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M AY - J U N E 2 0 1 2

WhAT An insPiring mOnTh mAy hAs Been! heArTy COngrATuLATiOns TO The 373 yOung grADuATes OF 2012. WhiLe They PLAn Their jOurney AheAD, We TOO Are geAring uP FOr A jOurney OF A DiFFerenT kinD. yes, iT’s The summer hOLiDAys, AnD We hOPe yOu hAve LOADs OF Fun. FOr sTArTers, We WOrkeD On A hOLiDAy-insPireD issue FOr yOu!siT BACk AnD enjOy. see yOu AFTer The BreAk...

Happy Holidays!

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Address all your 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 & 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 of the 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.

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issUE 12 MAY - JUNE 2012

Summer HolidayS are back

again!campuS gets ready for a

fun-filled summer break.

adelepower packed

performersinging sensation adele has

come a long way fromher humble beginnings.

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THe k.i.S.S. way To HealTHy eaTingkeep it simple & successful

empower 2012youth lead the future

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woman on a bargepassion is what keeps captain alejandra rabanal mendez, one of the few women to work in a male-dominated marine industry, on her career path.

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from claSSeS To THe maSSeS...faTima muneer iS living Her dream

imaginaTion iSinnovaTion

team ‘technology lanterns’ will represent Qatar at microsoft

“imagine cup 2012” worldwidefinals in sydney.

SucceSS SToryhow to make it big in the banking sector withhsbc ceo, abdul hakeem mostafawi.

wHaT iS an arab woman?this is the Question that dr amal al-malki addresses in a new book titled arab women and arab news: old stereotypes and new media.

THeTrue

gamerthomas ryan is a gaming

genius who makes money while he plays (works).

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6 issue 12 2012

“When I think about holidays I immediately remember my childhood days, how my grandpa and I used to spend Eid. I remember creating surprises for friends, planning parties and get-togethers,the lights, the smell, the smile on every one’s face, the way people took time out to join their families and friends. I always get happy by seeing people around me full of energy, joy and excitement whenever there’s a holiday around. This is why I love holidays and I call it magical.”HaSSan kamal kHan, STenden univerSiTy in QaTar

“Holiday always reminds me of summer, family, friends and home. It makes me feel light-headed. A travel holiday has always been a trip to the hills/mountains where we camp, or stay on a hill station for a couple of days.”mujTaba QureSHi, TexaS a&m univerSiTy in QaTar

Summer holidays are back again!

The Beach. Siestas. Relaxation. Party times. Adventure. Friends and Camping....yes, it’s the holidays calling!Campus gets ready for a fun-filled summer break.

Happy HolidayS

“Holiday means enough time in the day to sleep. As long as you get that in, you’re good to go.” omer moHammad, norTHweSTern univerSiTy in QaTar

Holidays are...

8 issue 12 2012

dream destinationsWhat makes these places a must-visit? CAmpus finds out.

I love the city so much - its people, the community, the shopping, the food. There’s so much to it that I love, and I honestly can’t explain my joy and affection for the place. The winters are crazy cold though. I spent six months in the city and literally turned into a new person.omer moHammad,norTHweSTern univerSiTy in QaTar

It is the epitome of paradise.Salima al-iSmaili,norTHweSTern univerSiTy in QaTar

Zanzibarspectacular coral reefs envelop the beautiful sandy beaches-nature at it’s best!don’T miSS: snorkeling is the best way to get closer to the exotic marine treasures that Zanzibar is blessed with.

ChicagoVibrant neighborhoods and stunning architecture gives this city an electrifying mix of history and modernity.don’T miSS: With exhibits ranging from paintings, marine life, to artifacts, science and technology, and astronomy-no wonder Chicago’s museums are ranked among the best in the world.

Happy HolidayS

10 issue 12 2012

Switzerlandsnow-kissed mountains and lush green pastures – a photographer’s delight! don’T miSS: switzerland is home to some of the world’s most heavenly chocolates. Think Toblerone, Lindt, Nestle. Bite in.

I love the Alps, the chocolate, the people, the cities, the hills, the diversity, the low crime-rate. I could go on...nadim rifai, georgeTown univerSiTy in QaTar

It is one of the places I always wanted to visit when I was a child. I love the idea of being at a beach, where everything is calm and all you can hear are the sounds of the waves crashing.anaS Halbawi,carnegie melon univerSiTy in QaTar

HawaiiBlue turquoise waters and clear blue skies – feels like heaven!don’T miSS: Being a cluster of islands, Hawaii provides ample water sports for adrenaline junkies. mountain tubing at Kauai Island seems fun!

12 issue 12 2012

my visit to singapore was the most memorable experience as it was the first time I visited a country outside my home country, pakistan. The place where I stayed in is called Little India. I was astonished to see how people from different cultures and religions lived together. Visit to the sentosa Island was one of the best experiences of the trip.HaSSan kamal kHan,STenden univerSiTy in QaTar

Las VegasGlitz, glamour and game – the city has everything. Let the party begin!don’T miSS: since most casinos have age restrictions, a safer option would be the arcades where you can try your hand at gambling without any money involved.

This city is built for entertainment lovers. I was always amazed to see the city’s pulsating and vibrating life, its beautiful and serene beaches, and big casinos. The city has numerous entertainment packages whether it is comedy or circus. The quality of what is offered is simply unbelievable.HaSSan kamal kHan,STenden univerSiTy in QaTar

SingaporeOne of the cleanest cities in the world, singapore also boasts of a rich cultural diversity and a spectacular skyline!don’T miSS: A boat ride from Clarke Quay at night gives you a great view of the bustling restaurants and clubs around the quay, and you can also spot the merlion.

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Two weeks of utter enjoyment with your closest pals is the best adventure ever. We met a lot of great people there, went on a safari, boat rides, played around with alligators, stayed over at a beach resort and of course partied like there’s no tomorrow.louiS joS moyalan,STenden univerSiTy in QaTar

KenyaA country with enchanting islands, dense tropical forests, rich wildlife and a colorful culture promises an extraordinary experience.don’T miSS: National parks are home to some of the most magnificent and endangered species. safari time!

PhuketWhile the many islands offer breathtaking sunrise and sunset views, a walk in the old towns is riddled with flavors and souvenirs.don’T miSS: A visit to the beautiful pagodas and Buddhist temples is sure to relax your mind.

A friend of mine was lucky enough to travel there and experience its awesomeness. It looks like paradise.louiS joS moyalan,STenden univerSiTy in QaTar

14 issue 12 2012

Travel Guidehandy tips for a hassle-free vacation

THree THingS To remember wHen packing your bagS. Roll your clothes, rather than fold. It takes less space, and avoids wrinkles. Dump in spare polythene bags. You never know when they might come handy. If you are taking gadgets, remove the batteries. It saves on the battery life,

and also prevents security issues in the airport.

plan well. When deciding on a destination, look out for factors such as: What climate do I prefer?Are there any festivals or carnivals that I can attend?Am I an adventure lover, beach lover or art lover?Am I going with friends or family?

gadgeTS on THe go. Though they say the best way to enjoy a vacation is to ‘switch off’, you could pack in: your mobile-useful during emergencies, a torch/flashlight-if you are going trekking, a music player-to give you company on long road-trips and of course your camera.

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Happy HolidayS

152012 issue 12

“I love going to places where the local residents hang out in their free time, to try and get a feel of what the city is like for a resident, not for a tourist. I try to go to their coffee shops and parks. That makes me feel closer to that country, instead of viewing it through a tourist’s lens.”

nadim rifai, georgeTown univerSiTy in QaTar

“The must-have accessory for travelling is the thirst for adventure because only you can make the trip exciting and worth it. Whatever the country has to offer, be it cuisines, sights, architecture, festivals etc – let the experience take

a hold of your senses.”louiS joS moyalan, STenden univerSiTy in QaTar

long road TripS can give you an uneasy stomach. Two quick fixes: Opt sitting in the front seat as it’s less bumpy or nibble on ginger which has a magical cure for nausea.

The best part of a trip – Souvenir SHopping. It’s advisable not to buy souve-nirs from malls or the duty-free in airports – they cost double. Go out on streets – you will find the cutest and the cheapest ones. Also check what the “made in” tag reads. Buy something that is exclusive to the place.

say cheese! wHen iT comeS To pHoTogra-pHy:Be creative with poses, not repetitive. Jump, play, laugh, hug, run – go crazy.Go more for group pictures rather than solo shots, it saves time and camera memory too. Try out different angles. Take candid shots rather than regular.

If you wish to be an eco-conSciouS Traveler, use the public transporta-tion when holidaying. They are not just eco-friendly; you can experi-ence the real city life.

KFC. mcDonalds and star Bucks are everywhere – please avoid them. Instead Savor THe delicacieS of what the city offers. Don’t stick to dining at your hotel. Go out on the streets; ask locals for the best eateries in town – they know it best. Not just food, also try out some locally produced fruits and veggies that you would have never come across.

packing firST aid.make your own tiny kit comprising pills for flu and cough, mosquito repellents, band-aids, lip balm, painkillers, wet wipes and sanitizers. Though chemist stores are everywhere, a language barrier may be a hindrance in case of emergencies. Also, don’t forget your sunscreen lotion!

How do you click your Snap wHen alone? people who travel solo generally resort to the following techniques: click your reflection from the mirrors; take a shot of your shadow on the beach, walls or road; focus on hands or feet when holding rare objects; use the camera timer to get a full shot. Or else, pester a passer-by.

be a courTeouS Traveler. Don’t litter. Don’t mock cultures or traditions. Dress appropriately. Obey the law. Nothing breaks the ice with locals better than a warm greeting in their language.

Travelling wiTH friendS can be a whole lot of fun, but make sure you don’t turn foes by the end of a disorganized trip. plan an itinerary that has something for everyone. Be careful on money matters – make sure each pays rightfully for what they spend. Assign responsibilities for each.

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16 issue 12 2012

I KnowWhat You

ShouldDo This Summer!

bynadira

amaraSingHe

Happy HolidayS

172012 issue 12

In today’s fast paced, technological world it is sometimes virtually impossible for us to really cut off from everyday life and truly relax, but it is vitally important for us to do so if we are to gain something of value from our vacation - something that will help us come back mentally and physically ready to face the demands of a new semester or academic year.

