain, here the sheer number of international students from different countries across the world amazed me. My best friend at UBC was from Kenya, but lived in Switzerland.” An international house takes interest in students who may be homesick. Besides this, older students mentor their younger counterparts through the year. Alnaar believes that studying here has helped him adopt a more accepting nature of diverse cultures. “There are so many things to learn about the different cultures that international students bring to the table. The different perspectives that I got to hear throughout my undergraduate degree in political science enriched my understanding of the world. The personal stories that people from Africa, Europe, and Asia provided inside and outside of the classroom, gave me a glimpse of their world, that I might not have had the opportunity to gain if I did not attend this university,” he affirms. UBC has another campus in Okanagan valley. One of the initiatives held here is a Global Fest, an annual event organized by students and staff which showcases the cultural diversity of its campus. Students wear

and provides students with an insight that is different from the disease and poverty-ridden images created by popular media. “My involvement in these events has truly made me more of a global citizen,” says Alnaar.

Just like any other big campus, the emphasis on co-curricular activities is large. The student body at UBC is comprised of 16% interna-

Sakina Dharsee is from Tanzania. She feels that moving halfway across the world for university can seem very overwhelming initially. “Having grown up in one country my entire life, I remember how nerve wrecking it was thinking about what to expect, especially in terms of the weather and social environment. There’s no doubt that a new country also means a culture shift and it may take some time for you to adjust, but I definitely remember it as being a very positive experience,” says Dharsee who was selected to make the graduation speech as valedictorian (highest academic achiever). There are plenty of activities to immerse oneself in. For some, this means getting involved in different clubs or joining one of the varsity teams, whereas for others, this may mean taking a semester abroad or participating in one of the many community service

traditional garments, share food, music and stories. African Awareness Week is another annual celebration and exploration of Africa conducted at campus. It showcases the diversity of life and culture in the African continent

tional students and represented by 370 different cultural, academic and social clubs. These clubs range from the African Student Association and the Chinese Varsity Club to the Muslim Student Association and the Ski and

projects. “Having already graduated, I’m already counting down to going back. You can really experience the world from UBC, and that’s not something every university can offer,” concludes Dharsee.

WHY CANADA? Canada has consistently ranked as one of the top destinations for higher education. UBC is one of the top 40 research universities in the world. Two of Canada’s former prime ministers and 65 Olympic medalists make up the prestigious alumni. In a daring attempt, engineering students from UBC hung a Beetle car on the city’s Lion Gate bridge to “draw attention to the masterful feats of professional engineers and to celebrate the skills of the trades people who built the bridges.” They repeated the feat at San Francisco’s Golden

Al Hassan Al Shaibani

Board Club. The size of UBC ensures that whatever cultural or national group one identifies with, there are other students of similar background that one can connect to. Shaibani says, “To celebrate this diversity, there are numerous events throughout the year that highlight different campus groups, cultures and nationalities like the Lunar Year festivities and Diwali dinners.” Damara Klaassen Senior Director International Student Initiative deals with international students. She has traveled to Qatar more than once to speak to aspiring students. She explains, “We are home to over 10,000 international students from various countries. The university is well aware of just how immense the transition from their home environment to Canada, British Columbia and UBC can be for new students.”

Abdulrahman Alnaar

Gate bridge as well. Here students have the ability to work with professors and other graduate students - even in their first and second years on campus. Many are drawn to UBC’s outstanding faculty and its commitment to sustainability. The Centre for Interactive Research in Sustainability (CIRS) does just this. Al Hassan Al Shaibani’s is originally from Iraq who came to UBC via Dubai. He explains, “Volunteering within the community and being conscious of your carbon footprint are both heavily emphasized here and approaching them from a place of learning and curiosity has been eye-opening.”

LIFE OUTSIDE CAMPUS

2014

Sakina Dharsee

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CAREER TRIVIA

HOW TO BE THE BEST INTERN EVER AN INTERNSHIP COULD GO TWO WAYS. IT COULD EITHER BE AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE, WHERE YOU LEARN A LOT, OR IT COULD BE A WASTE OF EVERYONE’S TIME.

