Day: May 6, 2023

The Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) Maha Al Ruwaili unveiled a project aimed at adding a pre-kindergarten level to the public kindergarten for the first time, starting from the next academic year.

In an interview with QNA, Al Ruwaili explained that the MoEHE, and after thorough studies, decided to add the pre-kindergarten level (For 3-years old children) to the public kindergartens as a pilot stage starting from the upcoming academic year in August 2023.

The ministry chose four schools to initiate the application of this project which are distributed to several areas, based on certain regulations and criteria, she said, calling on the citizens to promptly register their kids in those kindergartens that have been fully equipped to best suit the 3-years old children.

Believing in the importance of education at an early age, along with its impact on augmenting children’s motivation for education, the launch of this project came, she said, adding that the project aims to open children’s prospects to permanently maintain this motivation, which is the bedrock of the success of the educational process in subsequent academic levels.

Al Ruwaili underlined that early childhood is the real wealth, and the largest investment on which countries count in their renaissance and progress, pointing out that the significance of this stage primarily entails the basis to form the human character with proper upbringing, in addition to instilling values, skills, innovation and responsibility in the children’s hearts to face future challenges and solve life problems.

Early education is one of the most important stages where countries are keen to set plans and strategies to develop them in a way that promotes child’s character, refines his/her talents and stimulates his or her innovation, Al Ruwaili outlined, adding that children are the building blocks of the the decent community. She pointed out that interest in education in its all stages is an interest in developing human who is the real wealth of the country to chart the future through education and sophisticated training.

For this reason, the State of Qatar prioritizes this educational stage through setting the plans to achieve its vision in offering excellent educational opportunities to students at this age, Al Ruwaili noted. She indicated that the MoEHE sought to provide distinguished educational cadres for the early education based on the world-class standards, in addition to overseeing constant training and development of cadres, and affording them the essential support.

She stated that children’s engagement in systematic educational programs at the early age enhances their mental, social and physical roles to create child’s character and build concepts, skills and social values.

For her part, Director of the Early Education Department at MoEHE Maryam Al Buainain asserted that the MoEHE has completed all preparations to receive the first batch of students for this stage in four kindergartens as a pilot stage.

The kindergartens that have been chosen to apply the pilot project include; Al Manar Model Kindergarten for Boys in Ar-Rayyan, Abu Hanifa Kindergarten for Boys in Doha Municipality, Kindergarten Zekreet Independent Primary Girls and Al Khwarizmi Kindergarten for Girls with two classes in each one, Al Buainain said.

She underlined that the selection of these kindergartens has been made based on accurate criteria concerning population density, gender and children’s percentage that ensure a successful experience and cover the real need through this pilot stage.

She pointed out that different municipalities with population density have been chosen, including qualified and equipped kindergartens that include 12 classes, indicating that three of them are out of operation, and can be utilized to absorb any increasing number, as well as achieving balance between males and females through allocating two kindergartens for males and the same number for females.

Each academic class accommodates 16 students only, with two teachers, and an assistant teacher, Al Buainain pointed out, calling on parents to promptly register their kids in those kindergartens.

The ministry studied this project with its various dimensions, and discussed its multi-faceted aspects with the professional and concerned educational experts, kindergartens’ professionals and parents utilizing a wide range of global and pioneering experiences, as well as studies and researches, she said.

Al Buainain stressed on the importance of raising the parents’ awareness of this educational stage that precedes kindergarten, and its role in developing the child’s character, pointing out that there are ample and highly qualified Qatari educational cadres to operate in kindergartens, specially the university graduates.

The MoEHE set to hold a professional workshop for female teachers ahead of the academic year 2023-2024, and activate oversight and follow-up mechanisms to monitor the progress of the educational process in preparation for evaluating the experience, she emphasized, outlining that the ministry will expand the project to encompass different kindergartens based on success indicators.

She confirmed that education’s sources have been completed for this stage in cooperation with teachers and educators operating in the field by utilizing their field expertise, as well as engaging them in preparing this project.