Here are a few areaS in wHicH a True reSTful vacaTion can benefiT uS:

vacaTionS promoTe creaTiviTy: A good vacation helps us relax and get back in touch with our inner selves which in turn allows us to tap into mental resources that might have been buried under feelings of fatigue and stress.

vacaTionS STave off burnouT: We all know how electrical appliances, if used continuously will burnout faster; well, the same applies to our bodies. Vacations give us time to switch off and recharge our batteries and return to our usual life on ‘full power’ once our holiday is done.

vacaTionS Help your body regeneraTe: Relaxing completely allows the cells in our bodies to rejuvenate. A good vacation reduces the likelihood of us taking time off sick during the rest of the year.

many of uS reTurn from vacaTion exHauSTed. THe pHraSe “i need a vacaTion To recover from my vacaTion” iS familiar To many of uS. How do we enSure THaT we Truly reST on our vacaTion?

geT enougH Sleep. most of us are sleep deprived during the better part of the year, so use your holiday to repay your sleep debt which will also help you consolidate some memorable moments. This doesn’t mean you can’t dance the night away or stay up late watching movies with your friends, it means that when you do this you should sleep as long as you want the next day with no alarms going off to remind you that you are due somewhere in an hour.

Spend Time enjoying food. students, very often, either eat on the run, or starve and then binge. You hardly ever have time to appreciate food as more than just fuel to keep us going. Food can also be a pleasure and celebration. Try dining rather than just eating, enjoy your food

socially as well as physically. Enjoy new tastes and the people with whom you dine. Holiday meals often become wonderful memories.

geT ouTSide. This might be difficult to do if you are staying right here in Qatar, with the rising temperatures, but make use of the evenings that might be comfortable. A walk on the Corniche can help just as much an idyllic trek along a green hillside or a stroll down a bustling sidewalk in some exotic holiday location. What is important is fresh air and the sight of something other than lecture halls, classrooms and libraries.

empHaSize experienceS. Don’t treat a vacation like it is an assignment or project, where you give yourself deadlines within which you have to complete a set number of tasks on a check list, such as visit 15 tourist stops, eight malls and three amusement parks in 10 days. Take your time to look around and see the unexpected. stroll leisurely through your holiday. Don’t run!

Take Time for people. Whether you are catching up with friends and family whom you don’t have time for during the academic year, or whether you are mingling with the locals at your holiday destination, it doesn’t matter. Just make connections that don’t involve study groups, mentoring and/or pleading for that extra credit to get you through the semester. When you are relaxed it is amazing how many new facets of other people’s personalities become apparent to you.

reST in your own Special way. To some it might mean lounging on the beach, to some it might mean catching up on movies throughout the day, but to others it might mean hiking through the countryside, or even shopping. Do whatever helps you relax and gets your “happy” neurotransmitter, serotonin, pumping.

a minimum Two-day gadgeT deTox. If your heart beats to the same rhythm as the blinking red light on your Blackberry, or you hyperventilate when separated from your ipad, then a gadget detox is something you need to do this summer. Take at least two days break from virtual connections. You will be amazed at how much more you can relax when you aren’t being ‘pinged’ or ‘poked’ or ‘tweeting’ or ‘writing on walls’.

Have a great summer!

It’s summer again! It’s time to let go and relax, to put aside all those late nights and early

mornings that seem to go hand in hand with being a student. But do we actually understand

the importance of a real vacation?

18 issue 12 2012

So what if you don’t have travel plans this summer break. Campus finds you things that you can do in Qatar.

Staycationideas

be advenTurouSApart from the popular malls and cafi, there are quite a few perfect hangout zones that are generally unheard of. Get a bunch of friends, grab some snacks, pull out your car, and plan some fun road trips.

Head to the North to explore the prehistoric stone carvings in Al Huwailah, the historical umm salal mohammed fort and Barzan tower, magnificent mangrove forest at Al Dakhira, and the Al Zubara fort.

Head West, and you would find the serene Dukhan beach, the protected oryx species at the Oryx farm at Al shahaniya, and the fascinating forts and remnants of old settlements at Zekreet.

Head south East, and hear the singing sandunes, or plan an overnight camp at Khor Al udeid-The Inland sea from where you can also see the border of saudi Arabia.

conTacT: QaTar inTernaTional TourS (+974-44551141) or QaTar inTernaTional advenTureS (+974-44553954 for organized TourS.

be generouSThere are a lot of NGOs in Qatar who are in the look out for volunteers such as Best Buddies, QAWs (Qa-tar Animal Welfare soci-ety), Qatar Foundation for Elderly people, shafallah Center, Hope Qatar, etc to name a few. You could trade your extra hours of sleep for some community service. You not just make new friends, you feel good too.

be creaTiveHolidays are a great time to nurture your inner talents. Look up the various universities in Qatar Foundation itself for the summer courses they offer or you could ring up the various cultural centres in the city. You could learn photography, fashion designing, cal-ligraphy, painting, a new language, music, dance or driving. pursue your hobby!

Happy HolidayS

192012 issue 12

be fiTIf semester assignments kept you busy for workouts, holidays are the best time to indulge in one. since you are at home, keep half an hour aside every morning for a quick workout. If your home gets too cozy for comfort, hit the gym or join a fitness centre that offers classes in zumba and aerobics-fun ways of staying in shape, or join yoga for inner health. Do your body a favor!conTacT: aSpire acTive or fiTneSS firST.

be profeSSionalIf time’s too precious for you, search for companies offering summer internships. It will give you a good exposure of the working culture. Looking for pocket money? scout the newspapers for a part-time job. It’s the experience that counts!

be a SporTBe it swimming, tennis, badminton, snooker, basket ball or cricket-use the time to develop yourself as a pro. self-defense classes are useful too – aikido, karate, taekwondo, kick-boxing, etc. A kick here and a punch there-learn to play safe!conTacT: al dana club or THe diplomaTic club for SporTS acTiviTieS; or THe korea Taekwondo cenTre or THe SHeraTon HoTel fiTneSS cenTer (aikido) for Self defence claSSeS.

“This summer break I will be staying in Doha. so I am planning to try what the city has to offer for holiday enthusiasts like me. I have plans to do all sorts of unusual things that might include flying a gyro copter and maybe bungee jumping.”mujTaba QureSHi, TexaS a&m univerSiTy in QaTar

20 issue 12 2012

AdElEpower packed performer

y0ung TurkS

212012 issue 12

early beginningSAdele Laurie Blue Adkins, better known to the rest of the world as Adele, was born in Tottenham, North London; she was raised by her single mother penny Adkins, whom her father left when Adele was just three years old-something the star finds difficult to forgive.

Adele’s tryst with singing started at a young age. As like every other little girl back then, she had a huge obsession with pop band of the moment ‘The spice Girls’. Adele would impersonate her fave act, charming guests at dinner parties with her singing and dancing.

It’s clear the band had a major influence on her, as she revealed in an interview: “they made me what I am today.”

Adele graduated from the BRIT school for performing Arts & Technology in 2006, alongside a few famous classmates including Leona Lewis and Jessie J. And it was all thanks to a friend posting her demo on social networking site Myspace, that Adele was approached and signed by a record company.

awarding TimeSAdele swiftly went from step to step, gaining

a repertoire among the music world’s elite for her larger-than-life voice. In 2007, she scooped the ‘Critics Choice Award’ at the BRIT Awards. And in 2008, with the release of her debut album 19, would go on to later achieve two Grammy Awards in 2009 for Best New A r t i s t a n d B e s t F e m a l e p o p Vo c a l performance.

But it was her second album 21, released in January 2011 that took the world by storm. With smash hits such as Someone Like You and Rolling In The Deep, Adele was the talk of the town and ultimate success story of 2011.

Singing SenSaTion adele HaS cerTainly

come a long way from Her Humble

beginningS. THe cHarT Topper, wHo Turned 24 on may 5TH, HaS

managed To caTcH THe aTTenTion of THe world wiTH Her vocal proweSS.

campuS TakeS a look aT THe life of a living

legend.

22 issue 12 2012

The mega catchy album 21 sold over 17 million albums worldwide, reached number one status in over 26 countries, won two BRIT Awards and three awards at the American music Awards. A huge achievement came at the 2012 Grammy Awards, when Adele did what no other female artist has ever done before, went home with a whopping six Grammy awards; applause!

love and loSSIt is known that Adele’s album 21 is inspired by a relationship with a former flame, which Heat magazine recently revealed to be photographer Alex sturrock. T he pair supposedly dated between 2008 and 2009,

and were said to have a very intense yet volatile relationship. Although no official reason was given for the break-up, it is rumored that he refused to call Adele his girlfriend, despite sharing an apartment together.

In various interviews, Adele has highlighted that her emotional track someone like you, is about the fear of her ex partner moving on to find happiness, and that she would be left alone.

That wasn’t to be the case, as Adele has moved on and found love again with new boyfriend simon Konecki, head of charity Drop4Drop, who she now happily lives with.

cover girlAdele’s natural beauty and fuller figure has won her an allegiance of fans. Her size has come under scrutiny in the past, and fashion royalty Karl Lagerfeld caused controversy about the singer when he blurted in an interview to a French newspaper that she was “a little too fat”.

Biting back at the comment, Adele revealed to People magazine: “I’ve never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines. I represent the majority of women and I’m very proud of that,” she said.

However, the star has appeared on copious high profile titles, even securing a place on the front cover of Vogue; lucky girl!

“i’ve neverwanTed To

look like modelSon THe cover of

magazineS.i repreSenT THe

majoriTy ofwomen and i’m very

proud of THaT.”

24 issue 12 2012

CaseClosed!

For the third consecutive year, Stenden University Qatar (SUQ), were the proud winners of the International Case Competition held at the College of North Atlantic in Qatar

(CNAQ) from March 23-25, 2012. SUQ had previously won CNA-Q’s GCC Competition in 2008 which made their win this year the fourth in a row. The competition is organized annually by CNAQ and each year, Stenden University has come out with flying colors. Rubina Singh talks to SUQ’s Student Representative Council’s (SRC) Vice-President

Saima Bukhari on the experience of being a member of the winning team.

wHaT iS a caSe compeTiTion?A “Case Competition” is a case study that is given to a team of students with no access to internet, books or

any other support material. The competing teams read the case, analyze it, find the problem, get solutions and then present how to execute this solution in the real world.

A 20-minute presentation and a 10-minute defense (Q&A) is the only area which gets judged and on the basis of which the scores are given. The competition requires a team of four members to participate and goes on for three rounds and the scoring is done out of 19.

This year, the judges were mostly from CNAQ and some from stenden university and a much smaller number of executives. Two teams from stenden university, five from CNAQ and two from CNA Canada as well as one team from Bahrain poly technic participated in the competition.

give uS a brief overview of THe ruleS Surrounding THiS compeTiTion?This competition focuses on case based learn-ing. The process begins when teams of four

enter the preparation room for two and a half hours. At this point we have never seen the case and have only our brains to tackle the problems. In the time to prepare, we not only have to understand and analyze the problem but also give solutions to the problems as well as create a 20-minute presentation to present it to the panel of judges. Cases vary across the business field: personal, ethical, internation-alization, financial, corporate social respon-sibility. After winning three rounds you head to the finals.

wHaT TopicS were included in THiS year’S compeTiTion?At this year’s International Case Competition, we had two personal cases about individuals in India having to make a decision on their organization keeping their personal relations in mind. It was very interesting and gave us a new outlook and different aspects to consider.

aT a SubjecTive level, wHaT waS your experience like? SHare wiTH uS Some of THe upS and downS...At the end of all the presentations we would wait for the feedback from our coaches and

Saima bukHari wiTH THe TropHy

pic courTeSy: cnaQ SupporT STaff

young TurkS

252012 issue 12

that was probably the most nerve wrecking part. We wanted to live up to their expectations and standards more than anything.

