TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 www.thepeninsula.qa26 SAFAR - 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8409

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Global Education Monitoring Report launchedMinister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi during the launch of the 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report remotely yesterday. �P3

Doha nominated at WTA for top business travel and sports tourism destinationRAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA

Doha has been nominated in both leading business travel destination and sports tourism destination categories at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2020.

A number of companies in Qatar’s travel, tourism and hos-pitality sectors have also been nominated in different cate-gories of the awards which cover a broad spectrum including aviation, tourist attractions, hotels and resorts, meetings and events, travel agencies, tour operators and travel technology, among others.

Leading them is the coun-try’s flag carrier Qatar Airways which is nominated in various categories including leading airline to the Middle East, leading airline to the Indian Ocean, Leading cultural airline, leading airline in customer experience, and leading excel-lence inflight service. It is also nominated in more award cat-egories including first class, economy class, inflight enter-tainment, cabin crew, app, website and rewards programme.

Qatar National Convention Centre is nominated for leading meetings and conference centre while Aspire Academy for leading sports academy.

The St. Regis Doha has four nominations including leading business and conference hotel, leading business hotel, leading conference hotel, leading luxury business hotel, while W Doha Hotel and Residences has been nominated for leading hotel residences and leading lifestyle hotel.

La Cigale Hotel is nomi-nated for leading hotel dining and entertainment experience while Royal Villa at Sharq Village and Spa is nominated for leading hotel villa.

Winners of various cate-gories of the awards are deter-mined though online voting by travel industry professionals and consumers worldwide. �P5

QU’s IIP Office facilitated 39 patents, says officialQNA — DOHA

Innovation & Intellectual Property Office (IIP Office) at Qatar University (QU) has facil-itated 39 patents for several university employees. The IIP is studying seven patents to convert them into startup companies that serve the national economy.

Established in 2017, the IIP is responsible for managing innovation files and technology transfer, encouraging inno-vators, supporting and facili-tating the registration of intel-lectual property rights in coop-eration with the concerned authorities such as the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Foundation, and others. It also promotes awareness of ownership within the uni-versity and the Qatari society and building a database of all records related to intellectual property in the university.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Director of IIP Office Dr. Hareb Al Jabri said that the number of patent files currently managed by the office is 163.

The office has succeeded in facilitating the registration and granting of 39 patents for Qatar University employees, seven of which are being studied to transfer them into startups

companies soon.These successes reflect the

QU’s keenness to translate and empower its affiliates’ ideas and provide the appropriate climate to develop them into initiatives, products, and pio-neering projects that serve national priorities and achieve the maximum possible local and global benefit.

The interest in innovation and technology transfer is an accurate translation of Qatar University’s Strategic Plan 2018-2022. The plan includes six key goals and seven key strategies; Digital Transfor-mation Strategy and an Entre-preneurship and Innovation Strategy in line with Qatar’s keenness to achieve its national vision of a knowledge-based economy.

Dr. Al Jabri said this approach had received signif-icant attention from the Board of Trustees of Qatar University headed by Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani. This was translated through the formation of a higher committee at the uni-versity to manage issues of innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation led by the QU’s President and vice-presidents, indicating the extent of interest in this field, he added. �P5

Panel set up to address traffic accidents’ issue in Sealine areaSIDI MOHAMED THE PENINSULA

A special committee has been constituted to address the serious issue of traffic accidents in the Sealine area. The committee will start its work from the beginning of the winter camping season, said a senior official at the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

The main cause of traffic accidents in Sealine area is reckless dune bashing. “The new committee is headed by Colonel Sheikh Mohamed bin Jassim Al Thani, Director of the Southern

Traffic Section, and the focus has been on Sealine, because it is among the places where large number of vehicles and people are present during the camping season. As well reckless dune bashing is practised in the area,” said Colonel Jaber Mohamed Rashid Odaiba, Assistant Director of the Media and Traffic Awareness Department.

According to the Depart-ment’s statistics for 2018, the Sealine area was at fifth place in the list of areas witnessing traffic deaths.

Major traffic violations include reckless driving, drifting

and hiding vehicle’s number plates among others that endanger the lives of people and the property of road users.

Speaking to Qatar Radio yesterday about ‘safety require-ments in the camping season’, he referred to the efforts and preparations made by the General Directorate of Traffic to achieve traffic safety for the campers.

Odaiba said that some youth indulge in wrong behaviours during the camping season, such as over-speeding, reckless driving, and other activities that disturb the campers.

“The security patrols will be deployed to serve the campers, provide assistance and punish those who violate the law,” he said.

Colonel Odaiba also reminded people that the Qatari law bans taking pictures of accidents for a number of con-siderations, including taking into account the people who were in the accident them-selves, as well as taking into account the feelings of their relatives.

“Any violator of the law will expose themselves to pun-ishment, especially if the accident resulted in death or serious injuries. We do not want such incidents to be seen by the parents of deceased because it causes great pain and some-times even psychological trauma for the families of these people,” he added.

He also explained that the Department will intensify traffic patrols at the winter camping sites, organising awareness and educational visits to the camps, noting to the importance of awareness messages that are delivered to the campers.

Earlier, the General Direc-torate of Traffic has taken a number of measures including conducting round-the-clock traffic patrols and inspection drives on shops to make them comply with safety requirements.People enjoying the pleasant weather at Sealine beach. PIC: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA

Stock market surges21% since MarchSACHIN KUMAR THE PENINSULA

Shrugging off the impact of COVID-19 outbreak, Qatar Stock Exchange (QE) Index has surged over 20 percent since March 9. The stock market has outperformed other regional markets in terms of growth, reflecting resilience of Qatar’s stock market.

The QE Index had closed at 8,310, its lowest closing level of the year, on March 9, as investors sentiments were hurt by rising COVID-19 cases and falling oil prices. Helped by sup-portive policies by the gov-ernment and other stake-holders, the stock market has grown stronger since March and breached 10,000 level this month. QSE’s market capitali-sation has also risen from QR455bn on March 9 to

QR597bn yesterday, registering a growth of 31 percent.

The QE Index closed yes-terday at 10,056, clocking a robust growth of 21 percent since its closing on March 9. Qatar’s stock market has surpassed other regional stock markets. Abu Dhabi’s General Index has reg-istered 12 percent growth, as it moved from 4039 on March 9 to 4532 points yesterday, while Dubai Financial Market General Index has around 7.5 percent during the same period. Oman’s MSM 30 Index has registered a fall of around 4.9 percent during the same period.

“Shares had fallen to multi-year low in March and April due to COVID-19 outbreak and falling oil prices. Investors were taken aback by the pandemic but gradually their confidence was restored after the gov-ernment announced measures

to support equity market. The low prices in March-April also created investment opportu-nities for investors. After real-ising the effect of COVID-19 on economy was less than antici-pated, the investors started pouring money into shared again,” Ahmed Akl, Doha based financial analyst told The Peninsula.

“During COVID-19, com-panies’ performance was com-paratively better than corporate in other countries. The corporate earnings in Qatar declined around 20 percent in the first half of the year, which is com-paratively less than corporate earnings in other countries. Qatar was also assigned stable ratings by global rating agencies, even in these difficult times, which has increased investors’ confidence in Qatari market and economy,” Akl added.

The government had announced QR10bn support for Qatar’s capital market in March, which boosted the confidence of market.

“Going forward, the third quarter results will determine the course of action for stock market. Technically speaking, 9950-10000 level is an important support level for the market, if it is not breached then we can see market moving up to 10200 -10400 range,” said Akl.

Global rating agency Moody’s had affirmed Qatar’s long-term issuer and foreign currency senior unsecured debt ratings at Aa3 and main-tained stable outlook in Sep-tember this year. The S&P Global Ratings had also affirmed its ‘AA-/a-1+’ long and short term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Qatar and main-tained stable outlook.

21% 8,310

10,056 QR597bn

QR455bn

31%Rise in Qatar

Stock Exchange since March 9

Rise in market capitalisation since March 9

Points atclosing of

QSE on March 9

Points at closing of QSE yesterday

value of market capitalisation at the end of trading yesterday

Value of market capitalisation on

March 9

OFFICIAL NEWS

02 TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020HOME

Amir sends congratulations to King of Spain

DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations to King of Spain H M Felipe VI on the occasion of his country’s National Day. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani also sent a cable of congratulations to Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain H E Pedro Sanchez on the occa-sion of his country’s National Day. — QNA

Amir sends condolences to Somalia President

DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Dep-uty Amir H H Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to Presi-dent of the Federal Republic of Somalia H E Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on the death of former Somali Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galeyr. Prime Minister and Min-ister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani also sent a cable of condolences to Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia H E Mohamed Hussein Roble on the death of Ali Khalif Galeyr. — QNA

MoPH: 206 new COVID-19 cases, 198 recoveriesTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday announced the registration of 206 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Among them, 29 were trav-ellers returning from abroad.

