Education Excellence Celebrated in Qatar

There was jubilation, pleasure, delight, and joy all round as over 140 students from all levels of study, two teachers, and two schools received prestigious awards for their outstanding performance and contributions to the success of education reform in Qatar at the Education Excellence Day event held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on November 11, 2007.

In his speech in the Education Excellence Day Year Book, HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani says, "Education excellence is an indicator for excellence in work. The competence, skills, and highly developed sense of responsibility that mark excellence are required for all nations to develop and thrive."

"It's the best day of my life!" exclaimed Mohammed Fahad Al Khulaifi, a recent graduate from Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Mana Secondary School for Boys.

Mohammed was among the more than 140 students from across Qatar, along with top-performing teachers and schools, honored at the ceremony marking Education Excellence Day.

"It is a great honor to win one of the excellence awards, which are truly the most prestigious education awards in Qatar," said Nouf Hamed Al Thani, one of the teachers honored at the event. "This award is motivation for us to exert more effort and to do our best to serve our country."

Students honored included high school graduates, university graduates and new Ph.D. holders. The high school and university graduates received either platinum or gold awards, while the Ph.D. holders all received platinum awards. High school students were all enrolled in either the independent, international or Ministry of Education schools, and university graduates attended schools both in Qatar and abroad, including many from Education City, Also, for the first time, a student research project was recognized.

"I am very proud, happy and excited about wining this medal," said Jumana Ahmed Abu Khadija who was awarded a medal for her research project on nutrition of Qatar’s children. "I took up the subject because I saw the condition of kids around Qatar. Every time I go to the malls I see small children eating junk food."

Jumana's mother Fatma Kamil Al Otoum shared the sentiment felt by all of the parents whose children were honored. "I am very proud of my daughter's achievement. It is a great inspiration!" she said.

Held under the patronage of HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Education Excellence Day demonstrates the commitment of Qatar’s leadership to education and its recognition that developing a knowledge-based society is fundamental to the nation achieving its ambitious goals.

Many of those honored recognized that while the rewards recognized their outstanding accomplishments, it was truly the work put into those outcomes that was important.

"I worked really hard towards achieving this pride. It took many hours of study and research to achieve," said Dana Abdulla Al Khalaf, a recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Education City. Dana also received an Education Excellence award when she graduated from high school.

Education Excellence was first formally celebrated in 2006. To read more about the awards, including a full list of those honored, you can visit http://www.english.education.gov.qa/eed.