This year I did not expect to win. We were winning the rounds but it didn’t feel the same. Our second team wasn’t doing as great and it was pulling us all down. When the results for the third round came out, we won the round but we were indifferent. Later we realized we were in the lead and competing for the first place. This is when our spirits soared again. For me, this was the happiest time throughout the competition. It gave us the boost we needed for the finals. On the last day, at the final round we were doing great. However, before our presentation we got nervous. We didn’t care about the prizes but having the title was much more worth it. The ceremony built up and our blood pressure rose a little each time. When the result for the second place was announced, stenden supporters jumped up in joy. I sat looking around, keeping my composure and waiting for the 1st place announcement to take place. Even though we were prepared to be 2nd, being 1st was even better. my team, Athena Consultancy, did it again! First it was the Internal Case Competi-tion in stenden university and now

International Case Competition!

wHaT do you THink waS THe SecreT of your Team’S SucceSS? How did THe STenden univerSiTy coacHeS play a role?I am very proud of my team mates. This is my second time winning at the International Case Competition. The first time I did it, I was a freshman at stenden university, now I am in my third year and happy to be making the university proud. T he International competition would not have been successful for us if it weren’t for our supporters, coaches and my team mates. Every single person contributed to our journey which made it an exceptional year. This was impossible to achieve without the support of the complete stenden family.

wHaT iS THe moST imporTanT aSpecT of THiS experience for you perSonally?stenden is so proud to have their name on the golden trophy for the third year in a row that we had a congratulatory celebration in uni-versity and one for all the participants of the competition.

It feels really good to make all these people proud. my family, my friends, my teachers,

my coaches, my university, my team, every-one! people have been kind and more impor-tantly God has allowed me to keep my head high and say proudly that I have done it.

wHaT are Some of THe THingS you learned or re-affirmed THrougH THiS experience?It’s a great way of learning the value of team work and co-operation. We could not have achieved this success if we only focused on our own individual strengths or glory.

To work as a team and use each other’s capabilities in co-ordination, is one of the most important personality traits to be a successful leader in the corporate world and experiencing it firsthand helps the importance of it all to sink in.

The excitement and nervousness for my second international competition remained after having done countless presentations in my educational career. I was still nervous when I had to be the first speaker for our final round this year.

The complete journey has been exciting and overwhelming. Now it has made me a more confident and stronger person and speaker. I am so proud to be part of the big stenden family and happy I can make them proud.

from lefT To rigHT : abdullaH al gHanim, Saima bukHari, SamanTHa Serrao and Sajid maHmood

pic courTeSy: cnaQ SupporT STaff

26 issue 12 2012

FromclaSSeSTo The

maSSeS...FaTima muneer iS livinG her dream

rom Forbes magazine, to the Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News, to USA Today, The Miami Herald, The Huffington

Post, Fatima muneer, a journalism student, has had her articles published in several American online newspapers. That is good news for Fatima, but what’s best is that it was her classroom submis-sions making waves, way ahead of her career.

“I’m privileged to attend one of the world’s top graduate schools for journalism – The Columbia university Graduate school of Journalism. The academics, resources and the highly knowledgeable faculty have helped me to achieve all this,” she says.

Fatima completed her degree in international relations from Georgetown university sFs-Q before she attended Columbia university and she shares her experiences in Doha and journalistic aspirations with CAMPUS.

young TurkSPic Courtesy: Kiran Alvi

272012 issue 12

congraTulaTionS on your burgeoning career in THe media world. Tell uS, wHaT goT you inTereSTed in THiS career paTH?I grew up watching my mum’s name get published in several journals, magazines and newspapers, as she was a freelance writer. I watched as she published her first interna-tional book back when I was in 8th grade and watched her get interviewed on national ra-dio. Books surrounded the walls of our house and hence naturally, I picked up writing from a very young age due to the environment I was in.

In school, I wrote fiction and non-fiction. I experimented with poetry. Every year, I had at least a couple of works published in differ-ent publications. I won awards for my writing. I paid the most attention during English Lit-erature class at school.

The fact that I was a shy child also prompt-ed me to write my feelings as opposed to voicing them. Little did I know that this would play a major role in my future.

wHere do you find inSpiraTion for your projecTS?I’m the kind of journalist who values a unique perspective on heavily covered topics and original reporting. I regularly browse through around 10 online news sites to keep myself updated on American and world affairs. Read-ing so much means that I also have the op-portunity to think of a new story idea or in-novative approaches to current stories.

Further more, going to the Columbia uni-versity also means that I’m studying in a program with the best students in this field and being taught by excellent professors. my peers and the faculty constantly inspire me to think creatively through the stories they cover and the ideas they pitch.

prior To THiS, you compleTed a degree in inTernaTional relaTionS aT georgeTown SfS in QaTar (SfS-Q). wHy SfS-Q?Having been an active model united Nations participant during my high school years in Oman, I wanted to study international rela-tions. I was then delighted to learn that one of the world’s top ranked international affairs schools opened a branch in a country that would spare me the pain of jetlag, while travelling back and forth from Oman.

wHaT kind of opporTuniTieS did SfS-Q preSenT THaT Helped Hone your SkillS aS an analyTical wriTer?Coming to sFs-Q made my writing take a sharp turn as I had to write academically and from an analytical point of view as opposed to creatively. In the fall of 2009, I was studying abroad on the D.C. campus when I got board members of The Hoya excited about having

someone from the Qatar campus write on sFs-Q events for the largest Georgetown daily. The moment I returned to Qatar, I be-gan corresponding. I thank the Admissions department for allowing me to be their blog-ger for prospective students, the Wellness department, for hiring me as their student Health 101 writer, and the HR department for having me as their media writer. Where conventional opportunities were missing, I created them.

How would you compare THe georgeTown univerSiTy campuSeS in QaTar and dc?sFs-Q is like an empty whiteboard with lots of space for new ideas to be sketched. This definitely helped me to take initiatives for bigger projects later on. Clubs get lots of re-sources, making it possible for students to turn ideas into reality. Collaboration pro-grams with the main campus, like studying abroad, help to ferry Hoya traditions from the hilltop to the desert.

studying abroad in D.C. has certainly alerted me of just how many things I took for granted at sFs-Q. Books are often unavail-able in the library due to the much larger student population, and cannot be checked out for more than a few days or else there is a fine to pay, there is no free printing and access to professors can be hard to get.

an inTereSTing perSonaliTy you Have come acroSS: Richard Wald, a professor here at Columbia who taught me “Critical Issues in Journalism” is quite a professor. On the last day of class, he told us all to “get out!”

finding THe rigHT balance beTween academicS and oTHer inTereSTS: Follow the golden rule - prioritize and set the agenda. The rest then just seem to make sense at the end of the day.

your dream job: As a foreign correspondent for Al Jazeera English

doS and don’TS of THe media world: DO a thorough research on your topic. This

means talking to as many relevant sources as possible, doing extensive background research and if possible, finding out how it has been covered in the past.DON’T get facts wrong. Listen very carefully; use an audio recorder if you have to. Journalism is about reporting the hard truth so you need to get every name spelling and number right.

fuelling your paSSion: I read a lot and keep myself informed on many topics. I love talking to people from different backgrounds and that is an advantage because I can frequently get new ideas for stories based on their experiences.

Quick Takes

“The fact that I was a shy child also prompted me to

write my feelings as opposed to voicing them. Little did I know that this would play a major role in

my future.”

28 issue 12 2012

SucceSS SToryabdul Hakeem moSTafawi – ceo of HSbc TellS uS

How To make iT big in THe banking SecTor.

bigwig

292012 issue 12

career paTH...I studied at the university of Ari-zona in the us and joined HsBC in Qatar directly after the comple-tion of my degree in Business Administration. Within the first

year of my employment I had the opportunity to attend leadership training at one of the HsBC Academies in Hong Kong. I returned to Qatar and embarked on my career journey with roles that included customer facing posi-tions, marketing and communications. I concluded my journey in retail banking as a branch manager. I then moved onto corporate banking and enjoyed an enriching career that culminated in the role as Head of Corporate Banking. In this role I managed the commer-cial banking as well as global banking divi-sions. I was part of the introduction of a number of new products and services for corporates in Qatar that included the estab-lishment of the Investment Banking platform in Qatar, a first for the country.

In October 2008 I was appointed as the CEO of HsBC Bank middle East in Qatar.

becoming THe ceo...I have always strongly believed that success is based on merit and personal performance.

From my first years in HsBC I worked at building positive relationships with my col-leagues and ensured that I learned as much as possible about the entire bank and all its operations. To ensure personal growth and development it is vitally important to under-stand the organisation as well as invest in the people that are part of the organisational success. Team work is extremely important.

I value diversity in teams and always en-couraged colleagues to share their different views and opinions as we can all learn from t h e i d e a s a n d e x p e r i e n c e s o f o u r co-workers.

I believe that my attitude, knowledge and skills culminated in my appointment as CEO of the bank four years ago.

THe biggeST mileSTone... I was part of an extremely dynamic and skilled team that established the investment banking platform in Qatar in 2006. This team has now grown into a strong and experienced group of professionals that have the skills set to serve our most important customers best. HsBC was the first bank in Qatar to provide these services in the country and other multi-national organizations.

In 2010, after two years as CEO in Qatar,

I was appointed as board member of the HsBC middle East and North Africa Region.

THe biggeST cHallenge...The global financial crisis happened one month before my appointment as CEO in Qatar. It was an extremely challenging time to take the position and I realized that every-thing in the banking world will be different. It turned out to be a revolution of changes in the banking and finance industry. But I did not just rely on my experience of 20 years, I also worked hard and learned from my own and others’ experiences. I still believe that this was my key to success.

banking & finance aS a career opTion...The media nowadays are full of stories where bankers’ salaries are scrutinized. I firmly believe that all industries receive the remu-neration that is equal to the value of this in-dustry to society. Banking & Finance play a very important role in the success of the global economy which underlines its importance.

QualiTieS reQuired...Hard work, dedication, loyalty, personal de-velopment and perseverance.

“To ensure personal growth and development it is vitally important to understand the organisation as

well as invest in the people that are part of the organisational success. Team work is extremely

important.”