Also 198 people have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recovered cases in Qatar to 125,176.

All new cases have been introduced to isolation and are receiving necessary healthcare according to their health status.

The Ministry further said that measures to tackle COVID-19 in Qatar have suc-ceeded in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the virus. However, the Ministry has advised the public to be careful and protect the most vulnerable, while COVID-19 restrictions are being grad-ually lifted.

Shura Council Speaker, IPU President launch book on union’s 130th anniversaryQNA — DOHA

Speaker of the Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), H E Gabriela Cuevas Barron, launched yesterday a book marking the 130th anniversary of the IPU.

The Speaker of the Shura Council gave a speech to mark the occasion and said that the IPU, since its establishment in 1889, has become an important and effective organisation. He noted that the IPU's 140th General Assembly that took place successfully in Qatar in April 2019 reflects the appreciation of leading parliamentarians for the State of Qatar under the wise lead-ership of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Speaker of Shura Council praised the pivotal role played by President of IPU in the past three

years, and praised her role on com-pleting the book marking the 130th anniversary of the union, adding that it was an important work doc-umenting an important part of the history of the union and its diplo-matic contributions.

He concluded his remarks by expressing the Shura Council’s appreciation of the distinguished ties with the IPU.

In her speech to mark the occasion, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union praised the ties with the Shura Council and the success of the 140th General Assembly held in Doha last year.

She also praised efforts by the Speaker of the Shura Council in support of the IPU, and the role of the Shura Council in different IPU activities, something that made Doha the appropriate place to launch the book celebrating the 130th anniversary of the union.

Speaker of the Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, during the ceremony to launch the book to mark 130th anniversary of the IPU.

6th Katara Prize for Arabic Novel kicks off todayRAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA

Activities for the sixth edition of the prestigious Katara Prize for Arabic Novel kick off virtually today, the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) has announced. The event will include a recorded speech of Katara General Manager, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, and the announcement of winners in the five categories of the award. One of the richest literary prizes in the world, Katara Prize for Arabic Novel has a total prize of $635,000 to be distributed to 21 winners.

The $300,000 prize will be distributed equally to five winners in the published novel category, while $150,000 will be given away to five winners

in the unpublished novel cat-egory each receiving $30,000. In the unpublished studies cat-egory, five winners will be selected to receive $15,000 each, while five winners will be chosen in the unpublished novels by young writers cat-egory to be awarded $10,000 each. One Qatari novelist will be selected to be the very first winner in this new category and receive $60,000.

Another highlight of the event will be the conferment of the Al Dhad Shield award which this year goes to Dr. Ali Ahmed Al Kubaisi, member of the Aca-demic Council for the Doha His-torical Dictionary of Arabic Language and former Director General of the World Organi-zation for Renaissance of Arabic Language. Meanwhile, Katara

has announced the five names of those who qualified for the finals of the “Promising Nov-elist” programme which was launched by the Katara Prize for Arabic Novel in cooperation with the Qatari Women’s Pen Forum in February last year. The promising novelists will be honoured at the event and their novels will be published by Katara Publishing House.

The five most promising novelists are Al Ghalia Muhammad Al Mansouri, Nujoud Abdel Qader Mustafa, Noura Abdullah Al Zakiba, Helana Aref Al Wardat, and

Aisha Al Mansouri.This year’s edition of Katara

Prize for Arabic Novel is distin-guished for achieving record participation with a total of 2,220 entries in various cate-gories, a 20 percent increase from last year.

The entries comprise 1,005 unpublished novels, 930 pub-lished novels all released last year, 195 unpublished novels by young writers, 75 unpublished studies and 15 published Qatari novels. In terms of geographical distribution of participants, Egypt and Sudan came first in the Arab countries in terms of

numbers with 986 participants, followed by Maghreb countries with 565 entries, then the Levant and Iraq with 533 par-ticipation. Gulf countries regis-tered 124 participants, while 12 entries came from non-Arab countries.

Women’s participation in the Prize this year reached 552 while 1,668 entries were by men. This year saw the addition of a new category, which is the Qatari novel aimed at enhancing the presence of Qatari novels in local and Arab literary scene as well as encour-aging Qatari novelists to be more creative in this literary genre, which has been wit-nessing great momentum on the level of production where a number of young Qatari nov-elists have emerged.

One of the richest literary prizes in the world, Katara Prize for Arabic Novel has a total prize money of $635,000 for 21 winners.

MoTC promotes use of information technology by SMEs IRFAN BUKHARI THE PENINSULA

To enhance the capacity of small and medium scale enter-prises (SMEs) in the country on usage of information tech-nology, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) is set to organise six sessions in the coming days under its Digital Transformation of SMEs (DTSME) programme.

“Digital Transformation is now a must for any business to remain competitive. Join the coming Digital Transformation sessions for SMEs and meet with the right service providers to empower and enhance your business model,” the Ministry said in a tweet yesterday.

The Digital Transformation of SMEs programme (DTSME) is designed to encourage the usage of information tech-nology in SMEs, and enhance awareness of the benefits of using modern technology in the business sector.

With a focus on web presence, e-commerce and

cloud services, the DTSME pro-gramme aims to connect enter-prises to the right service pro-viders to begin their digital transformation journey.

Delivery of the programme is done through training and awareness sessions delivered by service providers based in Qatar and active in the respective focus areas, with overall facilitation through the DTSME programme and their corporate partners, said the Ministry.

On October 15, a session will be held on “Dynamics 365 Business Central on Microsoft Azure”. The session aims to enable SMEs' digital transfor-mation by adopting a modern and cost-effective ERP platform. Dynamics 365 Business Central is powered by Microsoft Azure which ensures users will get the best per-formance out of their system with the highest level of security. The finance and supply chain modules will enable com-panies to shift away from paper based processes to digital and

modern workflows, the min-istry said in a post on its website. The registration for this and all sessions is open on the MoTC website.

“How to Take Your Online Business to the Next Level Using SAAS” is the theme of another session to be organised on October 18. It will be a focused discussion on the use of ‘Software as a Service’ for online businesses and the ben-efits it gives them when imple-mented correctly.

On October 19, “Enhanced Fraud Detection with Data Ana-lytics” session will be held. The objective of the session is to raise awareness of the impact of occupational fraud and strat-egies for addressing the issue with data analytics. SMEs will be presented with various ways in which frauds may occur and how data can be analysed to identify instances of possible fraud. Auditors and fraud inves-tigators in SMEs will be able to develop or enhance a fraud detection programme based on the learnings from this session,

the MoTC said. On October 20, “Test Your

Cyber Resilience Against Next Generation Threats” session will be organised, during which the participants will get a level of understanding about termi-nology of cyber security testing technologies.

Another session themed “ERP For Small and Mid-Size Companies” will be held on October 27. Integrating an ERP has become a must for every business today, no matter if it is a manufacturing business, a textile industry, a trading business, a construction business, a healthcare centre, an educational institute, or an e-commerce business.

On October 29, “Automated Chatbots for Customer Service” session will be held. DTEMS will help participants increase their customer satisfaction and lead generation by providing a 24/7 always-available customer service chatbot that enables SMEs to create their own chatbot based on their busi-ness’s specific needs.

MoI trains officers on crowd, traffic management QNA — DOHA

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) held the graduation ceremony of the Crowd and Traffic Control Management course yesterday, in the presence of several department directors and officers of the Ministry.

The training course, which lasted for six months, was attended by 31 certified trainers.

It comes within the framework of the crowd and traffic control management in preparation for 2022 FIFA World Cup. The course was conducted in collaboration with Traffic, Rescue Police, Public Transport Security and Police Training Institute in addition to the Lekhwiya Force and international partners from the Interna-tional Public Transport Asso-ciation and Lyceum Interna-tional Training.

Participants in the course received lectures on traffic management, directing drivers, managing traffic congestion, crowd psy-chology, securing public transport, and directing crowds in vehicles, in addition to different sce-narios and practical applications.