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THE FOLLOWING TIPS FROM THE CAREER EXPERTS AT BAYT.COM WILL HELP YOU MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR INTERNSHIP – AND MAYBE EVEN LAND THAT JOB!

01 START YOUR INTERNSHIP BEFORE THE OFFICIAL DATE

It’s always better to be prepared beforehand, especially if you don’t have any previous work experience. Research your new job role thoroughly, get to know what skills are required and prep yourself. Research the industry you will be working in. Connect with employees, perhaps your future boss, through email or social media. Ask them if there is anything you can do before the internship starts. This will show great initiative on your part.

02 BE PROACTIVE During your internship, you will have a certain set of daily tasks that you must complete. Other times, your boss might give you projects to complete over a period of time. If you are not working on interesting projects, be proactive and ask for some. Managers appreciate employees who take the initiative. If after asking, you don’t get any exciting projects, you could identify a problem in the company and take ownership to solve it. Once it’s solved, you can present it to your manager. 78% of professionals in the region agree that their organization encourages new ideas to be tried out, according to the Bayt.com ‘Innovation in the Middle East and North Africa’ poll, January 2014. So take risks and innovate!

survey believe that experience in the field they want to work for, is the most important factor when selecting a job. So get as much experience as you can and keep pushing yourself by working hard.

05 NETWORK AS THOUGH YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT You must network in every stage of your career, and that applies to the internship stage as well. Invite your managers and colleagues for coffee. Have one-on-one sessions with them. Let them know about your passions and interests. Ask them for career advice. You can gather a lot of information about job openings, company culture and strategy, and the way things work in the office. These contacts might prove useful in the future, even if you don’t end up getting a full-time job at the company.

06 LEARN WHEN TO SAY ‘NO’

No question is ever stupid. In fact, the unwise thing to do would be to pretend that you understand a task, when in fact you don’t. Keep asking questions to clear your doubts.

As an intern, you might be afraid to say ‘no’ to a task. You may think that saying no might create a bad impression. However, you might end up being unhappy with the work you are given, and this shouldn’t happen. 7 in 10 professionals feel comfortable to voice their opinion to their manager, according to the Bayt.com ‘Employee Engagement in the MENA’ poll, April 2014. It’s okay to be assertive. If you don’t have enough time, or the task you have been given doesn’t add any value to your career, you can simply say no. But remember to do so politely. You could say something like “I’m sorry but I can’t do this task as I feel I have the potential to do something much more challenging. Can I be assigned to another more challenging project?”

04 BE FLEXIBLE AND WORK HARD

07 REMEMBER YOUR COMPANY ETIQUETTE

You should be flexible during your internship. The point of these few months is to learn as much as you can. If you are asked to be a receptionist for a day, go ahead and do it! Who knows what you can learn about administrative duties. If work is going slow in your department, get permission from your line manager to ask the managers of other departments for work. 40% of respondents in the Bayt.com ‘Fresh Graduates in the Middle East and North Africa’

Always dress appropriately and be on time! You are most definitely being observed. Be calm and composed, even if you have been given a lot of work. Show your manager that you can handle stressful situations and meet deadlines. Adhere to the office rules and talk to your HR manager about them. Don’t make silly mistakes such as clicking on “reply all” to a company-wide email. Most importantly, be confident and real!

03 KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS

Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 40,000 employers and over 16,750,000 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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YOUNG TURKS

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT BY NAJLA I N AL THA

I 36

NAJLA AL THANI IS THE QATAR WINNER OF THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED COVETED DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM 2014. A STUDENT AT STENDEN UNIVERSITY, NAJLA SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A TWO-WEEK INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN THE UAE, WHERE SHE REPRESENTED QATAR ALONGSIDE 16 STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA. SHE RECOUNTS THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR US.

was informed about the DSS Appren-

Officer for DSS. One of my ideas was to

ticeship program by my university and decided to take part in the program. I wrote an essay about my ideas and strategies for promoting the event in my local market as the Chief Marketing

create a new character, which was a new bubbly friend for Modhesh, the DSS mascot. It had to be someone that children can relate to. Social media played a huge role in my marketing strategy.