30 issue 12 2012

While gap years are commonly taken by high-school graduates, university graduates in their 20s are also increasingly giving this option a serious

thought before they step into the job market.Though the practice of taking a gap year has been stigmatized, more and

more fresh graduates are considering the possibility of taking one after graduation. Career experts at Bayt.com offer advice for fresh graduates to

help them weigh their options.

career buzz

312012 issue 12

Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the middle East with more than 40,000 employersand over 7.250.000 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.

The new entrants to the work-force, the Gen-Y as they are called, characteristically display low risk aversion that is they are more risk-taking than their parents. Before stepping into the current sluggish job-market, taking a gap year may be the best thing considering what this experience can potentially teach you. By taking a year or two off (as long as it is economically feasible with no flexible student loans to pay-off) a fresh graduate can use the time to explore, try out multiple jobs, learn to live in a foreign place and test himself. This experience can lay a solid groundwork for fresh graduates, a ground on which they can build the essential early years of their career. Taking up odd jobs during your gap year is part of the experience; however these jobs are not for monetary gains but for sustaining you during this period. use this time to understand your motivations, what is it that you most want from your career? Is work-life balance important for you? Are you driven by monetary gains, or is it the excitement of a new challenge that gets you going? Asking yourself these questions will also help you define your career choice (in case you are still ambivalent about that).

Answering this question requires a lot of consideration and research on your part. To help you reach a well-thought decision, below are some yes-no questions that you can answer to see if a gap year is suitable for you:

Do you know how to be independent?Would you describe yourself as disciplined?Do you usually pursue your hobbies, interests, or talents?Do you have a skill or craft that can help you make some extra cash?Are you patient and easy-going?Are you adventurous and sociable?Can you live on a very low budget?Can you tolerate the idea of all your friends landing successful jobs while you don’t have one?Does your family usually support your decisions?Do you rarely flake out on your decisions after you’ve made them?

If you answered yes to most or all of the questions above, taking a year off may not be such a bad idea, as long as you know why you want to do so.The most common options for fresh grads are to travel or to participate in a community program - usually in a foreign country.You may decide to stay in your home country, but the biggest danger of doing so is that you end up doing nothing at all with your gap year! The idea of a gap year is not to sit around and do nothing at home. On the contrary, it is supposed to help you grow and evolve in ways that will help you in your future.

Why taking a ‘Gap Year’ after graduating is not

as bad as it sounds

So, is taking a‘Gap Year’ an option

for you?

32 issue 12 2012

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5

1234

6

SHow diScipline. Employers are looking for people with a track record of good work discipline, and a set of behaviors and habits that show them as respon-sible employees.

be a good learner. Be open to learning, not just new facts but learn from other people and from the feedback that you get. Employers look for people who don’t just think about what they know, but understand that their career is going to be a series of continuous learnings.

Team-SpiriT. unfortunately, historically a lot of university work has been about “your” grades and “your” projects. Employers however want people who can work collaboratively with others, in a team. show them your work as a team member. Remem-ber, it’s not always about you.

STrive for perfecTion. Employers want people who can take charge of tasks and complete them to per-fection.

be ambiTiouS. Youth do not always realize that they are also the drivers of their own future, and not just learners. You shouldn’t just come into the market and think that once I’m into an organization, I’m going to be moved from point A to point B to point C, and maybe I’ll end up at the top. You have to man-age yourselves. You have to understand your own skills. Emphasize your strengths; work on the weak-nesses that you can improve. Don’t wait for anyone to guide you through.

SHow off your academic recordS. past internships, international experience, projects, etc that demon-strate you are both able and wiling to learn and grow rapidly in different environments come handy.

Take univerSiTy projecTS SeriouSly. If you get the opportunity try to use a class project to get into an organization to expand your knowledge. Even if it’s not a long-term career stint with that organization, it will get you some kind of experience that you can talk about to your potential employers.

don’T look aT earning Quick money. The currency you really need as a student is experience. You can trade your time for experience rather than making money. It could be community service or volunteer-ing activities – these opportunities don’t pay you, but they give you experience to do great work that employers can value. They can see your potential as an individual through that.

HR professionals from the HEC Paris in Qatar guide us on how to make it to the

professional world.

career buzz

34 issue 12 2012

wHaTiS anarab

women?This is the question that Dr Amal Al-Malki, author and professor at

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, addresses in a new book titled Arab Women and Arab

News: Old Stereotypes and New Media, published by Bloomsbury

Qatar Foundation Publishing.

Talk

bycaSSeyoliveira

352012 issue 12

The book is a comprehensive survey of Arab women in Arab news. With inputs from leading scholars on gender and human rights, and by providing case studies – the statistical research demonstrates the unheralded

achievements of Arab women and highlights the continuing challenges that Arab women share with women worldwide.Dr Amal in conversation with CAMPUS...

arab women are noT ‘paSSive’...There has been centuries of stereotypes associated with Arab and muslim women being passive, oppressed and voiceless. New media is proving this wrong as it has become the medium through which Arab women can express their political and social activism. Recent examples are women’s roles in the Arab spring and the campaign for women’s right to drive in saudi Arabia.

your rejoinder To THoSe wHo STereoType arab women aS “veiled” and “voiceleSS”.It is really a shame that these stereotypes are a part of the western popular mind, given their persistency and the different forms through which they were manipulated and circulated, like in Hollywood for example. I am an Arab and a muslim woman who has a strong network of active and strong Arab women, both present and from our history. I am one of many who have shown rejection to these frames they try to confine us in, and I’ve expressed my rejection through writing this book.

impacT of 9/11 on arab women.The question of Arab and muslim women has been at the heart of the conflict and the misrepresentation of the East and Islam. It is one of the excuses that colonialism had used, and the “clash of civilization” rhetoric uses. It has been politicized enough in history and further used after 9/11 as an excuse against Islam and Arabs.

power of THe veil.It is the power of the will. To veil or not to veil is a personal issue that should not determine a woman’s piety. The veil means different things to different people and has been used to serve different contexts. It could be seen as

a political statement, a quest for identity, a religious expression, among other things.

THe arab woman.Arab women just like women all over the world are strong and weak, literate and illiterate, achievers/fighters and submissive/victims. T hey are the product of many ideologies, beliefs and traditions that they cannot be reduced to one homogenous entity. Arab women are similar to women worldwide and unique because of certain specificities.

cHallengeS.patriarchy is not a specific issue to Arabs, and women in many parts of the world are still subject to patriarchal rules and boundaries that hinder their progress. Other global chal-lenges are unstable economies and wars.

wHaT SHould be THe norm: QuoTa SySTem for gender eQualiTy or eQualiTy baSed on capabiliTy?It should be a combination of both. some change has to come from top down, and women rights need a huge push from

governments. Quota certainly helps women to take a part of a political system that was for so long male-dominated. After we become close to equal in numbers, we can talk about the capabilities of both genders not just women’s’.

inTereSTing STaTiSTicS To SHare baSed on your STudieS.There are two dichotomous facts when talking about women representation in Arab media. One is that women by and large are invisible in hard news. They appear in hard news only 1/5 as often as men. The second is there is an explosion of so-called “women’s media” that provides news and programming especially designed for women. Here women are over-represented in news, and this news tends to focus on topics that appeal to women’s growing consumer power without addressing their political empowerment.

meSSage To young women.All you need is to believe in yourselves. Don’t allow anyone to bind your capabilities by telling you what you can and cannot do.

“aS a woman, i wanT To be TreaTed juST like a man aS long aS i work, abide by ruleS and deliver THe Same ouTcomeS like Him.”

“arab women juST like women all over THe world are STrong and weak, liTeraTe and illiTeraTe, acHieverS/figHTerS and SubmiSSive/vicTimS.”

36 issue 12 2012

Passion is what keeps Captain Alejandra Rabanal Mendez, one of the few women to work in a male-dominated marine industry, on her career path.

Here she chats with Hermien stofberg.

WOMANON A BARGE

Talk

372012 issue 12

lejandra Rabanal mendez is the Captain on board of a Dp1 Crane Barge working at the mesaieed port. Her career started eight years ago when she attended the Escuela Nau-tica mercante Nautical school in mexico. she describes the maritime Academy as a semi-

military institution where she realised that she was no longer living in the fairy tale of her childhood. It was at school where she was first introduced to the difficulties of working in the historically male-dominated marine industry. Few women are able to manage this and Alejandra is one of them. The first position this vibrant young woman held was as a Junior Deck Officer on board a Chemical Tanker in the Green Canyon oil fields off New Orleans. she describes working as the only woman and only mexican together with a full crew from the Republic of Georgia by saying “I cannot say it was easy in the beginning but that is part of being in a men’s industry. No matter if it is in the middle East, Europe, America or any-where, I think around the world you will find some men who don’t want to be commanded by a woman.”

An application for work in a neighbouring middle Eastern Country proved unsuccessful because of a ban on women working on-board sea going vessels. “This is not a particular situation for Qatar. I can say that I am much respected here.”

Alejandra was working in the Emirates where she met a colleague who told her about an opening as Chief mate on-board a barge in Qatar. Her application for the position was successful and not long after she started work-ing in mesaieed, she was offered the Captain’s position. she presently commands a crew of eight men.

This is the first time in her career that Alejandra is not living on board the vessel she is working on. The freedom of being able to go

on shore whenever she wants is a rare break from the boredom which can be the norm when living for long period out at sea.

Alejandra spends most of her day working inside the bridge of the barge unless she has to check on maintenance or any other special work order. she has to be well informed of the mechanical and working condition of the ves-sel and wears an overall when working on deck or inspecting greasy spaces. In spite of the safety boots, helmet and goggles she has to wear, she has a firm grip on her femininity in a world dominated by men. “Living and work-ing in a male-dominated environment doesn’t mean you have to behave like them. You will always be a woman no matter where you are.”

she tells a story about female colleagues who change the way they walk or adapt a cussing habit to fit in with the men. But Ale-jandra strongly disagrees to this behaviour. “You can manage the job and the guys without acting like one.”

Alejandra feels that she has been accepted in this and other positions as commander because of her ability. Competence is very important to gain respect from the crew. That and the art of listening to the men in her charge have proven successful tools for man-aging diverse cultures on-board an interna-tional vessel. “We learn a lot of things from people who may not be educated but have experience in the field which is sometimes more important.”

Throughout her career of working all over the world, one particular position as second Officer on a semi-submersible rig by the name of ‘safe Concordia’ stands out as a favourite. This is where Alejandra met and worked with four men who mentored her in the finer arts of life in charge of a barge. she highlights two Captains who taught her the most valuable lessons in life and at work.