Source: Qatar News Agency

University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) in collaboration with Qatar Cancer Society organized an international conference on “Technological Innovations for Cancer Screening and Prevention”. The conference saw participation of scientists and researchers from local and international academic institutions and organizations including the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The event focused on shaping the future of cancer prevention and screening through technology. The main objectives were to identify priority technologies in cancer prevention and screening relevant to the Qatar context and understand best practices for the adoption of relevant emerging technologies in multidisciplinary and multisector approaches.

The event also aimed at recognizing technological solutions to overcome challenges of cancer risk reduction and screening based on insights from the community and people living with cancer. The conference focused as well on collaborations for cancer prevention and screening research, identifying priority research areas, and submitting policy recommendations to inform policymakers involved in the implementation of Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026.

In his welcome address President of UDST Dr. Salem Al Naemi said: “This conference is a culmination of a monthly series of cancer talks that began a little more than a year ago in collaboration with Qatar Cancer Society. As the first applied University in Qatar, we believe in the importance of harnessing applied science and technology to unlock new possibilities and better serve humankind. The fight against cancer is not an easy battle, but the presence of the experts with us today shows a great commitment to collaborate and help in cancer detection and prevention. The College of Health Sciences at UDST is constantly engaging in research and working on developing a competent and confident healthcare workforce that is person-centered, and prepared to integrate an interprofessional team and collaborate to meet the needs of the Healthcare sector and support the National Health Strategy and the National Cancer Care Strategy. I am quite confident that together, we will be able to tackle the multiple facets of Technology in the health sector and play a critical role in the creation of technological advancements that will ultimately improve the patients experience of care and contribute to saving lives.” For his part, Founder and Chairman of Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) HE Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al-Thani appreciated the University of Doha for Science and Technologys efforts in the health sector expressing hope that this cooperation would be the first building block for future partnerships that benefit all members of society, especially those living with the disease.

His Excellency went on saying: “The cooperation reflects QCS and University of Doha for Science and Technology in community service and effective partnership that contributes to achieving goals that are in the interest of all, especially since the cancer control issue requires concerted efforts to confront the disease,” His Excellency indicated that cooperation between the parties provides an opportunity to build close partnerships to spread awareness and scientific research, and professional development in the field of cancer, as well as support, empower and advocate for people living with the disease and contribute to the provision of health and humanitarian services to cancer patients. The organizations cooperate, affirming the charity’s vision to make Qatar a cancer prevention and control leader.

The conference discussions covered many topics such as the technological innovations within the National Breast Cancer Screening Program, the evaluation of artificial intelligence-based devices for cervical cancer early detection, the serum, plasma, and saliva biomarkers for head and neck cancer, reduction of cancer recurrence, reducing cancer risk in the environment, genetic testing for cancer prevention, mobile cancer screening experiences in Oman, knowledge attitude and perceived barriers regarding cancer screening and risks and the role of UDST in building capacity for cancer risk reduction and screening through technology.

The event saw as well a panel discussion on lung cancer screening challenges in Qatar.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The Orthopedic Department at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is set to operate with the system of evening clinics at Bone and Joint Centre starting from Sunday four times in a week.

In a statement, the HMC clarified that the evening clinics aim to provide an additional storage capacity to fulfill the increasing demand for orthopedic services and reduce visitors’ long waiting for appointments through Bone and Joint Centre.

The evening services will be offered from Sunday to Wednesday every week starting from 3 pm until 7 pm, the department pointed out, adding that HMC decided to operate 22 new evening clinics at Bone and Joint Centre by dedicating four clinics to testing in order to serve the fractures and general bone cases.

The new clinics will cover all sub-specialties in orthopedics department, including spine, hip, knee, shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as orthopedic surgery, pediatric orthopedics, foot and ankle traumas.

The evening clinics are scheduled to primarily serve the new patients, post-operative cases, post-MRI scans, fractures and urgent cases, while follow-up appointments will be in the morning period only.

The HMC initiated the operation of evening clinics on May 1, 2023, at the medical care center, Ophthalmology, ENT, urology, audiology clinic, and orthopedics.

The corporation called on the public to utilize the HMC Customer Service Center’s help line Nesma’ak 16060, which offers services around the clock during the whole week, as patients can manage their upcoming appointments in the HMC’s facilities by either booking an appointment, or change and cancel the appointments.

Source: Qatar News Agency