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During the DSS apprenticeship, I met new people from different cultures. It was undoubtedly one of my best experiences, which opened my eyes to new cultures. In fact Dubai brought us all together in one place.

Apprentice 2014 – Facebook offices Dubai

Apprentice 2014 group picture – final presentations

Apprentice 2014 group picture at Modhesh World

Najla Al Thani at Modhesh World, UAE

During the apprenticeship, we did a number of activities. We participated in interactive sessions with senior officials of key business houses and media giants. The media network, MBC Group, offered us an exclusive tour of their state-of-the-art studio facility located in their headquarters in Dubai Media City. During the program, we also met top representatives from the city’s prominent home-grown establishments such as Emirates, Dubai Airports, Emirates Flight Catering, Dubai FDI and the Majid Al Futtaim Group. The most exciting activity for me was visiting Facebook’s MEA regional office in Dubai. That was a key highlight of our agenda in the Emirate. It was a once-in-alifetime opportunity to learn about

IT WAS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE; IT OPENED MY EYES TO NEW CULTURES.

my goals and ambitions. The program has refueled my passion for tourism. One of my main goals is to learn

From a career perspective, the experience has enriched my knowledge in marketing. I have learned that it is very important to publicize a product to the right audience. Learning about different cultures has been beneficial since I have never met anyone from most of these countries. I am very proud of my fellow team members with whom I worked. My family is the reason behind my success and supported me from day one. They couldn’t be more proud, mostly because I was representing my country. Winning the challenge has definitely left a positive impact. I hope I have represented my country’s hospitality well and hope I made my family and country proud. I want to take the knowledge and apply it

Facebook’s global strategy and focus, regional growth story and its significance to marketers and advertisers in reaching out to the masses. I believe that learning from these successful people will help me achieve

from this opportunity and apply the knowledge and experience Qatar. Meeting and working with the experts at DSS was a truly enriching, encouraging and valuable experience.

in my future career. Moreover, I want to create something that can represent my country and offer a positive image of Qatar. My experience in the DSS program showed me that nothing is impossible.

2014

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ECO LEADER

WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND HOW DID ONE YOUNG MAN’S DETERMINED EFFORT TO BRING DRINKING WATER TO RURAL AFGHANISTAN EARN HIM A SPOT IN AN IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES?

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t the start of the school year, eighteen-year-old Aqil Rashid, like thousands of young students around the world, is saying goodbye to his friends and family at home and heading overseas. But that’s where the similarities end. Because Aqil is no ordinary teen who is flying to the States to pursue his studies. He carries with him the goodwill of entire communities in rural Afghanistan. The founder of the ‘1 Well, 700 Lives’ program and subsequently a Just Falafel Street Food School, Aqil’s community work and good grades attracted the attention of the rapidly-expanding Middle Eastern food chain which is now footing the bill for his education at the prestigious Brown University. Aqil had already been working on his project for digging wells in Afghanistan for two years before his efforts were recognised and rewarded by Just Falafel through their ‘Help Us Help You’ program. “The project began when I was 13,” Aqil recounts, “It was after Eid and, Alhamdulillah, I had collected a little bit of gift money thanks to my then babyish looks. I had quite a few ideas bubbling in mind regarding what I was going to do with that money – a PSP game to a new pair of soccer shoes; the possibilities were endless.” However, his dad began to talk to him about the good work that he could do with that gift money. “He told me that many people around the world aren’t as fortunate as we are and we should try and do as much as we can to share our blessings with them,” Aqil remembers. His father’s friend worked in an organization in Afghanistan called Roshan which had an extensive CSR program focused on the community and Aqil