For a woman at sea, family plays an impor-tant role in achieving success. A rotation schedule of 60 days on and 30 days off allows this feisty young Captain time to spend with her relatives and friends who are all in mexico. Her family is supportive and a visit back home replenishes her energy to cope with a seven-day work week when in Qatar. The most dif-

ficult part of being away from home is when she has to miss the special events. With little time at home and long work days, finding love has had its own struggles. Alejandra feels that it is easier for women to accept their men working away from home than what it is for men to accept such a situation. “As everything in life, nothing is impossible and of course there are men that approve of this.” Alejandra is engaged to be married to one of those ac-cepting men. They are set to wed in October and the important day promises to revisit the fairy tale of her youth. Alejandra will be back in her post on the bridge of the barge after the honeymoon.

“I feel like the sea is my very best friend in whom I can trust” she says.

“We learn a lot of things from people who may not be educated but have experience in the field which is

sometimes more important.”

38 issue 12 2012

THe k.i.S.S. way To HealTHy eaTing

keep iTSimple

&SucceSSfulstudies consume a large amount of time and focus. You also invest in extra ac-

tivities such as socializing and family responsibilities. How do you keep your body and mind in great shape? And still have the energy and time to excel, without get-ting bogged down by the details of vitamins and minerals and calorie counting?

Busy minds and busy lives require foods that boost energy and are quick, afford-able and easy to make and consume. If you are fuelling your body with caffeine laden drinks, processed sugars and poor quality fats, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Give yourself a healthy advantage with these four tips:

wHaT’S on your plaTe?Balanced approach. use this plate as a guide to recognize a balanced meal. Fill up mainly on vegetables and fruits (at least half of what you eat at each meal), add to this high quality proteins (animal and/or plant sources) and whole grain carbohydrates (such as brown and wild rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta, potato) and be sure to include high quality fats (like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado and nuts).

Notice how the dairy is not on the main plate – this indicates that dairy is optional and should be considered as an extra to a balanced meal. There is much debate about the benefits and risks of consuming high portions of dairy products – you need to decide for yourself if it works for your body.

When you see the word protein – think protein and not animal. High quality animal protein is an option for a healthy diet, however consider the benefits and variety that plant based proteins such as beans, soy products and even leafy greens can offer.

Fats - where are they in this picture? Fats are essential to health and even weight loss! There are however fats that kill – such has hydrogenated oils and trans-fatty acids (most commonly found in restaurant meals and fried foods) and fats that heal – such as oils from nuts, seeds, olives, avocados.

HealTH & f iTneSS

392012 issue 12

eaT THe rainbow!No, I’m not referring to skittles or m&ms here - I’m referring to eating foods from the full spectrum of ‘natural’ colors. When was the last time you ate a naturally blue, purple or green food?

When you eat from the full range of colors, you ensure that you get the full range of vitamins and minerals that nature intended for your body. Eat-ing mainly fruits and vegetables and cooking them lightly or eating them raw will boost your health and energy levels without the need for stimulants such as coffee and caffeine.

eaT food, noT food-like SubSTanceSFruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, fish, fowl, meat are all examples of real food.

processed foods, such as fast foods, commercial chips, chocolate, caffeine, soda are examples of food-like substances. They look like food but are they good food or good marketing? Ask yourself if the food you are eating came from the ground, a tree, the sky or the sea. If the answer is no or I can’t tell, then it’s probably not food. There is no such thing as a soda tree or burger bird. Think about your food – is it giving you health and vitality or is it just giving a big business your money?

If you decide to eat food-like substances, then be kind to your body and mind and keep them to a minimum or an occasional treat. Fuel your success in life with food that powers your health and you will be grateful long after you finish your studies.

Following the KIss principle to healthy eating will go a long way to mak-ing food more fun, your body more beautiful and your mind more focused and successful.

Nicole van Hattem is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Raw Foods Teacher, Corporate Wellness Consultant, Speaker and Coach. As well as being the Founder & Director of Art of Abundant Living and CEO of Go Kidz Go! Follow Nicole on Twitter: AAL Nicole or Facebook: More Raw & Detox

Too mucH of a good THing?Yes, you can have too much of a good thing and we all know that we can definitely have too much of a bad thing. Keeping a balanced plate is great, however if you’re having a giant plate or several plates full at each meal, you could be side tracking your health goals and even making yourself sick.

use this handy guide to help you look at how much you’re eating in each meal. With your hand as a guide, you will always have a portion control tool handy to help you make good choices.

40 issue 12 2012

HealTH & f iTneSS

Summer tips forA BEAUTIFUL yOUHow to keep your skin, hair and nails looking healthy despite the scorching sun.

Did you know that water is the finest and most vital of all nutrients? The human body is made up of more than 65% water and we need to drink a minimum of 10 glasses per day in this hot and humid desert climate. This is to make up for the loss of water through per-spiration. Water keeps the skin well-hydrated and nourished allowing fresh new healthy cells to be produced. Caring for the skin on a daily basis with a good skin cleansing and moisturizing will also help to maintain a healthy skin growth.

Drink enough water fluids, eat more fruits and vegetables. make sure that you consume less of starchy carbohydrates, fried foods and coffee as these cause dehydration and makes it more difficult for our body to get rid of toxins. Thus our skin can suffer from toxin build up, causing lumps and bumps under the skin around the T-zone and hair line. unsightly blockages of ‘black heads’ professionally known as comedones can also be seen around the t-zone and even on the back, more often if our inner and outer

body is not kept clean. Be sure to always use an spF ( sun protection Factor) above 15 on

the face and body for a healthy tan, spF should be re applied dur-ing your time in the sun , even if you think it is not burning. Be careful not to place the lotion too close to the eyes unless it is a recommended professional sun “eye skin care” product, otherwise they can cause eye irritations and smarting of the eyes after being exposed to the sun rays.

Always use an after sun care cream-lotion. Also try some aloe vera or a product with essential oils of lavender, geranium or sandal-wood. They are all soothing and especially good for skin rejuvena-tion.

Avoid perfumes during bathing as some of the beautiful essence used, especially those from the citrus family of lime, lemon and orange can cause irritation, burning and pigmentation when the skin is exposed to direct sun rays.

Skin care

412012 issue 12

Hands say a lot about a person. From the henna on your hands, to the color of your nail polish or the shape of your nails. Ide-ally a manicure would be recommended at least every four weeks. During this treat-ment hands will be nourished, and joints mobilized, while nails will be preened to perfection. It is more important during the dry summer months to use hand creams and oils (almond oils) to nourish nails and cuticles. products with spF are highly recommended to protect them from the harsh sun rays. use an acetone-free polish remover to avoid drying out the nails.

When filing the nails, only file in one direc-tion and not back and forth as this will weaken nails. Emery boards should be

used instead of metal files as these can be too abrasive.

Choose a nail shape that suits your hands. shapes vary from round, oval, squoval, square and pointed and any good techni-cian will know which will suit your hand type.

Nail art is also becoming more popular, this allows you to be expressive, you can select patterns and/or gems, the options are endless.

For those of you on-the-go and without the required time to tend to your nails, it’s ideal to wear gloves while doing chores that involves water contact. You could add a couple of drops of olive oil inside the gloves as this will soften hands.

Hair careThe summer sun, high temperature and humidity may damage your hair cuticle resulting in dry, drab, split and ragged ends. Here we have few easy tips to have healthy, shiny and good looking hair:

shampoo your hair less often to allow your tresses to absorb natural oils, or you can go in for gentler cleansing. If possible finish your shower with a cold rinse that guarantees the sealing of the cuticle while it increases the natural shimmer.

Apply a hair serum all over your hair before going into the pool or the beach to protect your hair from the salt and chemicals that might be in the water and cause dryness.

Try to avoid the heated hair styling tools in summer like blow dryers, straighteners and iron curlers as much as you can. Try getting natural waves from braids and also think about switching into caps and hats when you are exposed to the sun.

If your hair is regularly exposed to the sun, then it needs a deep conditioner treatment. schedule this with your hair dresser!

nail care

The Qatar International Beauty Academy (QIBA) was established in Qatar in 2009, as a branch of the Social Development Centre with the prime objective to deliver consistently high quality training services within the beauty, spa and hair industry and to increase public awareness of the need for professional training and qualifications within the industry.

42 issue 12 2012

Must-pack items fora stylish travel.

CoolQuotient

CampusfaSHion

Don’t worry about misplacing your cosmetics.

Dump them in this baby pink trousse from sephora.

Add this handy lip balm from sephora to your cosmetics as well – no

more chapped lips.

Your pennies are safe in this colorful

little clutch from Furla.

Hitting the beaches? Gap’s spring/summer collection is a treat for all you beach lovers. Cool blue flip flops, hot pink shorts, blue stripe board shorts, and straw trilby... perfect!

You could never go wrong with t-shirts on a holiday. They are light, comfy and easy to pack. We love these cool colors from salsa.

For adventure junkies, a stylish way to do the dare.

sneakers from Lanvin!

432012 issue 12

Football fans are in for a treat. Adidas presents its next installment of the world’s most iconic

football boot, predator Lethal Zones in a bold blue and red look. On the ground, guys!

Accessory time from salsa. A bold bracelet for boys, and a pretty, spacious bag for girls-yes, both

with a touch of denim.

Holidays are all about comfort. so it would be clever to wear these cute pairs of ballerinas

from Repetto when off sight-seeing.

planning for crazy wild nights, girls? We

thought you could have a little more fun with these outrageous lip tattoos from Violent

Lips. They are tempo-rary, so don’t worry!

If a trip to snowy

landscapes is on your

itinerary boys, you better be packing these

smart cardigans from

Lacoste.

44 issue 12 2012

We have heard that sports is a part of a healthy lifestyle, but how do we know we are doing the right exercise for

our body everyday? Last month, the fifth school Olympic program (sOp) jointly organized with the supreme Council of

Family Affairs, a series of educational workshops about the importance of sport for school children, both physically and mentally. Executive Director of sOp, mohamed Al-Fadhala said, “I am delighted to offer this training workshop to highlight the benefits of sports and exercise for the body and mind, especially

for the young people of Qatar.”

Sports:A Brain-Developer

Here are THe HigHligHTS of THe workSHop...

When we talk about sports we think about running around

the block, swimming laps or even kickboxing in the gym – well how

about taking your brain out for a run? mental sports like chess, reading, studying

and research are all forms of exercise to stretch ‘brain muscles’ which can enhance concentration,

analytical skills and concentration!Research at the Nihon university in Japan has shown that

training greatly strengthens ones mental skills. For example, a 30-minute jogging program only 2-3 times a

week results in remarkable increase in academic tests! so if you are worried about an upcoming

exam, throw on your trainers and hit the Corniche with some friends!

did you know

your brain needS exerciSe

Too?