The course aimed at training highly qualified cadres to manage crowds during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The course is part of a three-year training pro-gramme which began in 2019 and aims to train 1,276 members from various departments of the Ministry of Interior.

At the end of the cer-emony, the Director General of Traff ic , Brigadier Muhammad Abdullah Al Shahwani, and Director of the Police Training Institute, Lt. Col. Ali Saud Al Hanzab, awarded the certificates to the graduating officers.

9,300 abandoned carsremoved since January SANAULLAH ATAULLAH THE PENINSULA

The nationwide campaign to remove abandoned vehicles which was launched in July this year reached Al Sheehaniya Municipality yesterday, the campaign's final destination.

Over 5,300 abandoned vehicles have been removed under the campaign, launched by the Joint Committee for Removing Abandoned Vehicles of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), since July.

However, over 9,300 aban-doned vehicles have been removed since January this year. The annual campaign will conclude in Al Sheehaniya Municipality .

Speaking on the occasion yesterday, Assistant Director of MME's Mechanical Equipment Department, Marzouq Al

Mesaifiri said the campaign will be relaunched next year with new strategies after assessment of 2020 campaigns.

Head of Monitoring Section of Al Sheehaniya Municipality, Ali Mohamad Al Hammadi, said that over 150 abandoned vehicles had been marked to be picked up from various places across the Municipality.

Deputy Director of the Cleanliness Department, and a member of the Joint Committee, Mohamad Faraj Al Kubaisi, said the campaign in Al Sheehaniya Municipality will last a week.

He said the committee has intensified inspection efforts, urging owners to not abandon their vehicles at public places, and residential and industrial areas. Personnel from the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) are also taking part in the campaign.

Head of the General

Monitoring Section at Doha Municipality, Hamad Sultan Al Shahwani, thanked the owners who removed their abandoned vehicles during the given period. Head of General Moni-toring Section at Al Sheehaniya Municipality said the municipal inspectors will continue marking the abandoned

vehicles round the year to curb the phenomena of abandoned vehicles.

The Joint Committee, since its establishment in 2013, has removed over 81,000 aban-doned vehicles from all over the country. About 44,000 vehicles were disposed of during this period.

An abandoned car being loaded onto a truck, in Al Sheehaniya Municipality, yesterday. PIC: ABDUL BASIT/ THE PENINSULA

Al Wasmi season set to begin in Qatar on FridayTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Q a t a r M e t e o r o l o g y Department (QMD) stated that Al Wasmi season is expected to begin on October 16. QMD also stated that the season will last for 52 days.

In a statement on Twitter, QMD said: “This season is named so because it coincides with rainfall that helps certain local plants to grow such as H e l i a n t h e m u m a n d Geranium.”

“During the Al Wasmi season, the clouds move from west to east and an indication of good rainfall is also observed,” it added.

Based on its climate records, the maximum tem-perature will gradually decrease in Doha and is set to reach less than 35 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, the minimum temperature will fall to about 20 degrees Celsius with an overall mild temper-ature during daytime and rel-atively cool temperature at night, accompanied with northwesterly winds.

During this inevitable weather transitional period, QMD also warned against flu and other seasonal diseases which commonly occur.

“Experts recommend taking flu vaccinations, wash hands regularly, and avoid direct contact with sick people,” QMD added.

03TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 HOME

Filipino designer wins NMoQ’s Dugong Mascot Design CompetitionTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has announced Gaylord “Choy” Salonga, a graphic designer from the Philippines, as the winner of its Dugong Mascot Design Competition.

In celebration of the museum’s first anniversary, local and international artists, designers and creatives were invited to design a mascot that encapsulates the dugong.

The shy marine mammal was selected as NMoQ’s mascot based on its representation of the museum’s ethos of sustainability and environmental awareness, and also for its cultural signifi-cance as part of Qatar’s local her-itage. Dugongs have inhabited the surrounding waters of Qatar’s peninsula for over 7,500 years. After Australia, the Arabian Gulf is home to the world’s second largest population of dugongs. Recently, the largest herds in the world, comprising between 600 to 700 dugongs, have been recorded in Qatar. Today, dugongs face the threat of extinction due to fishing activ-ities, vessel strikes and environ-mental pollution.

A total of 40 submissions were received and reviewed by a jury, who selected the winning concept design based on its cre-ativity and originality, aesthetics in relation to the NMoQ brand, and awareness of the key themes of sustainability and heritage.

Salonga was announced as the winner of the competition as his design successfully encom-passed all of the selection criteria.

“I first learned about the Dugong Mascot Design open call through my wife and a few friends

who encouraged me to enter because of my previous illus-tration and mascot design expe-rience,” the Qatar resident said:

“In designing the mascot, I set out to distinguish the dugong from other sea mammals who share similar characteristics. I also incorporated the rose motif into its fins as the rose is a symbol that inspired the museum’s archi-tecture. I was surprised to find out that I had won the winning design as I knew many talented illus-trators would enter. This is a major competition and it’s exciting to know that my design will be used to represent the National Museum of Qatar,” said Salonga.

Commenting on the winning mascot design, Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani, Director of NMoQ, said: “Our museum is the first national museum to be awarded LEED Gold certification. It was extremely important for NMoQ’s mascot — the museum’s living identity — to be representative of our firm commitment to sus-tainability while being uniquely symbolic of Qatar.

“We thank each of the par-ticipants for their brilliant sub-missions in response to the open

call. The high quality of submis-sions made it a tough process to select the ultimate winner, but in the end, we felt that Choy’s design best encapsulated both the essence of these fascinating sea mammals, and the museum’s core commitment to securing a greener future. We would like to extend congratu-lations to Choy for his winning design, and we look forward to unveiling our mascot in the coming months,” she added.

Ahead of its official opening in 2019, NMoQ was the first national museum in the world to receive a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold rating. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and certifications are globally rec-ognised symbols of sustainability achievements.

NMoQ, in collaboration with Exxon Mobil Research Qatar, is set to open a special exhibition about dugongs in 2021. The exhibition will raise sustaina-bility and environmental awareness and enable the wider community to learn more about this fascinating sea mammal native to Qatar.

The Dugong mascot designed by Choy Salonga.

Qatar for setting up Arab Communicationand IT Organisation at Arab LeagueQNA — CAIRO

The State of Qatar has deposited its instrument of accession to the agreement establishing the Arab Communication and Information Technology Organi-sation at the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States.

The document was deposited yes-terday at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the University by Per-manent Representative of the State of Qatar to the League of Arab States H E

Ambassador Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi, in the presence of Director of the Treaties and International Law Department at the Arab League H E Ambassador Ehab Makram.

The organisation aims to develop the communication and information tech-nology sector and provide the necessary mechanisms to support cooperation among the members of the organisation, and to develop joint policies and strat-egies for the development of the com-munication technology sector.

Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the League of Arab States, H E Ambassador Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi, with Director of the Treaties and International Law Department at the Arab League, H E Ambassador Ehab Makram.

PHCC, Droobi Health support people with chronic conditionsTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Droobi Health has announced its second partnership with Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) to recruit 2,200 new members, offering digital health programmes for people with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or at risk for chronic conditions.

This partnership comes after a pilot in 2019, with 500 patients recruited at PHCC’s Rawdat Al Khail and Leabaib Health Centres, to trial of

Droobi’s diabetes management programme. Initial results from this pilot showed improved clinical outcomes such as lowered average blood sugar levels and weight.

The Droobi solution has proven to be a valuable asset during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis; helping to minimise the impact on regular care delivery and cope with backlogs, increased waiting lists and lack of regular in-person follow-ups; which pose health risks to patients living with

chronic conditions. This renewal of the part-

nership is part of the continued efforts exerted by PHCC to support the proactive man-agement of high-risk diabetic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic via the Virtual Dia-betes Management Clinic. As a result of this initiative, 59 percent of PHCC’s high risk diabetic pop-ulation have received a tele-phone consultation with their family physician.

The Droobi Health

programme will be utilised to further support this group of patients through self-man-agement, lifestyle change and access to health educators (expe-rienced in diabetes management) and nutritionists.

“The Droobi Health appli-cation will strengthen PHCC’s efforts to support and protect out most vulnerable populations,” said Senior Consultant of Family Medicine and Executive Director of PHCC, Dr. Samya Ahmad Al Abdulla.

JEM praises Qatari achievements in supporting Sudan’s stabilityQNA — DOHA

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), which signed the Doha Document for Peace, praised the achievements of the State of Qatar in Sudan in terms of establishing comprehensive peace and lasting stability in the country.