Us Help You. “The initiative, as its name suggests, is a way to empower a talented individual to work hard and make a difference,” says Mohamad Bitar, Founder of Just Falafel, “We are just the facilitator to allow great people to do great things in the world.” The winner of the Facebook campaign received support for his charity work and the full cost of his tuition is now being paid by the company. “This was a way for people like Aqil to ‘pay forward’ their good fortune to help those less fortunate than themselves. What could be more important and critical for life than the basic provision of clean drinking water? It is a cause that is very close to the hearts of the people in the United Arab Emirates who understand very well its importance with our beautiful, but harsh desert climate,” Bitar says. Aqil came out as the frontrunner in the campaign and his initiative soon gained traction, with two million of Just Falafel’s Facebook followers supporting his work. He had a jaw-dropping moment when a single donor donated the equivalent of $20,000 (QR73,000), making it possible to build 10 wells in remote locations in the war-ravaged country. “Alhamdulillah, the initiative has seen many achievements over the years, but this one definitely sets itself apart from the rest,” Aqil says. His selfless work and consistent good grades have now earned him a spot at Brown University and, just as promised, Just Falafel will have his back the whole while. It’s true what they say – what goes around, comes around. “Winning the ‘Help Us Help You’ initiative made me realize how truly blessed I was. Not many people can confidently say that they don’t need to worry about the funding for four whole years

replicated their successful model to start his own initiative – 1 Well, 700 Lives. The well-meaning but modest effort, soon catapulted him to new success. His work came under the radar of Just Falafel’s Help

of university. Understanding how this initiatives has impacted my life made me want to work harder towards passing this blessing on into society and raising more funds for my project.”

Mohamad Bitar, Founder, Just Falafel

Aqil Rashid, Founder, 1 Well, 700 Lives

2014

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BOOK REVIEW

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2014

FROM COVER TO COVER...

WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE TIME OUT TO JOIN THE NEW QATAR BOOK CLUB? FOUNDER IMAN AL DOUBALI GIVES YOU A HANDFUL OF REASONS WHY.

ard cover, soft cover, white or beige paper, big or pocket format; books come in as many shapes and colors as there are titles. But what place have we really left to books in our busy, daily lives? Smartphones, tablets and computers have taken over us, day and night, and imposed themselves on us as sole window to the outside and even the inside. When was the last time you escaped through something else than a screen? How about taking a break? Take a book. Feel its cover. Open it. What does it smell? Is it old or new? Let your fingers run on the pages and get the sensation of its grain. Is it glossy or matt? Soft or harsh? Read the first couple of sentences, the first paragraph. Let it sink in. Are the words materializing in your mind? Can you visualize the landscapes, the outfits, the faces and the emotions? Congratulations, you have just entered the amazing universe of books! Besides being an excellent way of taking some time out of an overwhelming schedule, a book is the number one way to broaden your vocabulary. As a child, it is your main way to learn your language. Good communication skills start first with having acquired a good database. To be able to produce words, you first need to have those words in your database. Books make you build that words bank. Books change you. They only give you twenty six letters and then make you build a world, travel between universes, go to places you would have never heard of otherwise, and develop feelings and emotions towards characters that become people. A book club is there to reconnect you with all of this and to connect you with people who are, just like you, in need of an intellectual escape. A book club is gym for your imagination, your inner spirit. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want a fat, heavy, slow body; why would it be any different for your mind? I first joined a book club when I was sixteen. I was in high school, it was no deep philosophy that we were discussing, just novels adapted to our age. And it was