SporTS

452012 issue 12

Referring to his study “Youth psy-

chological Training”, pre-sented at Qatar Foundation’s Annual Research

Forum, sports psychologist mohamed Hussein Al-Ebezi stated that many educational institutions use

sports to achieve their goals. For example, German health experts advise children to practice some sports prior to starting a math exam or lesson. Or try jogging

before an exam and you are bound to achieve very high scores in your test! But like all good things,

this is not a quick fix – constant learning is crucial to maintain the high

academic results!

you are

SmarTer wHen doing

SporT.

Now, we are not trying to exaggerate here but this

idea is actually not too far off the truth! There have been numerous

discussions to make Ashtanga Yoga a part of future Olympic Games. Yoga has been a competitive

sport in India for a long time and anyone who practices Yoga on a regular basis will know how physically demanding it really is.

sports psychologist Al-Enezi also added the importance of visualiza-tion or meditation as a technique to picture yourself in a relaxing environment, like at the beach, an underwater environment, or any other place you find soothing. meditation, which actually comes

from the word ‘to make whole, to heal’ is the foundation of any physical healing plan because in meditation we are resting

our awareness in silence and stillness and are then able to heal our physical state. It is great to try this before

bed to relax your mind and to have a great night sleep!

so, if you are feel-ing a bit stressed about

your class assignments, you might just want to turn on the T V to distract yourself -

but research has shown that exercise is the best de-stressor around, and a healthy one too! sports, whether it’s a 10-minute walk or a gym workout, is one of the most effective stress-relief tech-

niques. Exercise makes your brain to produce natural mood-enhancers called endor-

phins, which help take your focus off your worries.

Take your mind off iT. geT

acTive!

yoga and

viSualizaTion - an olympic

SporT?

46 issue 12 2012

officials from the Green programme for schools (Gps) visited the Doha modern Indian school (DmIs) and Gharnata school for Girls to monitor the Gps execution in each school. Launched on June 5, 2011, Gps is the first environmental initiative for students in Qatar, with around 25000 students joining the campaign till date. The year-long program aims to Reach, Inspire and Reward students and schools by meaning-fully engaging the youth and inculcating in their

minds the importance of building green equity. The visit was part of the ongoing monitoring stage among par-

ticipating schools for the Gps initiative led by msheireb properties in association with Qatar Today magazine, and is supported by the supreme Education Council. Officials included Jawaher Al-Khuzaei (Communications manager of msheireb properties), Nawal Al-Ku-wari (from supreme Education Council’s Communications and In-

formation Office), Ravi Raman (Vice president of Oryx Advertising Company), and Amanat solanki (CEO of mission 20).

The Gps officials appreciated and encouraged students and the faculty for their active participation in the program. Certificates were also awarded to students who put their suggestions in the Gps idea boxes placed in the campus.

Addressing the students, Al-Khuzaei said, “Your passion for envi-ronmental conservation deserves a big thank you and sets a wonder-ful example to fellow students in Qatar. Your suggestions are very important, as new ideas are essential to enhance our efforts toward building a better planet. It is amazing to see so many young people take on this responsibility through our Gps campaign.”

meanwhile Raman added, “I see among you the kind of enthusiasm and initiative that I wouldn’t find in anyone else, which is an amazing testament to your capability and awareness. The Gps cannot work without your support. We encourage you to make this environmental initiative a habit and a responsibility.”

25,000 ScHoolSTudenTS become

green ambaSSadorSgreen programme for schools campaign gains momentum

ecopalGPS officials with staff and students of DMIS.

472012 issue 12

Commenting on the school visits, Al-Kuwari said, “Both schools have successfully contributed in achieving the objectives of the Gps. I am pleased that the Gharnata school, despite being an old building, has taken efforts to deploy eco-friendly technology. This program has encouraged not just students, but also school staff and other Gps members to be more eco-conscious. I wish the programme continued success for the future.”

Based on pre-determined criteria, the participating schools will be monitored and evaluated for a year on water & electricity conser-vation, paper recycle and reuse initiatives by Gps involving officials from msheireb properties, Qatar Today magazine, Qatar Green Building Council and other technical members. The best performing schools in these categories will be awarded the ‘Eco school of the Year’. In addition, each school will also have strategically placed pledge boards, suggestion boxes and creative stickers inside the col-lege that would constantly remind and encourage students to utilize resources carefully.

“As the founder of mission20, I chose to be part of this campaign because it is a first-of-its-kind in Qatar. We are proud to be the activation partners of Gps as our aim has always been to organize and support projects on social awareness. The best part about the campaign is that it aims at educating the foundation level of the society – the students – on the proper utilization of the natural resources. I have enjoyed visiting all the participating schools for the Gps branding, and interacting with the students and staff to know their views on the importance of this initiative.”

amanaT Solanki, 20, college of norTH aTlanTic in QaTar & founder-cHairman of miSSion20-kainaT foundaTion

“I had heard about Gps from one of my friends and also came across it on the mission20’s facebook page. Initially I was not very interested in it as I didn’t know much about the program, but when I started volunteering I got very interested as it is linked with environment conservation. I used to never give much atten-tion to environmental issues earlier, but after volunteering in Gps, I have started turning off the taps when not required, throw-ing all the garbage in the dustbin and switching off the unneces-sary lights when not in use.”

mariam naSir, 19, college of norTH aTlanTic in QaTar

“I chose to be a part of Gps because I too am interested in helping to have a cleaner environment. I have been part of many similar programs earlier, but my work was limited to passing basic information about the environment through workshops and short lectures. I never had a chance to see the end results, I was never satisfied. Gps is different-it’s is a well-planned program, and the dream to see my hard work bring about a change is possible.”

Sanjeeda HoSSain,19, QaTar univerSiTy

“I have always loved volunteering, so I willingly offered to be a part of Gps. since the program targets schools, it is a good way to spread awareness about the importance of saving the environ-ment among the youth. Being a Gps volunteer has helped me learn so many new facts about the environment. It has been a great experience visiting different schools and interacting with students and staff.”

nadia kHan, 16, pakiSTan educaTion cenTre

DMIS students receive certificates for their suggestions.

Gharnata School students hold an exhibition.

GPS stickers at the Gharnata School

48 issue 12 2012

mappingthe mangroves

ahmad mohammed Hiasat, a student at Qatar Leadership Academy and a QFI Alumnus, shares with

Campus a journey of knowledge and service.

ecopal

492012 issue 12

on the occasion of Earth Day, students, teachers, Qatar Foundation International (QFI) staff and scientists came together for the first-of-a-kind ‘mapping the mangroves’ project launched by QFI in partnership with Conservation Interna-tional (CI), to explore and map the mangroves of Qatar at Al Dakhira.

For those out there who don’t know what mangroves are, this is an awesome definition that I learned during the project: “mangroves are amazing trees that have managed to adapt to growing in an inhospi-table salty tide region between the sea and the land.”

‘mapping the mangroves’ is a project focused on increasing the awareness about the preservation of both Qatar’s and the world’s mangroves. It is aiming to connect a global network of active environ-mental citizens who will explore, collect, map and broadcast informa-tion about the mangroves online. The freely available collection of information could then be used by students and educators internation-ally. The information is uploaded using the tool ‘ushahidi’ which allows people to upload Gps-tagged data, such as geographical coordinates, photographs, videos, and textual data, from smart phone devices. moreover, when the data is being uploaded, ushahidi generates visu-alizations for this data, which allows people to see a map of the distri-bution of the world’s mangroves.

Qatar’s shores host several mangroves – the largest and the oldest is located in Al Dakhira. It is home to a variety of marine life, including a new species of sea slugs that had been found recently by a member of the Qatar National History Group, and Avicennia marina - known

as the Grey mangrove. These mangroves represent a very essential part of Qatar’s environmental heritage and future. However despite their importance to the Qatari environment, as well as to the world’s, the fact is mangroves are so far not getting much attention. “mapping mangroves is an important awareness-raising campaign that high-lights the critical role of mangroves in storm and fisheries protection and reducing climate change,” said Dr Leah Karrer of Conservation International during the expedition.

The Al Dakhira project was indeed a very exciting experience by which we have learned a lot about the mangroves and the impact that it has on the ecosystem and the environment. We spent an extensive time exploring Al Dakhira mangroves, collecting data on a variety of marine life and plants, mapping the geographical coordinates of the marine life and broadcasting the information to QFI’s ushahidi online mangroves map: http://mappingthemangroves.qfi.org/. We learned a lot about the different kinds of species present there, as well as the threats that the mangroves are facing.

facTS abouT mangroveS: mangroves play a big role in climate change. mangroves are one of the three ecosystems that have the ability to store blue carbon, the

carbon stored by coastal and marine ecosystems. When carbon is stored, greenhouse gases are removed from the atmosphere and the effect of global warming is reduced.

mangroves provide a home for turtles, particularly young ones, for shelter and food. mangroves provide one of the basic food chain resources for other organisms, such as migrating birds, camels, shrimp and fish. mangroves help in sand storms and fisheries protection, by reducing wind and wave action in shallow shoreline areas. mangroves prevent coastal erosion, which is very important for a low-lying country like Qatar.

50 issue 12 2012

FERRARi CAliFORNiAKiNG OF SpEEDi

t’s not everyday you get the opportunity to drive a Ferrari, especially through the hills of maranello, Italy, where the Ferrari factory has been located since 1940. Whizzing along the narrow and winding roads in the new Ferrari California is a dream-come-true for any Ferrari enthusiast,

as you really experience the heart and soul of Ferrari’s home. The car is, needless to say, super fast and breathtakingly beautiful. motorists, passers by, animals-everything seems to stop and stare at the captivating machine.

The latest model is aimed at people who want something that still offers high-performance and cutting-edge design, yet at the same time, is more practical and can be used more often-this is exemplified in 20% of owners using it on a daily basis. 0-100km/h acceleration in 3.8 seconds is what you can expect in performance capabilities, with a top speed of 193mph. Although I didn’t quite reach that speed, I certainly put it through its paces, and it proved to be smooth and very easy to handle.

The best news for all you style savvy people, is that Ferrari offers a tailor-made service allowing you to customize the car’s interior to your heart’s content-from cashmere linings to a wooden boot-anything you want and your wallet affords is possible!

(reviewed by orna ballout)

car craze

512012 issue 12

what we like best: iT’S a ferrari, wHaT more can we Say!

could do with: more Space for paSSengerS in THe back

traffic vibes: HeadS Turn, carS STop, everyone wanTS a look aT THe ferrari california.

colour choice: redword best describes it: deliciouS

52 issue 12 2012

homas Ryan is a gaming genius. He works as a designer for a video game developer called Bohemia Interactive based in the Czech Republic,

developing content for their games, as well as assisting in the design of the games use. And he does this without having any prior formal training.

“All of my knowledge has been self-taught, utilizing available resources from the internet pertaining to what I do, as well as analyzing the work of others to see how they accomplish

one thing or another,” he says.It all boils down to the day (his (which )

birthday to be precise) he received a military-themed game Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis, as a present from his brother. “I had been exposed to gaming before, mainly through the playstation One, but never had a game caught my interest as much as Operation Flashpoint did. And that’s when my love for gaming really started.”