The JEM said that the State of Qatar remained present on the Sudanese scene as an expression of the strength of the relations and a sign of commu-nication between the people of the two countries to support the development of Sudan.

JEM’ Political Secretary

Nahar Osman Nahar said during a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) yesterday that the Sudanese people appreciate the role of the State of Qatar, H H the Amir, the government, the people and the charitable organizations for what they have been pro-viding in terms of humani-tarian aid and support of the Sudanese people in the face of challenges in order to reach safety, something the state of Qatar has contributed to in a highly positive and trans-parent manner based on its regional and international experiences in the areas of

peace and laying down the foundations of dialogue and negotiation to solve problems and give priority to peaceful solutions as the basis for any stability and the effective prac-tical steps it is taking to support this trend.

On the final peace agreement that was signed in Juba between the Sudanese government and a number of armed movements this October, with high-level Qatari presence and partici-pation, Nahar indicated that the agreement is a preliminary step to complete the peace process in Sudan, and it is

awaiting an appreciated role by donors and partners, foremost of which is the State of Qatar, which realises the importance of peace well in Sudan.

Doha Document for Peace contributed to the estab-lishment of model villages and funds for development projects and the comprehensive renais-sance of Darfur, which rein-forces the importance of the Qatari role in persuading the peace process more than its predecessors during the next stage due to the urgent need for its expertise and experiences to enrich this aspect.

Nahar also pointed out that the State of Qatar was a sponsor of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, which enabled prom-ising chances of success, adding that the current peace process needs clear and sincere official sponsorship with a firm desire to enter the new phase to advance the peace process and make its project matrix succeed.

JEM’ Political Secretary stated the steps taken by the State of Qatar to support Sudanese stability, foremost of which is the position of the State of Qatar in support of the peace process, as well as the state of Qatar's demand to

remove Sudan from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism and its integration into the international community, and the honourable stances that followed towards the Sudanese people are in the plight of tor-rents and floods by operating an air bridge to Sudan and launching popular initiatives that greatly alleviated the suf-fering of the Sudanese people, which was well received by the Sudanese people who know well the reality of the state of Qatar’s benevolent intentions towards Sudan, especially in light of the humanitarian con-ditions it is going through.

90% of callers satisfied with Mental Health Helpline ServiceFAZEENA SALEEM THE PENINSULA

The Mental Health Helpline Service has managed 12,500 calls since its launch for the general public and frontline staff. Some 90 % of callers have expressed satisfaction over the service provided, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said.

According to a social media post by the Ministry, 90% of callers have said that they would recommend the service to a friend or relative and 85% said that it was easy to access the helpline.

In collaboration with MoPH, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and Mental Health Service in Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) launched the helpline in April 2020 to provide virtual coun-selling service to support people suffering from stress or mental disorder as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19.

About 91 % users of the hel-pline have said that video-con-sultation technology is an acceptable way to receive health services in the future. To access the helpline, which is available from 7am to 10pm every day, members of the public can telephone the toll free number 16000.

To access services of the Mental Health Helpline Service call 16000, press 2 for English, 3 for HMC Medical Services and 1 for Medical Consultation. The helpline includes a team of experienced mental health pro-fessionals including psychia-trists, psychologists, social researchers and nursing per-sonnel from various

institutions. The team members assess the situation and provide support for callers of four major groups: children, adolescents and their parents; adults; the elderly; and front-line health care workers.

The MoPH also encourages people to talk more openly about their emotional well-being and launched a campaign on Sunday, under the theme ‘Are you OK?’

Director of Public Health at MoPH, Dr. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani in a video message said, “Most people with mental health issues manage and solve simple life style changes, but some people may need more support from experts.”

By encouraging people to make a conversation about mental wellbeing, he said, “If you notice that someone you know is behaving differently, it can be that the person is struggling mental health problem.”

Division Chief Women’s Mental Health for Department of Psychiatry at Sidra Medicine, Dr. Felice Watt said that the stigma around mental health is the main challenge for people with psychological distress. “It is not something that we should be ashamed of,” she said.

National Lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing and CEO of the Mental Health Service at HMC, Iain Tulley, said that people experience feelings of stress, anxiety and sadness at some point in life and it is common. “Asking ‘Are You Okay’ in a particular way gives an opportunity to start a convo-cation with someone struggling with a mental distress,” he said.

QNCECS celebrates launch of 2020 Global Education Monitoring ReportQNA — DOHA

Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, in cooperation with Doha-based Unesco GCC and Yemen Office, cele-brated the launch of the 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report, under the theme ‘Inclusion And Education’.

Minister of Education and Higher Education and President of Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science (QNCECS), H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulwahed Al Hammadi addressed the ceremony remotely.

Speaking at the virtual event, Dr. Al Hammadi expressed pleasure for celebrating the launch of the 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report, issued by the United Nations Educa-tional, Scientific and Cultural Organ-ization (Unesco), which aims at high-lighting the progress made in the achievement of the Goal 4 of the Sus-tainable Development Goals, and all other goals, and providing infor-mation on the national and interna-tional strategies related to education in order to help everyone fulfil their obligations towards education.

The minister underlined that Qatar has paid great attention to edu-cation as the main tool for achieving development and prosperity, and has sought to overcome the obstacles that hinder its progress to ensure the provision of comprehensive edu-cation in a good environment for all citizens and residents of Qatar.

He added that Qatar has har-nessed all its material and human capabilities, and prepared the infra-structure, training, development and everything needed in order to achieve the Goal 4 of the Sustainable

Development Goals.The minister said that the report

presents a set of recommendations and the best practices to face these chal-lenges stressing that partnerships and the exchange of experiences will be the most successful way to implement these recommendations.

He said that the recommendations include expanding the understanding of inclusive education, exchanging experiences and resources, consulting with local communities and parents, activating partnership between various government departments, sectors and levels, and empowering and motivating the workforce in the field of education.

The minister said that the launch of the report comes while the world is still facing the COVID-19 pan-demic, which has changed the face of life in general and education in particular, noting that more than 90 percent of the world’s students have been affected by the closure of schools according to the report.

In this context, he stressed that Qatar has addressed this pandemic in the field of education by developing many solutions to ensure that students

are not affected, such as switching to distance learning, providing all the assistance needed to enable students to easily access education during the pandemic, and taking all the necessary safety measures to gradually return to schools, in parallel with increasing the effectiveness of distance learning.

In her welcoming speech at the ceremony, Director of the Unesco Regional Office in Doha, Dr. Anna Pollini stressed the importance of the timing of the launch of the 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report, given the unprecedented and con-tinuing disruptions facing quality education, which are felt by the whole world, especially those of the most vulnerable learners.

Pollini said that the 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report sheds light on all those who are not receiving an education because of their affili-ation and social background.

During this occasion, a panel dis-cussion was held on the report to discuss ways to ensure that every child who lives and learns in the Gulf countries gets the education they deserve during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

H E Dr. Al Hammadi expressed pleasure for celebrating the launch of the 2020 Global Education Monitoring Report, issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which aims at highlighting the progress made in the achievement of the Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals, and all other goals, and providing information on the national and international strategies related to education in order to help everyone fulfil their obligations towards education.

04 TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020HOME

QF specialist highlights elements of creating healthy work spaceTHE PENINSULA – DOHA

As employees have begun to return to offices following COVID-19-imposed remote working, and Qatar now in phase four of its lockdown regulations, creating a healthy, safe working environment has become of paramount importance to companies and organisations.

Hamoda Youssef, Head of Technical Affairs at Qatar Foundation member Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC), has high-lighted areas for employers welcoming back staff to consider creating a health-conscious workplace.

“To start with, you need to ensure good air quality,” he noted.

“Filters need to be properly cleaned, and the ventilation system double-checked, making sure that there is clean enough, fresh air being brought into space, as just re-cooling existing air doesn’t remove contam-inants and pollutants.”

It’s also essential to consider the nature of the space when looking to make it healthy.

“Employers can also provide tools to educate employees, such as installing air quality monitors. In this way, people will learn to understand how various factors can change the air quality. And being able to check the air quality could also help reassure them, making them feel safer and more comfortable.”

Another critical consideration that will impact the health and well-being of employees, according to Youssef, is access to natural daylight, which can help improve

moods, reduce depression, and increase productivity.