all we needed, because we felt bound by something greater than our favorite sport, our favorite dish, our favorite brand of shoes, phones, or clothes. We were connected to as many stories as it can possibly be created by fifteen creative young minds, boiling in their own imagination. And we would so eagerly be waiting for the next session to know how the others felt about that specific scene, what it meant to them, what color and what flavor they gave it according to their own personal story. It also helped us develop critical thinking. It helped us look beyond the succession of words as we started reading more complicated books, drifting from fiction to history, geopolitics, essays. We confronted our opinion to that of other people, it made us learn new things, understand new concepts, and look at the world differently, preparing us for the bigger challenges of life that were waiting for us. In Qatar, my husband and I attended a book discussion on a university campus, together with young and old people, locals and expats. The amazing exchange that took place made each one leave enriched by the input of the others. We felt the need to take this outside the few libraries and campuses. We wanted to revive the love for books in people, no matter their age, their occupation, their nationality. We wanted to find a way to gather Qataris and non Qataris around something they would both equally benefit from. So we decided to found the Qatar Book Club, where people would meet once a month around a cup of karak, a book, and spend an hour or two building bridges with other beautiful minds. Being part of a book club is not as boring as most might imagine. And because we have a dozens of ways of playing with books, I bet we can make you love it. So join us! To find out more about the book club, visit www. qatarbookclub.com or follow their handle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; @QtrBookClub

2014

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HEALTH & FITNESS

KICKING IT AT THE GYM PHOTOS BY ROB ALTAMIRANO LOCATION: FIT BY W HOTEL

EX-FOOTBALLER, MODEL AND CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER FOUED MOKRANI DEMONSTRATES A FEW EXERCISES THAT YOUNG FOOTBALLERS WOULD FIND VERY USEFUL IN BUILDING STRENGTH, RESISTANCE AND SPEED.

01 SQUATS

The Squat, a compound full body exercise, is the best for building overall strength. Squat by bending through your hips and knees, with or without weights on your upper-back, until your hips come lower than your knees (“breaking parallel”).

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02 WALL SQUATS

Stand against a wall, with your legs extended out. Your feet should be about 60 cm away from the wall. If you have knee pain or an injury, adjust your feet so that when you bend and straighten, you feel no pain. Hold the position for 5-10 seconds. Breathe evenly. If this position feels challenging to your muscles, pay attention to your breath; that should help you get you through. Eventually, you can work up to holding the position for 1-2 minutes.

03 LEG EXTENSIONS

Choose your weight and sit on the machine with your legs under the pad (feet pointed forward) and hands holding the side bars. This will be your starting position. Tip: You will need to adjust the pad so that is above your lower leg (just above your feet). Also, make sure that your legs form a 90-degree angle between the lower and upper leg. If the angle is less than 90-degrees, the knee is over the toes, which in turn creates undue stress at the knee joint. If the machine is designed that way, either look for another machine or just make sure that when you start executing the exercise you stop going down once you hit the 90-degree angle.

04 PLANK

Get into a prone position on the floor, supporting your weight on your toes and your forearms. Your arms should be bent and directly below the shoulders. Keep your body straight at all times, and hold this position as long as possible.

05 SIDE PLANK

For the starting position, lift your body off the ground and balance on one forearm and the side of your foot. Contract your abdominals and relax your shoulders. And breathe. Hold that position for as long as possible.

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COOL

EYE ENHANCERS The brand for color over the past 30 years, is totally renewing its iconic range of eye shadows. Dany Sanz, Founder and Artistic Director of Make Up forever, celebrates profusion and creativity by bringing out an exceptional range of 210 new-generation eye shadows ranging from nude to colorful shades . Introducing a breakthrough innovation in the eye shadow world which extends the boundaries of creativity in all aspects, this amazingly rich range includes custom-crafted colors in a delicate alchemy to offer women the optimal result. With Make up foreverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new generation of eye shadow, every woman is guaranteed to have the best in class results. With five different effects (matte, satiny, metallic, iridescent, diamond) and 9 color harmonies, this wide range adapts to any look you desire for your eyes!