From there, he also developed a strong interest for the YouTube vlogger scene; people recording snippets of their lives and sharing

it with the rest of the world through the internet. “Though they didn’t make any money from it, the point was they did it because they loved to do it.”

However, when YouTube introduced their partner program, many of these vloggers could become part of a global community, and earn money too. so now they were doing what they loved and could also make their livelihood through it.

“This inspired me and I thought to myself ‘that’s what I want to do’, and here I am today.

The true gamerIs gaming your career option? Fret not, and be inspired by Thomas Ryan,

a product of Doha College, who makes money while he plays (works).

TecH beaT

532012 issue 12

“Going into game development as a career certainly isn’t a common path to choose, nor is it one that is safe or guaranteed to support you, but it is what I knew I wanted to do and I was willing to put in the effort to make it a reality.”

At the moment, Thomas is hooked onto developing a single player story campaign for the Arma 3 game, part of the popular Arma series. What he’s learned over the years is “I am not designing content just for me anymore; I am designing it for everyone. What is fun in my eyes will not necessarily be fun in the eyes of others and what I deem useful, others will see as useless. You cannot satisfy everyone, but the goal is to satisfy the majority.”

He’s been a gamer for as long as he can remember, and his platform of choice has become the pC mainly due to the ease at which he can modify the games that he plays. But his all time favorite game will always be Operation Flashpoint. “The game came out in 2001 and I still play it to this day. I wouldn’t be where I am without it.”

SmarTpHoneS: cuT THe ropeThough I haven’t played too many smartphone games, out of the ones I have played, ‘Cut The Rope’ stood out the most. I sunk so many hours into it trying all the different ways to complete the various challenges and get a higher rating each time. It takes simple-enough, physics-based game mechanics seen in many other games on various platforms and applies them in such an intel-ligent and original manner. New mechanics are introduced over time and are even combined with previous mechanics, such as controlling where bubbles float with whoopee cushions. This keeps the gameplay fresh throughout your playthrough, something I would imagine is neces-sary in the sea of smartphone games. Though lacking much of a story, its gameplay sells itself. If you’re new to the world of smartphone games or simply haven’t played ‘Cut The Rope’ your-self already, I highly recommend it.

pcS: minecrafTIt’s hard for me to determine just one best game on the pC, but ‘minecraft’ is definitely high on the list. It is a true independent developer success story having sold over five million copies at the time of writing, relying almost entirely on word-of-mouth advertising, and for good reason. It’s a simple-enough concept; you’re washed-up on a deserted island and have to survive. But mine-craft’s original art and sound design combined with the LEGO-like nature of its gameplay makes it feel very unique and engaging. Combine that with its extensive community and constant flow of original content and updates and minecraft is one of the best and most influential pC-only games around at the moment. plus, it’s cheap, retailing at only $25.00. pick it up if you’re looking for something new.

conSoleS:red dead redempTion‘Red Dead Redemption’ has yet to come to the pC, which has become something of a controversy in itself, but it is one of those games to buy a console for. No game before it had done justice to the Wild West. Developed by Rockstar, widely-known for their Grand Theft Auto franchise, it was set in an open-world environment styled towards the end of the Wild West period. Amazing environments, engaging gameplay and a very well-written story all came together to provide an excellent experience that will make you laugh and may even make you cry. Though certainly not for the faint-hearted (it’s rated m for mature for a good reason), ‘Red Dead Redemption’ is a one-of-a-kind experience that is highly recommended if you haven’t already experienced it for yourself.

gaming TermS for dummieS...modificaTionS (modS): usually associated with user-generated content for video games but can also be associated with exploits or hardware changes such as personally modifying your game controller.firST perSon SHooTer (fpS): A genre of games that involves firing weapons from a first-person perspective. The Call of Duty franchise dominates this genre these days, with the Battlefield and HALO franchises coming in at second and third.frameS per Second (fpS): A measurement of performance; the higher the number, the better. It is how many times your hardware or software is displaying what’s on your screen every second.good game (gg): Congratulating your fellow gamers for playing good, a sign of good sportsmanship in competitive online games.kill To deaTH raTio (kd): seen as a gauge for how good a player is at the game in question; the higher the ratio, the better. most commonly used in competitive Fps games.

Best games for...

54 issue 12 2012

congraTulaTionS To

moHamed al-kazaz, 23, wcmc-Q(won the president’s award)

“Qatar has given a lot to me. It has pro-vided a second home for me and my family after leaving my war-torn country, Iraq. I feel I have an obligation to give back to Qatar and everyone who helped me become who I am now.”

zainab SulTan, 25, nu-Q(won the president’s award)

“Apart from doing journalistic work, my passion for making documentaries took me to many different parts of the world such as sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Turkey, New Orleans, Tanzania and Jordan. my films have been nominated several times at film festivals.”

moHammed al-nufal, weill cornell medical college in QaTar (wcmc-Q)“Iraq has passed through wars and hardship, which I experienced until I completed high school. I was ready to join college and pursue my dream of becom-ing a doctor, but I thought that my dreams were shattered because of the limited opportunities avail-able...

...The blessing came from HH sheikha moza and it was my way out, a new beginning to follow my dreams.”

around Town

Texas A&M University in Qatar 2012 commencement ceremony

552012 issue 12

A total of 373 students received their graduation rings from His Excellency Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, President of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and Vice President of Education at QF during the fifth spectacular convocation ceremony held for the first time under the auspices of HBKU at the Qatar National Convention Centre, in the presence of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of QF.

THe claSS of 2012

raggi al-Hammouri, 24, cmuQ“my family is pretty excited that I am graduating and I am happy too. It is not my journey alone, it is my family’s journey. It has been tough, but worth it.

“I decided I liked computer science and business, but went for the more challenging subject. I am interested in artificial intelligence, and software development and programming. I am currently working with Williams Technology Centre Qatar (WTCQ) on a project they are developing – a road safety simulator.”

moHammad abed SHirzai,23, cmuQ

“There are a lot of people striving for education (back home in Afghanistan)... and my plan is to apply different models to solve education problems. When I came to Cmu-Q I found that the curricu-lum is compatible with the vision I have.”

“I am a totally different person now that I have been through five years of education. I learned a lot and interacted with many different nationalities here. Culturally and socially, I learned that there are a lot of connections and com-monalities which people would not know if they do not engage in a multicultural society.”

VCUQatar 2012 Commencement ceremony

58 issue 12 2012

cmuQ HoldS annual roboTicSTournamenTKuwait’s Al Ru’ya Bilingual school was the overall champion of the Eighth Regional Botball Robotics Challenge held at Carnegie mellon university in Qatar (CmuQ). Qatar’s Al Khor Indepen-dent school finished second, while Raba’a Independent school for Girls won the Judge’s Choice Award during the double elimi-nation tournament. For the third consecutive year, shell Qatar sponsored the tournament that introduces secondary school students to the world of robotics, equipping them with the neces-sary skills and experience to independently design, build and program autonomous robots using the ‘C’ programming lan-guage.

This is Al Ru’ya Bilingual school’s third victory in six appear-ances at the annual competition. They will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, in July to attend the 2012 Global Conference on Educa-tional Robotics and will also compete in the 2012 International Botball Tournament, its theme focused on marine life and reef renewal.

b-boying aTTHe pearl-QaTarsixteen of Qatar’s finest B-Boys enthralled 4000 spectators with their mind-blowing moves during the Red Bull BC One Qatar Cypher held at The pearl-Qatar. However, B-Boy Lil salah emerged winner to compete in Egypt’s Regional Qualifiers this septem-ber. If he makes it through, salah will then head to Rio de Janeiro to battle it out at the Red Bull BC One World Final to be held in December.

Dancing his way through the three main criteria of the cypher: technique, innovation and dance flow, the young dancer impressed judges B-Boy Ronnie, B-Boy Lamine and B-Boy Neguin with his rhythm and flexibility. “I’m so honored to have won. It was a tight competition but I gave it my all to demon-strate creative and exceptional breaking abilities that show the utmost potential of my body movements,” said salah. “I tried my best to interpret the music with unique combina-tions and cutting-edge style and look forward to flying the Qatari flag at the regional qualifier.”

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“The interaction and collaboration between the students to better understand robotics helps them prepare for university life by developing their project planning, teamwork and communica-tion skills,” said mohamed mustafa, Academic Assistant at CmuQ and Botball Technical Advisor in the middle East.

Winner of the Red Bull BC One Cypher Qatar: B-Boy Lil Salah.

60 issue 12 2012

Qf HonorS STudenT SponSorQatar Foundation (QF)hosted a congratulatory dinner at the Hamad bin Khalifa university (HBKu) student Center in honor of Bader Abdullah Al-Darwish who granted the ‘Abdullah Al-Darwish scholarship’ to eight students from Weill Cornell medical College in Qatar (WCmC-Q) to help finance their tuition. Chairman of one of Qatar’s largest family business groups, Al-Darwish has been sponsoring students from WCmC-Q since 2005.

“Here at QF we stress the importance of the relationship between private and education sectors nationwide, and tonight we thank those who provide scholarships to outstanding students and, consequently, contribute to enhanc-ing the development of education,” said Dr Khalid mohammad Faraj Al-Khanji, Vice president for student Affairs at HBKu. “These students are now equipped with the necessary skills to develop both Qatar and the region. We would like to thank mr Bader Abdullah Al-Darwish and the Darwish Holding Group for supporting the value we place on scholarship programs at QF.”

“I am convinced that it is my duty to serve and support the development of our country,” said Al-Darwish. “And, by sponsoring education, I hope to participate in making Qatar a leader in innovative education and research, the mission of Qatar Foundation. We will definitely convert Qatar into a knowledge-based society and I am proud of these students, who I consider to be like my children.”

georgeTown young leaderS SeminarGeorgetown university’s school of Foreign service (sFs-Q) successfully wrapped up its inaugural Young Leader’s summit (GYLs), which boasted 18 young inspirational leaders from around the region. The soon-to-be annual conference featured a number of lectures, workshops, round table sessions, and group exercises on topics that ranged from geographical events such as the Arab spring and issues in south Asia to universal prob-lems which tackled poverty and inequality.

A participant from palestine, mohamed Kilany, Co-Founder and lead software developer for souktel International Incechoed, said, “It’s inspiring to be with participants from 16 other countries, sharing experiences, speak-ing about the common challenges that all of us face in our countries and trying to find solutions to the problems.”

Atiaf Alwazir, a research and development Consultant from Yemen said, “The group that they got together is very interesting, very dynamic. We’ve had a number of chances to talk, think of ideas together. In fact, I’m actu-ally trying to organize something with one of the participants from India to see if I can go there to work and learn from her project.”