He also explained that “frictionless expe-riences” will help to minimise people touching shared surfaces.

“Automatic doors and faucets in wash-rooms are examples of this,” he said. “You can have contactless elevators, too, and automatic hand sanitizer dispensers. They can help in the sustainability of the space itself. Automatic sensors only turn on light fixtures and air conditioning units when someone enters a room. Also, relying on natural daylight decreases energy con-sumption. Ultimately, these tools can improve hygiene, cleanliness, and overall

comfort levels, as well as helping with the overall efficiency of operations.”

Youssef also suggested incorporating plants into communal spaces, purifying the air, and helping to combat what is now being referred to as “COVID fatigue.”

“The pandemic has been going for many months, and people are exhausted – they need to have their spirits lifted. Plants can have calming benefits, which, in turn, help improve general mental health,” he explained.

Employers can also utilize the concept of a “free address,” Youssef said.

“Globally, we are now seeing office spaces expand into what we call the free address, which means not being tied into a specific physical workplace. So if you feel more comfortable working from a meeting room, or a cafeteria, or from a lounge, you have that freedom of movement.”

Another factor to consider is employing sustainable ways of cleaning.

“From the start of the pandemic, the rec-ommendation has been to use regular soap. We weren’t told to use disinfectants, which unfortunately became the case extensively. But being exposed to such harsh chemicals isn’t good for our skin or our health. And as things start to settle down, people will begin to look for more eco-friendly and human-friendly products and begin to have more trust in these alternatives.

“Essentially, it’s not just about going to the office solely to deliver work, but also about promoting overall well-being – whether social, mental, or physical.”

Hamoda Youssef, Head of Technical Affairs, Qatar Green Building Council.

Lulu Hypermarket extends support to QCS

THE PENINSULA – DOHA

Lulu Hypermarket has supported ‘Blossom Campaign’ that was launched by Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) on October 1, to raise awareness about breast cancer during the month. Lulu has launched a campaign under the title ‘Shop and Donate’ by allocating part of the sales proceeds of more than 700 products during October to support QCS awareness programmes.

This donation is being given as part of

their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and to support Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which aims to build an advanced society capable of sustaining its devel-opment and providing a high standard of living for its people to achieve its long-term goals.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and as part of their campaign, Lulu showroom staff have marked their partic-ipation by wearing a pink ribbon, the worldwide symbol. The aim is to raise

awareness among the customers and staff alike and encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent cancers.

Director of Resources Development Department at QCS, Dr. Dera Al Dosari, said: “Wearing Lulu’s staff the pink ribbon to support QCS’ efforts and to spread awareness epically is not the first time Lulu supports QCS. This initiative is considered a contribution from Lulu hypermarket in achieving QCS’ vision to be the community partnership platform to make Qatar a leader in cancer prevention and its burden control, and it’s mission.”

“We seek to prevent cancer and control its burden in Qatar by working with our partners to educate the community and to support, empower, and advocate for indi-viduals living with cancer. We want to engage in the professional development and scientific research combating cancer,” said Dr. Deara.

He thanked the management and staff of Lulu Hypermarket for their continued efforts in support of QCS in its cancer awareness initiatives and addressing the needs of cancer patients who cannot afford the treatment. He advised all state insti-tutions to support QCS, working in one of the most critical healthcare fields.

“The cooperation also include the par-ticipation of QCS’s volunteers to inform Lulu shoppers about the campaign and encourage them on the importance of early detection. Many thanks to Lulu hyper-market for support,” he added.

Lulu staff wearing pink ribbon to support Qatar Cancer Society campaign.

New Ooredoo ONE promotion launchedTHE PENINSULA – DOHA

Ooredoo announced yesterday a promotion for new customers signing up to its Ooredoo ONE plans, with a host of extra benefits making this the best deal yet. New customers signing up for an Ooredoo ONE plan will get a Smart Wi-Fi device for no extra charge and pay an installation charge of just QR100 instead of QR300.

Total savings with the new promotion could add up to an impressive QR1,040, making the promotion great value for money. Ooredoo ONE is the telecom oper-ator’s all-in-one home service providing the fastest Internet speeds and the most extensive fibre internet coverage in Qatar, with smart Wi-Fi provided by Ooredoo’s smart Wi-Fi device.

Included with Ooredoo ONE plans is access to some of the best entertainment around; the all-new OSN Streaming App, STARZ PLAY, beIN Complete or ELITE and/or Doosra depending on choice of plan.

Director PR at Ooredoo, Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, said: “We’re delighted to offer this incredible new promotion which makes our already attractive Ooredoo ONE proposition even better value. " This promotion is valid until January 6, 2021 and is open to new customers.

QatarDebate Center launches first phase of ‘Path Academy’THE PENINSULA – DOHA

The QatarDebate Center, a member of the Qatar Foun-dation will launch the ‘Path Academy’ with participation of 22 students. Students represent Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.

Communication would be established between students and organisers including Abdal Rahman AlKubaisi, Saad Al Assad, and Muhammad Khader from Qatar, Fahad Al Subaie and Bader Al Shatti from Oman, Salem Al Shammakhi, Hawa Al Jaradi and Hamza Al Sioufi from Georgetown University.

Due to COVID-19 restric-tions, QatarDebate launches the ‘Path Academy’ to embrace its first batch of distance learning over the course of an entire year with aim of training a distin-guished batch of debaters who participated in summer debate camp, which has been educa-tional and recreational through interactive programmes.

Head of Outreach Pro-grammes Department at QatarDebate, Abdulrahman Al Subaie said that ‘Path Academy’ will be held in three phases.

The first phase will be four months starting from Sep-tember to December and con-cludes with a proposed gath-ering in Kuwait. The second phase will start in January and continue until March with a pro-posed hypothetical gathering in Qatar. Finally, the third phase will be for a period of four months from April 2021 to July and the gathering will be in Oman.

“The academy is an oppor-tunity for young people to learn

and acquire exceptional knowledge and skills in various fields, and to present them for discussion in civilized way with experts of the center’s trainers and ambassadors. Moreover, it is a stage towards establishing university debates with advanced scientific and profes-sional foundations that achieve the goals of the center, which strives to provide the best pro-grammes for youth debate,” Al Subaie said.

Through the ‘Path Academy’, QatarDebate Center aim to build a generation of debaters aware of their reality, rooted in their identity, and con-tribute to building their com-munity responsibly.

Throughout an academic year that achieves integration between the art of debate, general knowledge, life experi-ences and the skills necessary to build the personality of high

school students i n t h r e e countries.

The activities of the academy are centered on five basic values, respect, cooper-ation, responsi-bility, love of learning, and belonging. ‘Path Academy’, in its first phase, is based on theo-retical work-shops on politics, environment, law, economics and other various issues, in addition to practical workshops and a panel discussion on Gulf history and society and another on liter-ature and art.

The academy is an opportunity for young people to learn and acquire exceptional knowledge and skills in various fields, and to present them for discussion in civilized way with experts of the center’s trainers and ambassadors.

Abdulrahman Al Subaie,Head of Outreach Programs Department at QatarDebate

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Al-Ahli Hospital has launched a campaign to coincide with breast cancer awareness month in October, to educate staff about importance of early detection of the condition.

A virtual lecture was held in collaboration with Qatar Cancer Society to create more awareness about prevention, symptoms and diagnosing breast cancer. Also an art com-petition was held among the Al-Ahli Hospital staff.

Chief of Medical Staff at Al-Ahli Hospital, Dr. Abdul Azim Abdul Wahab Hussain, said: “Breast cancer awareness cam-paign comes in response to the increasing number of the cancer in the world. Early detection and prevention of breast cancer is of great importance and this

campaign intends to get this message across to the com-munity. Al-Ahli Hospital is keen on building a community that believes that prevention is better than cure, therefore,

healthy lifestyles are encouraged. Early detection of this disease can save lives. So Al-Ahli Hospital urges all women in Qatar to be ‘breast aware’ and take part in the

breast cancer awareness month.”

“We encourage women in different ages to undergo early screening for breast cancer screening. We educate and empower women of their breast health by knowing signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and setting an annual mammog-raphy screening appointment. We also encourage women to adopt a healthy lifestyles, because physically active women are less likely to have breast cancer,” he said.

He also stressed that even though not much is known about the actual cause of breast cancer and how it could be prevented, there is hope for those get diag-nosed early and seek treatment.