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HALLOWEEN TREATS Make this the spookiest day of the year with some new Halloween products this year at Lush. Introducing a brand new and unique shape its Halloween bath bombs. Watch as the ends fizz away, while the bubble mix slowly melts into the bath creating a captivating stream of color. Northern lights bath bomb Inspired by The Night Circus book by Erin Morgenstern, this bath bomb creates the illusion of a night sky during the Northern Lights. Scented with our best-selling Christmas Eve fragrance, the Jasmine Absolute and Ylang-Ylang work together to create a soothing and calming fragrance. Sparkler bath bomb With the Sparkler bath bomb the brand has captured the effects of the bright and glittering lights of fireworks. Pop it in the bath and watch as the golden color streams throughout the water, while the popping candy recreates the sound of exploding fireworks. Lord of Misrule bath bomb This bath bomb is back a second year. Pop into the bath and watch it slowly dissolve turning the water into a wine color, while the fair trade vanilla absolute fills your senses. This is offset by the earthy scents of black pepper and patchouli oil. Both of these new bath bombs and the returning. Lord of Misrule will be available from Halloween 2014 through to Christmas 2014.

THE FOLLOWING ARE LIMITED EDITION FOR HALLOWEEN ONLY …

BEAUT Y AND A GOOD CAUSE Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, with more than 200,000 diagnosed annually. Unfortunately, around 40,000 of those will lose their fight against the disease, making it the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in women globally. Experts agree that in order to detect the symptoms early, it is vitally important to increase awareness amongst women and doctors alike. Which is why in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness, Tweezerman, recognised for innovative beauty products, features the iconic breast cancer awareness pink ribbon on their award winning Slant Tweezer every year. During the month of October, the globally renowned beauty product brand donates a portion of each product sold to organisations devoted to cancer care and finding a cure. This year’s limited edition ‘Precision in Pink’ Slant Tweezer has a fresh fun look, covered in pretty pink and white grosgrain ribbons on a pristine white enamel finish.

Pumpkin bubble bar What is Halloween without a pumpkin? Crumble this sparkly number under a running tap and watch as the water envelopes with our PET free gold lustre. Fragranced with orange flower absolute, which is uplifting and toning for the skin, along with blackcurrent absolute, juniper berry and lime oils. Wizard bubble bar This little character works its magic from the moment you crumble it under a running tap into the bath. Popping candy and the scent of ylang ylang oil, juniper berry and tangerine create a spell binding bath time experience. Fairy Ring soap Inspired by the mythical creatures of fairies, this fairy house design is packed with magical ingredients. Myrrh oil, patchouli and opopanax oil work together with shiitake mushrooms, which have anti-ageing properties as they contain a rich source of kojic acid. This soap is then topped off with the fragrance of the new gorilla volume three perfume, also called Mycelium.

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GIZMOS

These nifty gadgets will make going to back to campus exciting. Back-to-school blues? Never heard of such a thing!

ONE KEYBOARD TO RULE THEM ALL Finishing your assignment and texting your bestie at the same time? No problem. This Bluetooth-enabled multi-device keyboard from Logitech (with a smartphone/tablet cradle) can be paired simultaneously with different devices and can easily toggled between them for effortless multiple-tasking. And that super cool neon green doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt either.

WRITE SMART Never miss a word of class and automatically transfer all your notes to your tablet or computer with the Livescribe Pulse Smartpen. The pen records everything you hear, say and write (on the special Livescribe notebook), while linking your audio recordings to your notes. Later, just tap your handwritten notes to play back what was said at that point in time.

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GOODBYE, CLUTTER We know how hard it is to keep your worktop clean. That’s why you need all the help you can get. This Quirky Space Bar can sport the weight on an iMac and can also stow a keyboard up to 18 inches long by 1.5 inches. The six USB ports on the shelf are perfect for all your connectivity needs.

NEVER MISS A MOMENT Don’t be the nerd at the party who is always clicking pictures. Let the Narrative Clip do the job for you while your hands are free to hold drink, socialize and work the turntable. This wearable 5MP camera automatically takes two pictures every minute (double tap to capture a special moment) and syncs them to your photo library. Warning: Could be considered creepy.

WAKE ME GENTLY You no longer need to be jarred awake in the mornings; this gentle alarm clock with bath you in a warm glow of light instead of harsh sounds. The gradually brightening light cues your body to produce more cortisol and sets a healthy sleep/wake cycle, warding off your early morning blues.