Hbku launcHeS TranSlaTion and inTerpreTing inSTiTuTe Hamad bin Khalifa university (HBKu) has launched its Translation and Interpreting Institute (T II) and the inaugural program, a masters of Arts in Translation studies, will start in september 2012 for which ap-plications are now open and would be made online through the T II website (www.tii.qa) by June 15, 2012. The program will equip students with practical trans-lation competencies in the areas of business and commerce, science and technology, as well as literary and media translation, and institutional communica-tions. HBKu will also offer scholarships to exception-ally talented applicants.

Future courses will include an mA in Conference Interpreting (september 2013), an mA in Audiovi-sual Translation (september 2013) and an mA in sign Language Interpreting (september 2015). In addition to its higher education programs, T II includes a re-search center for both theoretical and vocational research; a language learning centre, offering courses in Arabic, English, French and spanish; and professional translation and interpreting services to meet the needs of commercial clients.

Dr Khalid Mohammad Faraj Al-Khanji handing over the QF Crystal Trophy to Bader Abdullah Al-Darwish.

Recent graduate Mohamed Al-Kazaz at the honorary dinner.

62 issue 12 2012

THaT’S ‘empower 2012’ for you.Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) held its fourth Empower Youth Conference 2012 at La Cigale Hotel from April19-21 that comprised a mix of skill-building workshops, inspirational keynote speeches, interactive seminars and fascinating off-site project activities facilitated by leading experts in the fields of youth development, leadership, service learn-ing, global citizenship, environment and sports.

Welcoming the young delegates, ROTA Board member, HE Dr sheikha Aisha bint Faleh bin Nasser Al-Thani said, “As key stakehold-ers in the future of Qatar, youth have a vital role to play in determining the progress towards a more peaceful, equal and prosperous world. With this in mind, Empower 2012 brings together key players among

the youth – including for the first time guests from neighboring GCC countries and Japan – to share views and exchange experiences, to acquire additional skills needed to tackle the issues that really matter to young people in all countries.”

One of the hard-hitting themes of this year’s Empower conference was sustainable development on which a rousing debate was held on day one. Delegates presented thought-provoking opinions on global issues of sustainable development and poverty eradication.

“It is a scientific fact that our actions help to reduce our planet’s natural resources at an unsustainable rate. We must all accept our global responsibilities – and it is imperative that young people work together to ensure that climate change solutions are implemented not

around Town

Empower 2012Youth lead the future

What happens when a group of around 350 youth delegates from Qatar, the GCC and Japan come

together to address a common cause?

632012 issue 12

“A major problem that youth face is ‘motivation’. We don’t meet the right people at the right time. The workshops during Em-power help fill the gap. It’s a great networking platform where you get to hear different opinions and voice out yours too. It has helped me a lot in my interpersonal skills.”

moHammed afzal, 25, engineer

“It is great how the youth have come together to discuss the issues of the present and the future. We must learn how to work as a team. Events such as Empower 2012 are great opportunities for youth to gain knowledge and skills for the future, and I am looking forward to put these skills to use.”

moHammed al-Suwaidi, 24, graduaTe from colorado STaTe univerSiTy

“Coming from the Far East, I didn’t have much knowledge about the middle East region. This conference gave me the chance to understand the region better and break stereotypes that I had. It is important that we understand different cultures to develop mutual understanding and see what the youth can do together.”

HiroTo inoue, 18, STudenT of THe univerSiTy of Tokyo

“Empower has helped me develop leadership skills and take the initiative to make a change, and inspire other youth members to do so. since this year’s theme is ‘Go green’, it has inspired me to join the environmental club in my school and start raising awareness about the conservation of resources. You are never too young to make a difference!”

Safa babikir, 17, STudenT of QaTar academy

“I used to be a shy girl. Interacting with people, networking, making new friends through the Empower conference has helped me come out of my small bubble. I would advise the youth to come out of their bubbles too and socialize. It’s the most powerful tool they could use to enhance their thoughts, get more experience and see the real side of the world.”nada abdulHay, 17, STudenT of micHael e. debakey HigH ScHool

only locally but on a global scale,” said Dr sheikha Aisha. The second key theme of Empower 2012 was the importance of

sports in the country. “ROTA believes passionately that sport brings people together and teaches them important life lessons. sports-based development programs promote employment creation, entrepreneur-ship and education,” she added.

Highlighting the success of Empower 2012, ROTA Director, Essa Al-mannai said, “There is a direct link between the wellbeing of youth and the social and economic progress of a country. We are proud that Qatar takes its responsibilities for the education and personal develop-ment of youth seriously and I hope ROTA continues to make investing in young people a priority.

“We’re thrilled with the success of Empower 2012, now an interna-tionally recognized youth conference that shares ROTA’s values in recognizing youth as agents of change and the leaders of tomorrow. This conference is by the youth and for the youth. The youth have proven to be responsible for the past four years, and we are sure they will take it forward.”

do youfeel

empowered, aSkS campuS

A workshop in progress.

Participants visiting Al Assema recycling factory.

Essa Al Mannai, ROTA Director (centre) with UAE youth delegates.

64 issue 12 2012

imaGinaTion iS

innovaTionTeam ‘Technology Lanterns’ represents Qatar at Microsoft “Imagine Cup 2012”

worldwide finals in Sydney.

around Town

Winning Team ‘Technology Lanterns’ with Naim Yazbeck, Country Manager, Microsot Qatar (left) and Samer Abu Ltaif, General Manager of Microsoft Gulf (right).

Dr Hessa Al-Jaber, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology, ictQATAR at the event.

652012 issue 12

Four teams. Four innovative ideas. The microsoft Imagine Cup 2012 Qatar finals were held at a technology inspired evening at Four seasons on April 25 where students were invited to “Imagine a world where technology solves the toughest problems.”

Take for instance assisting the visually impaired to be-come active members of the community-an issue that Team Technology lan-terns brilliantly tackled with their 3D-KINDIO project which won the first spot. The team consisting of Fatma mohammed Al-msaifri, mariam Essa Al-Ansa-ri, Roqaya saed Al-shaabi and Yasmin Aladden Halwani from Qatar univer-sity explained how the 3D-KINDIO project featured combined hardware and software applications that use Kinect camera, 3D Audio, and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies in a program that assists the visually impaired, to a panel of judges including industry veterans from Qatar Foundation, sEC, silatech, Al Jazeera Network and microsoft. The event was also attended by Dr Hessa Al-Jaber, secretary General of the supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology, ictQATAR.

“It gives me great pleasure to be able to announce the Team ‘Technology Lanterns’ as the winner of Imagine Cup Qatar,” said Naim Yazbeck, Country manager, microsoft Qatar. “They came up with a very innovative idea to help people with vision disabilities, were able to deliver a solid prototype of the solution given the short time frame and presented the solution very well.”

“The commitment to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and excellence in education are the major objectives of the Imagine Cup. This is the first year we have decided to launch such a global competition in Qatar because we believe those values are embedded in the leadership vision of Qatar 2030. It is also part of microsoft’s commitment in Qatar to make a difference and contribute to this vision. The experience was great with more than 400 stu-dents participating. Also the support from Dr Hessa Al-Jaber being there in person was a great testimonial of the importance of such an event. Imagine Cup aims to solve problems around us using technology and the teams did a good job looking at important problems relevant to Qatar and the region.”

The other three shortlisted projects were: ArabicTutor (Qu)-an ‘m-learning’ platform for interactive linguistic skill acquisition, particularly for learning Arabic spelling and vocabulary; Dreamerport (CmuQ and TAmuQ)-a social network that bases itself on connecting people with similar interests, dreams and aspirations; and lastly Kinect Funzee (CmuQ)-an interactive game that helps students learn and have fun at the same time.

Winning PostcampuS SpeakS To QaTar finaliSTS Team‘TecHnology lanTernS’

THe name: We have chosen the name ‘Technology Lanterns’ since we are trying to ‘light-up’ a blind person’s vision through ‘technological’ solutions as shown through our project.

THe projecT: The 3D Kindio system uses 3D sound to notify the blind person that there are obstacles in their way with the source of the 3D sound depending on the location of the closest object. so, the blind person will be able to know whether the obstacle is on their right/left/front or close/far. Also, the places that surround the blind person will be identified using tags that are only recognizable by the 3D Kindio system.

THe inSpiraTion: One of the most severe problems today is visual impairment especially in environments that aren’t well prepared to serve blind people such as the middle East. We thought of using technology to help visually impaired people to move freely and thus make their lives easier. According to recent statistics 38 million people are blind world-wide, so 38 million people will benefit from this project.

THe menTor: Dr Osama Halabi. He’s an Assistant professor of Computer science at Qu with a pHD from the Japan Advanced Institute of science and Technology (JAIsT). He is very helpful, cooperative and one of the biggest sources of motivation for the team.

THe cHallenge: The biggest challenge was how to make the 3D Kindio portable and easy-to-use for a visually impaired person. moreover, we faced other software challenges but were able to solve them with the help of our mentor.

THe leSSon: We learned so much through this Imagine Cup experience – how to convey our ideas and turn them into a reality; how to get motivated; and how to stay optimistic even when things didn’t work out.

THe imagine cup finalS: The most important lesson that we will take to the finals is that hard work always pays off. We will make sure we keep our spirits high and be enthusi-astic throughout the entire competition.

We are confident in the importance and the quality of 3DKindio, and with it we hope to help the visually im-paired population worldwide. We are very proud that such an invention will be representing Qatar in sydney.

“Imagine Cup aims to solve problems around us using

technology and the teams did a good job looking at important

problems relevant to Qatar and the region.”

66 issue 12 2012

GeT GadGeTYyour Travel companionLifetrons-a swiss electronic and designer traveler’s accessories company has recently launched its store in Qatar. Campus sneaks around to check out the luxury travel products that you can indulge in.

digiTal dual power cHarger – the world’s smallest portable charger with 5200mAh capacity. The patented digital numerical display indicates remaining battery.

golden balance pure HealTH braceleT. Not just soothes muscle aches and improves blood circulation, metabolism and sleep, looks trendy too!

buSineSS noTe wriTer. With an ultra-slim design, the note writer captures handwritten notes or sketches on any A4 paper wirelessly which can be then uploaded to a laptop as JpEGs.

dual uSb all-in-one worldwide Travel adapTor – the world’s first 8A high-power adaptor that supports most high-power devices such as laptops, hair dryers, mobile phones. Also compatible with most of the usB charging devices.

gizmoS

drumbaSS ii exTendable SpeakerS. The crystal clear sound technology provides a stunning playback of mid and high range tones. plays nine hours of non-stop music!

Qr 520*

Qr 200*

Qr 200*

Qr 370*

Qr 400*(stereo)

Qr 210*(mono)

672012 issue 12