The Director of Nursing at Al-Ahli Hospital, Claudine El Araybi, said: “At Al-Ahli

Hospital, we are truly keen on raising awareness about the importance of health and wellness, and how it affects the lives of our community.

“With this campaign, we are hoping to bring positive change to the community and honor those who are fighting against it,” she added. She also said that,

all presentations of the lecture will be audio recorded and will be available for staff who were not able to attend the face to face presentations due to limited seating capacity of the auditorium. The breast cancer awareness lecture shall provide Al-Ahli Hospital staff with a CPD credit under category 2.

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

A new research project produced by Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) students hopes to change the narrative on what it means to live, work, study, and raise a family in Qatar.

Decoding Qatar, a podcast series on Instagram highlights the country’s history, culture, lan-guage, tourist attractions, enter-tainment, and employment and investment opportunities through the voices of residents in Qatar.

“Qatar is a small country with a big ambition,” said Assistant Professor and advisor on the project, João Queiroga.

“Over the past two decades, it transformed from a quiet, rel-atively unknown country, to one in a position of power in inter-national sports, education, and politics. Despite it being a cos-mopolitan and modern place to live, many people remain unaware of what it is actually like to live here – our goal is to give its residents control of the nar-rative about life in Doha,” said Queiroga.

Earlier this year, students Marielle Aguelo Cortel, Xiruo Chen, and Rui Oh, supported by Queiroga, received a grant from Northwestern University’s Office

of Undergraduate Research to develop a multimedia project on life in Qatar, focusing on resi-dents and nationals’ perceptions of the country’s new-found wealth and rapid urban and social development.

While the group’s initial plan was to create a documentary, restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic meant they had to revisit their original strategy and find alternative mediums to bring their stories to life. While working remotely from China, Singapore, and Qatar, they decided the best

platform would be a podcast format coupled with animated visual elements.

For the students, the project serves as an outlet to correct fal-lacies and stereotypes of the Qatari community and life as an expatriate in the country.

“As our undergraduate years in Qatar have been illuminating and pleasant, we consider Qatar as a second home and find it pivotal to dispel foreigners’ common and often, only con-ception of Qataris as wealthy individuals who lead luxurious lifestyles,” said Cortel.

The project launched with a podcast featuring a general manager from Singapore who has lived in Qatar for more than 10 years and considers it his home. He discusses professional rela-tionships he has with Qatari busi-nessmen and the comfortable life he has been able to provide his family by working in Doha.

Their second guest is a jour-nalist from Greece, who moved to Qatar in 2017 and explains how she feels safer living and working in Doha than she did in Athens, especially as a woman.

Future podcasts will feature a Filipino couple who will discuss the opportunities that have been provided to their family while living in Qatar and a North-western Qatar alumnus who will offer a local perspective as a Qatari national, explaining her country’s hospitable culture and close-knit family relations.

Along with the podcasts, the students are using their Instagram account to promote facts about Qatar through the use of interactive quizzes, covering topics that include the country’s international investment port-folio, meanings behind major art pieces and installations in Qatar, and unique details about the country’s desert landscape and climate.

05TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 HOME

Breast cancer awareness campaign comes in response to the increasing number of the cancer in the world. Early detection and prevention of breast cancer is of great importance and this campaign intends to get this message across to the community.

Dr. Abdul Azim Abdul Wahab Hussain, Chief of Medical Staff at Al-Ahli Hospital

NU-Q students launch podcast to highlight Qatar

Al-Ahli Hospital launches breast cancer awareness campaign

A lecture being delivered as part of Al-Ahli Hospital’s breast cancer awareness campaign.

A post from Decoding Qatar Instagram page

Road closure on University StreetTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced partial traffic closures on the University Street, and Abdul Aziz Bin Jassim Street, starting tomorrow (October 14).

The left lanes will be tem-porarily closed in both direc-tions on University Street for a

distance of 650m between Omar Al Mukhtar intersection to Al Khafji intersection and 200m between Lejbailat inter-section to Omar Al Mukhtar intersection.

Similarly, left lanes will be temporarily closed for 400m from Lejbailat intersection to TV intersection on Abdul Aziz Bin Jassim Street.

QU awarded EU funding to teach EU lawTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

The Center for Law and Devel-opment (CLD) at the College of Law (LAWC), Qatar University (QU), has been awarded the European Union (EU) Jean Monnet Module funding to deliver courses on EU law to students and professionals in Qatar.

The ‘Doha Courses on European Union Law’ will be the first Jean Monnet Module in Qatar and the GCC, and the courses will be delivered annually for three years. In a funding competition, the CLD won a competitive grant and was one of 360 awarded applications out of the 1447 eligible funding applications in 2020.

The Module aims to create

interest in the European Union and constitute the basis for future European knowledge and research poles in Qatar. The Module will allow the CLD to deliver tailor-made courses on specific European Union law issues relevant to graduates’ pro-fessional lives.

The Module will promote research and teaching experience among young researchers, scholars, and practitioners in the EU issues. Further, it seeks to foster the publication and dis-semination of academic research in EU law and create interest in the EU amongst Qatar students. This will help Qatar-based lawyers develop skills and knowledge in EU law to equip local businesses and

organizations better to trade with EU businesses and deal with EU institutions.

Firstly, the Module compo-nents focus on introducing the European Union’s legal history and institutions, and secondly, on legal areas where the European Union plays a leading role. It aims to promote international organ-isations’ knowledge and inte-gration using the European Union as a model, environmental pro-tection, and human rights, critical pillars of QNV2030. The focus on protecting the environment and human rights represents an essential contribution towards promoting environmental and human rights issues in the Qatari society. Increasing education quality on the above issues will

have essential spill-overs on Qatari education and community. Finally, there will be a Research Seminar on Conducting Research on European Union Law.

The Jean Monnet Module and its components will contribute to the strategic objectives of pro-moting the role of Qatar Uni-versity as a source of expertise to serve the nation’s needs; strengthening local, regional, and international partnerships in strategic areas and be a catalyst development of Qatar. It also seeks to enhance Qatar’s inno-vation in collaboration with Qatar’s government, industry, and funding organizations. The project will result in improved competencies in law programs.

QU College of Law Associate

Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Khalid Al Shamari, commented: “This will allow for better job placement of graduates and ben-efits for the national workforce and institutions. It will have a very positive impact on Qatari companies and institutions, thus contributing to the knowledge-based economy and the diversi-

fication of growth.” Several organizations in

Qatar have departments dealing with European affairs. Teaching personnel in the Module activ-ities will improve capacities to develop and teach modern European Union law courses that exhibit state-of-the-art European standards.

A view of Qatar University.

Doha nominated for top business travel, sports tourism destination

FROM PAGE 1

Voting is now open and runs until October 25. The winners will be revealed on November 27. Votes can be cast via: https://www.worldtravelawards.com/nom-inees/2020/world

In addition to the World awards, WTA also has awards for different countries as well as regional awards for Europe, Asia, Oceania, Middle East, South America, Central America, North America, Africa, Indian Ocean & Caribbean. Winners in the Middle East region will be announced on November 4. The World Travel Awards is a global initiative which recognises excellence in all key sectors of travel, tourism and hospitality industries. It has also been considered as the “ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.”

QU’s IIP Office facilitated 39 patents, says official

FROM PAGE 1

The office also considers converting any invention into a tangible product, IIP Office Director said, noting that some get a patent certificate without taking a step forward to convert this invention into a com-mercial product serving humanity. This is one of the tasks that the office undertakes. It helps inventors develop, design, and market their inno-vations, whether by licensing the invention or establishing a startup, he added.

He stressed that the QU’s success in this approach is due to the material and human capabilities employed in the service of the university’s strat-egies. He explained that today’s university has more than 1,600 professors, specialists, experts, and researchers in various dis-ciplines with specialised research centers and business incubators inside and outside the university to help innovators.

Dr. Al Jabri emphasised that the it has strong relations with a specialised entities in research, development and technology transfer. Also

funding, such as the Qatar Foundation, Science and Tech-nology Park, Qatar Devel-opment Bank, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He pointed out that IIP seeks to develop its relations in part-nership with those who benefit from the product in the civil, military, oil and gas sectors, and the private sector companies.

Regarding COVID-19, Dr. Al Jabri said that QU had offered outstanding support to confront the pandemic, focusing on technologies and noted that projects had reached advanced development stages.