LISTEN IN COMFORT ALL THE WORLD’S A SCREEN No more crowding around a tiny screen when you want to share a funny video during lunch. The pocket-sized Optoma Pico Projector can project an image of size up to 60 inches on any flat screen. Just connect to your smart phone, iPod, portable gaming devices, notebook or any other device which features a video out port.

Is your earphone being a pain in the ear? These custom-molded earphones will sound better and fit better because they are crafted exclusively for you. This new earphone system is the best earphone we have ever created! Better sound, better seal, and better fit. Create a perfect fitting earphone with the silicone molding tray provided and you are good to go.

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AROUND TOWN

DOHA’S ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE

CLOSE TO A HUNDRED ENTHUSIASTIC PEOPLE GOT TOGETHER ON A FRIDAY MORNING AT 8 A.M. TO DOUSE THEMSELVES WITH A BUCKET OF ICE COLD WATER? THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AT THE ST. REGIS HOTEL ON 22 AUGUST.

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Enthusiasts were asked to bring their own bucket and towel. The challenge was held on the beach and donations were pledged for ALS research – a neurological disorder medically known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. On 23 August Wyndham Grand Regency took on the challenge with its employees, staff and guests participating in the task at hand. The ice bucket challenge has literally flooded the internet with videos and images of individuals agreeing to douse themselves in a bucket of ice cold water. Celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Lopez and even 2014 men’s Wimbeldon winner Novak Djokovic, have posted hilarious videos of themselves taking up the task and spreading the word.

100 THOUGHTS EXHIBITION ON AT VCUQ TIM MAKOWER HAS BEEN CREATING SKETCHBOOKS, AS AN EXTENSION OF HIMSELF, THROUGHOUT HIS TIME IN DOHA.

YOUNG QATAR JURORS AT GIFFONI FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATING THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DOHA FILM INSTITUTE AND THE GIFFONI FILM FESTIVAL IN ITALY, SIX JURORS FROM THE INAUGURAL AJYAL YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL WERE CHOSEN TO JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH JURY OF THE GIFFONI FILM FESTIVAL.

These small books reflect his fleeting thoughts, ideas and moments in a very direct and personal way. Each one holds starting points to different moments that he himself has explored, but by exhibiting them in the gallery context, Makower also invites the viewer to share his journeys, as well as construct their own personal narratives or ‘100 Thoughts’ in Doha. An exhibition of Makower’s work entitled, 100 Thoughts: Chapter 1 is on at VCUQ gallery from 15 September to 16 October. Entry is free.

They deliberated on the winners of the 44th edition of the film festival which took place from July 18 – 27. The six jury members from Qatar included Deema Al Hail, Naji Al Ali, and Ayah Al Ansari, in the 13+ category; and Abdulaziz Al Haddad, Sana Al Ansari, and AbdulKareem Anisetty, in the 16+ section. They were selected following a training provided at last year’s Ajyal Youth Film Festival. The participants had to submit a film review, from which the best six were selected to serve on the Giffoni Film Festival jury. The jurors from Qatar joined over 3,500 young people from countries including Italy, Brazil, Croatia, Russia and South Africa. This is the third year that Doha Film Institute has facilitated the attendance of young talents from Qatar at Giffoni. Fatma Al Remaihi, DFI’s Acting CEO and Director of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival said: “In many ways the Giffoni Film Festival has been an inspiration to us in the creation of our own festival in Doha. Although our festival is only one year old and Giffoni is now in its 44th year, the spirit of enthusiasm and boundless energy of youth is a common trait between our two initiatives. I am delighted that through our partnership, we were able to facilitate the attendance of six young people from Qatar to explore film with their peers from all over the world in the spirit of cultural exchange.” As part of its presence at Giffoni Film Festival, Doha Film Institute hosted an Iftar for delegates of the Festival, where visitors were provided with insights into local Qatari culture. A showcase of works by Qatar-based filmmakers was also presented, featuring a special programme of short films titled ‘Made in Qatar.’ The second edition of the Ajyal Film Festival will take place from December 1 – 6 at Katara Cultural Village

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