He said one of the innova-tions had reached the experi-mental stage, and its technical validity has been confirmed. It is now in the process of intel-lectual property protection before becoming into a mar-ketable product. The filter, developed by a researcher at QU can be placed in medical facilities to purify the air and kill the virus. The, which is still in the development stage, will ensure the doctor communi-cates with patients and delivers food and medicine to them.

Solidarity with Palestinian prisoner

Enjoying the outdoors

06 TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 MIDDLE EAST

Demonstrators holding pictures of hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Maher Al Akhras, who is held by Israel, during a rally to show solidarity with Al Akhras, in Gaza City, yesterday.

Iran: ‘Historic’ US defeat nearsas arms embargo to be liftedAFP — TEHRAN

Iran yesterday said the US was facing a “historic” defeat as an arms embargo against Tehran is to be lifted within days despite Washington’s bid to have it extended.

Addressing the issue at a news conference, foreign min-istry spokesman Saeed Khati-bzadeh also lashed out at the “insanity” of the latest US sanc-tions against banks in the Islamic republic.

On Sunday the “historic defeat of the United States will be realised, and that came to be despite its attempts, trickery and extrajudicial moves,” Khat-ibzadeh said.

“Iran again showed that the United States is not as all-powerful as it says,” he added.

The embargo on the sale of arms to Iran is due to start expiring progressively from October 18, under the terms of a UN resolution that blessed the 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic republic and world powers.

Washington suffered a setback in August when it failed to win support from the United Nations Security

Council to indefinitely extend the embargo.

President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal in 2018 before reimposing US sanctions on Iran.

Since then, the US has slapped additional sanctions on Iran as part of a campaign of “maximum pressure”, with the latest on Thursday concerning 18 banks.

“We used to say they are addicted to sanctions, but now they have reached insanity,” Khatibzadeh said.

The spokesman added that the excessive use of sanctions had caused the Americans to

“cannibalise” themselves, as well as prompted other coun-tries to find alternatives to the US dollar.

The US claims that trans-actions involving humanitarian goods such as food and med-icine are exempt and that sanc-tions are “directed at the regime”.

Yet statements from experts and rights groups indicate the sanctions have had dire humanitarian consequences and caused suffering for the people of Iran.

In a speech yesterday, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pointed to the role of sanctions on Iran’s troubled economy and called them “a crime in the true sense of the word.”

He emphasised that the “cure” for the economy “should not be sought outside of the country”, and called for the “focusing on production, pre-venting the continuous deval-uation of national currency” and fighting smuggling and corruption.

“We will continue resisting so that, God willing, this maximum pressure will turn to maximum disgrace and a cause of regret for them,” he said.

Israel approves building hundreds of settlement units in BethlehemQNA/AFP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM

The Israeli occupation author-ities have approved the construction of hundreds of new housing units on expro-priated Palestinian lands to the west of the occupied southern West Bank city of Bethlehem to expand an illegal colonial settlement.

Head of the Bethlehem office of the Wall and Settle-ments Resistance Commission Hasan Breijieh told Palestine’s news agency Wafa that based on Israeli reports, the occu-pation authorities have approved the construction of 500 housing units in the illegal Israeli settlement, which is built on lands belonging to Palestinians from Wadi Fukin village.

He said that Israel is tar-geting Bethlehem with plans to expand its illegal settlements, the latest of which was rezoning

al-Tamara village, east of Beth-lehem, in order to include more of its land to the area settle-ments, as well as barring land-owners and villagers from accessing their lands located near the settlements

Israel’s government yes-terday approved immigration plans for 2,000 Ethiopians whose desire to move to the Jewish state has stirred contro-versy and faced extended delays.

The group are members of the Falash Mura, descendants of Ethiopian Jews who con-verted to Christianity — many under duress — in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are not rec-ognised as Jews by Israel’s Orthodox rabbinical authorities, but claim the right to immigrate under family reunification rules.

The government approved about 9,000 claimants in 2015 but then rescinded the decision the following year, citing budg-

etary constraints. Some groups in Israel,

including members of the Ethi-opian community, have opposed immigration of the Falash Mura, citing doubts over their claim to be Jewish.

Netanyahu told his cabinet on Monday that it was time to bring “2,000 of our people, our brothers and sisters from Ethiopia.”

“We will also act to bring all of the rest,” he said.

Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata, the first Ethi-opian Jewish woman elected to Israel’s parliament, praised the government’s “unanimous vote to bring 2,000 people to Israel who are waiting in Ethiopia to be united with their families.”

The bulk of Ethiopia’s Jewish community was brought to the country between 1984 and 1991 under the Law of Return, which guarantees Israeli citizenship to all Jews.

Iran reports highest ever daily coronavirus deathsREUTERS — DUBAI

Iran registered a daily record 272 deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said yesterday, taking total fatalities to 28,816 in the worst-hit country in the Middle East.

Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that 4,206 new cases were identified in the past 24 hours, with the total number of identified cases spiking to 504,281.

Iranian health officials have warned about a third wave of the pandemic, while the government has blamed the spike in infec-tions partly on a decline in public adherence to health protocols. Mask-wearing became mandatory in public in the capital on Sat-urday and President Hassan Rouhani announced that violators would be fined. Authorities are planning to make mask-wearing man-datory in public in other large cities, Iranian media reported.

Jordan King swears innew govt to speed reformsREUTERS — TEHRAN

Jordan’s H M King Abdullah yesterday swore in a new government led by veteran diplomat Bisher Al Khaswaneh that will seek to accelerate IMF-backed reforms as the economy faces its sharpest contraction in decades due to the coronavirus crisis.

British-educated Khasawneh, 51, was a p p o i n t e d o n Wednesday to replace Omar Al Razzaz, at a time of rising popular discontent about worsening economic condi-tions and curbs on public freedoms under emergency laws to contain the pandemic.

The new premier, who comes from a family that has long held senior political posts, has spent most of his public career as a veteran diplomat and peace negotiator with Israel with a last stint as palace adviser.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Finance Minister Mohamad Al Ississ, who oversees the country’s reform program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), kept their posts in a 32-member cabinet dominated by a mix of technocrats and con-servative politicians who held sway in previous governments. The new government faces an

uphill task to revive growth in an economy that is expected to shrink by around 6% this year as it grapples with its worst eco-nomic crisis in many years, with unemployment and poverty aggravated by the pandemic.

Jordan this month saw a near-doubling of total infec-tions since the first cases in early March, bringing warnings of a collapse in health services if it gets out of control.

Khasawneh will oversee parliamentary elections due on Nov 10. The contest will take place under an electoral law that marginalises the main Islamist opposition and inde-pendent political parties to keep a majority of pro-gov-ernment deputies.

Erdogan-backed Tatar, Akinci to contest Turkish Cypriot runoffAFP — NICOSIA

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, a pro-reunification moderate, and Ankara-backed challenger Ersin Tatar are to contest an October 18 runoff in breakaway northern Cyprus, following an election on Sunday.

Tatar won 32 percent of the vote, ahead of the incumbent, Akinci, who netted almost 30 percent in a field of 11 candidates, the election council said. With no can-didate winning a clear majority, Tatar and Akinci are to hold a second round next Sunday.

The incumbent president is tipped to overcome his 60-year-old challenger with the backing of Tufan Erhurman, a fellow Social Democrat and supporter of reunification in a federation with the Greek Cypriot south, who won 21 percent in Sun-day’s vote.

“Akinci will probably win the second round with more than 55 percent,” said Mine Yucel, the head of Prologue Consulting which specialises in polling.

The election council said 58 percent of the almost 199,000-electorate voted, down from 62 percent in 2015.

People wearing protective face masks against the spread of COVID-19, sit on benches in the Kugulu Park in Ankara, yesterday.

Former PM Hariri to meet Lebanon parties over French planAFP — BEIRUT

Lebanon’s Saad Hariri, a former prime minister seeking a new term, said yesterday he would meet all key parties to survey their commitment to a French rescue plan.

The country is bankrupt, but the ruling elite has so far failed to respond to calls by French President Emmanuel Macron

for the rapid formation of an independent government.

Hariri, himself one of Leb-anon’s hereditary political barons, stepped down from the position of prime minister a year ago under pressure from a massive protest movement calling for an end to sectarian-based politics.

“I will send a delegation to talk with all the main political

blocs, to ensure that they are still fully committed” to Macron’s initiative, Hariri said, after meeting President Michel Aoun.

Macron visited Lebanon two days after the August 4 Beirut port explosion that disfigured the city, and returned three weeks later to check on the status of reforms he conditioned international support on.

The roadmap Macron laid out for debt-ridden Lebanon included a two-week deadline for the formation of a tighter and independent government of experts, that would only stay in office a few months.

A new prime minister, Mus-tapha Adib, was designated — but he threw in the towel after meeting resistance from the top Shia parties that sought

guarantees they would retain the finance ministry.

Hariri, who has already served two terms as Lebanese premier and has close ties with France, has since resurfaced as the most likely candidate to take over.

“I am convinced that Pres-ident Macron’s initiative is the only and last remaining oppor-tunity for our country to stop

the collapse and rebuild Beirut,” Hariri said, according to a statement from his office.

Hariri last week said he was a possible candidate to head a new government to stem the country’s economic collapse.

His series of meetings comes ahead of parliamentary consultations to appoint a new premier which are scheduled to start on Thursday.

Lebanon names team for border talks with IsraelAP — BEIRUT

Lebanon announced yesterday the names of its delegation that will hold indirect talks later this week with Israel over the disputed maritime border between the two countries.

The announcement by President Michel Aoun’s office comes two weeks after Lebanon and Israel reached an agreement on a framework for the US-mediated talks. The talks are scheduled to begin tomorrow at the headquarters of the UN peacekeeping force in the southern Lebanese border town of Naqoura.

Israel and Lebanon have no diplomatic rela-tions and are technically in a state of war. They each claim about 860 sq km of the Mediterranean

Sea as within their own exclusive economic zones.

Aoun’s office said the four-member Lebanese delegation will be headed by air force Brig. Gen. Bassam Yassin. The three other members are navy Col. Mazen Basbous, Lebanese oil official Wissam Chbat and border expert Najib Massihi.

Israel’s Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz will lead the Israeli delegation, according to Israeli officials. Lebanese officials have made sure to send a team of experts to show that this week’s talks with Israel are purely technical and don’t mean any kind of normalization between the two countries. Lebanon’s Hezbollah group said last week that the talks don’t mean reconcili-ation with Israel.

Kuwait reports 777 new virus cases, six deathsQNA — KUWAIT

Kuwait Ministry of Health reported 777 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 111,893.The ministry’s spokesman said that 6 deaths have been recorded, bringing the total number of deaths in Kuwait to 664 cases so far.

The patients in intensive care units have reached 139.

Jordan’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Bisher Al Khaswaneh taking oath in Amman, yesterday.

The embargo on the sale of arms to Iran is due to start expiring progressively from October 18, under the terms of a UN resolution that blessed the 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic republic and world powers.

07TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2020 AFRICA

Tunisia President Kais Saied (right) meets with Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Political Affairs in Libya, Stephanie Williams, in Carthage Palace in Tunis, yesterday.

Kenya partially reopens schools after six monthsREUTERS — NAIROBI

Kenyan schoolchildren in grades four, eight and 12 returned to class yesterday, ending a months-long closure of all educational institutions in the country designed to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Many nations have grappled with how to reopen schools safely amid the pandemic, but in Kenya, where public and private schools were shut after

the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in March, the clo-sures have been among the longest in Africa.

The three levels going back to school are all preparing for standardised exams that were postponed from November to March. The government will decide later whether all students can return, Education Minister George Magoha said at a Nairobi primary school, where he accepted a donation of 1 million

face masks from a Kenyan bank.“Procurement processes are

not complete for masks,” said the minister. “As we prepare to open more schools, we are going to need more masks.” He asked companies to donate sup-plies instead of cash due to cor-ruption in government procurement.

The minister said children should return to school even if they fear they have fallen behind during the months at

home. “No parent should be ashamed to bring their child to school,” he said. More than 17 million Kenyan students have missed six months of school, the United Nations children’s agency said, leading to other social problems.

“We are seeing large numbers of reported violence against children, child marriage, child pregnancy, and child labour,” said Marilyn Hoar, Unicef’s education chief in

Kenya. Some 1.6 million children rely on school meals that stopped in March, she added. Many families do not have the devices and internet access that enable children to take part in remote schooling.

Like much of Africa, Kenya’s COVID-19 outbreak remains relatively mild - 766 deaths and just over 41,500 cases. Although testing is limited, hospitals have not been overwhelmed. Masks are mandatory in public.

Libyan militia ‘holding 60 migrants hostage’AP — CAIRO

A Libyan armed group is holding hostage at least 60 migrants, including two dozen children, in “appalling” conditions after abducting them almost two weeks ago, an aid group said.

Masked mil i t iamen abducted the migrants on Sep-tember 28 from the town of Al Ajaylat, around 80km west of the capital, Tripoli, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres. The statement said that the armed group initially took hostage around 350 migrants, mainly from West Africa, but that most of the migrants managed to escape while some others were released.

The aid group said that it had been notified by the Libyan government’s agency for com-batting illegal migration two

days after the abduction, and later visited the warehouse where the migrants were held.

“We found over 350 women, children, and men sleeping on the ground in appalling living conditions without access to water, showers, or toilets,” said Guil-laume Baret, MSF’s head of mission in Libya.

The militia stole valuable items and identification docu-ments from the migrants, before taking them to a ware-house guarded by armed men in the nearby coastal city of Sabratha, the biggest launching point for the mainly African migrants who make the dan-gerous voyage across the Med-iterranean Sea, the group said.

The Switzerland-based organization, also known as

Doctors Without Borders, said that the remaining hostages are being held by the militia at a former military base.

Two Sabratha residents and one migrant said most of the armed men belong to a militia known as Al-Ammu, which the UN Panel of Experts on Libya identified in 2017 as main facil-itators of human trafficking. The migrant said the militiamen are likely seeking ransom from fam-ilies of the held migrants, or to sell them to other traffickers.

Al Ammu and another militia, called the Brigade 48, are headed by two brothers from the area’s large al-Dabashi family. Both militias are affil-iated with the U.N.-supported government in Tripoli.

The residents and migrant spoke on condition of

anonymity for fear of reprisals. A spokesman for the Tripoli-based interior ministry did not answer phone calls and mes-sages seeking comment.

The aid group said its medics were only allowed to consult with women and children among the captive migrants, and they were not allowed to treat men. A shooting reportedly broke out following an attempted escape on October 2, and at least three people were killed, it said. “The situation at the warehouse was tense, with armed men firing shots into the air,” the group’s statement added. The migrants’ abduction shows the perils that refugees and migrants face in war-torn Libya, with those trapped in the country unable to “escape violence or find safety,” according to MSF.

UN urges Libyans to prioritise national interest in November talksAFP — CARTHAGE, TUNISIA

The UN’s Libya envoy yesterday urged rival parties to place the national interest before political ambitions when they meet for talks next month aimed at ending a decade of bloodshed.

The North African country is dominated by armed groups, riven by local conflicts and divided between two bitterly opposed adminstrations: a United Nations-recognised unity government based in Tripoli and its eastern-based rival backed by strongman Khalifa Haftar.

Neighbouring Tunisia is set to host talks in early November including representatives of civil society, tribesmen, political leaders, and members of bodies representing both

administrations.“What we want to see in

terms of participation is people who are not there for their own political aspirations, but for their country,” said UN envoy Stephanie Williams yesterday, after meeting Tunisian Pres-ident Kais Saied.

Asked whether Haftar or unity government chief Fayez Al Sarraj would be present, she said participants would be able to take part on the condition “that they remove themselves from consideration in high gov-ernment positions.”

She said this included mem-bership of the key Presidential Council, the prime minister’s job and ministerial posts.

The talks are intended to prepare for national elections, she added.

Tunisia’s Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi called for “a dialogue between Libyans that could lead to a political solution to the crisis.”

A previous agreement between rival Libyan sides, signed in Morocco in 2015, created a unity government that was never recognised by Haftar.

In April 2019 he launched an offensive to seize Tripoli, but was pushed back after over a year of fighting.

Since his forces were driven from western Libya, the rival sides have resumed talks on specific themes: institutions, military and political affairs.

The Tunis talks will begin on October 26 by videoconference, before continuing face-to-face in early November.

Students wearing protective face masks maintain social distancing as they attend a class after some schools reopened amid the COVID-19 crisis, in Misrata, Libya.

Pandemic adds to war in keeping children out of schoolREUTERS — MISRATA, LIBYA

Their young lives already disrupted by war, Libyan schoolchildren face even bigger obstacles to their education during the global pandemic than young people elsewhere.

With the number of cases surging unhindered across the North African country