Qatar National Library Explores History of Ancient Moroccan Libraries
Library hosts study day to investigate the evolution of Moroccan libraries as part of the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture The history of ancient Moroccan libraries was the focus of a study day organized by Qatar National Library as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture celebrations. Titled “The Ancient Libraries of Morocco: From Preserving Manuscripts to Beacons of Knowledge,” the event traced the founding and evolution of Moroccan libraries, highlighting the key role they played in facilitating knowledge exchange both locally and overseas. The study day brought together Dr. Al-Khayali Abdelmajid, Head of Human Resources, Finance, and Scientific Research at the Hassania Library in Rabat, along with Dr. Mustafa Al-Tubi, Head of the Research Team on Moroccan Manuscript Heritage at Ibn Zohr University, and Abdelfattah Boukchouf, Director of the Qaraouiyine Library in Fez. Participants discussed how ancient libraries facilitated the circulation of texts within intellectual circles, serving as communication bridges between the local community and scientific institutions overseas. The discussions also touched on the future role of libraries in an increasingly digital world, reflecting on the challenges and successes that Moroccan institutions have experienced throughout their history. Dr. Moez Dridi, Senior Archivist at Qatar National Library, who moderated the study day, said the event demonstrates the Library’s commitment to promoting Arab heritage and providing insights into the history of the region. “Today’s event reflects our belief in the importance of preserving our collective Arab heritage and shedding light on the key role that libraries across the region played in disseminating knowledge and bringing people together,” he noted.
Hospitality Qatar kicks off at DECC with over 120 exhibitors from 20 countries
Under the Patronage of H.E. Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Acting Director of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, inaugurated the ninth edition of Hospitality Qatar. Organized by IFP Qatar, the event is being held from November 12 to 14, 2024, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Consultant to HE The Minister at Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Hamid Bentahar, President of the National Confederation of Tourism in Morocco, along with a host of prominent local and foreign dignitaries, including ambassadors from participating countries and leaders of international delegations. In a speech at the opening ceremony, Al Jaber stated: “At Qatar Tourism, we are proud to be the strategic partner of Hospitality Qatar 2024, a unique platform that showcases the latest advancements and innovations in such vital sectors. This partnership reaffirms our unwavering commitment to supporting and strengthening Qatar’s hospitality and tourism industry.” Al Jaber added: “The significant development Qatar has seen in infrastructure and hospitality facilities is no coincidence; it is the result of a strategic vision aimed at positioning Qatar as a leading tourist destination. Hosting events like this reflects Qatar’s commitment to improving and developing the tourism sector as a cornerstone of economic diversification, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”Following the opening ceremony, Qatar Tourism and IFP Qatar hosted a special awards ceremony titled ‘Ambassadors of Excellence’ to honor seniors from different departments in Qatar’s hotel industry for their outstanding service in 2024. Honorees received certificates of appreciation and award plaques from Mr. Omar Al Jaber. Reflecting on the success of the first day, Haidar Mshaimesh, General Manager of IFP Qatar, said: “Hospitality Qatar is the country’s leading international trade exhibition and conference for hospitality and hotels, restaurants and cafes (HORECA). Organized in partnership with Qatar Tourism, the expo has attracted over 120 suppliers and service providers across the hospitality, HORECA, tourism, and food and beverage (F&B) sectors from more than 20 countries. It also brings together investors and hospitality pioneers in Qatar to explore investment opportunities in the country’s dynamic hospitality and tourism industry.” He added: “This year, we proudly highlight the participation of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the event’s government partner, with a dedicated pavilion hosting a high-level Moroccan delegation as part of the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture. Led by Hamid Bentahar, President of the National Confederation of Tourism in Morocco, the delegation includes senior officials representing Morocco’s public and private hospitality and tourism industry.” Mshaimesh highlighted that: “Hospitality Qatar has steadily expanded its scope and offerings over the years to meet the increasing demand of the hospitality sector both locally and globally. This year’s agenda includes industry conferences, training sessions, and competitions tailored for HORECA, in addition to the B2B Matchmaking Program that connects industry leaders with potential buyers and investors, providing a unique platform to showcase products and services as well as forming new partnerships.” He noted: “This year’s event features a comprehensive lineup of activities, including the Salon Culinaire competitions, where over 175 chefs from 35 top hotels in Doha will compete across 20 different categories, presenting innovative recipes from various cuisines. For the first time, the exhibition will also host live cooking demonstrations by renowned culinary experts from France, Morocco, and beyond.” Hospitality Qatar provides the ideal platform for all exhibitors, whether they are producers, suppliers, or industry professionals to reach their target markets while fostering growth within the sector. The event covers all segments of the industry, including hotels and facilities, interiors and design, leisure and entertainment, travel and tourism, resorts and landscaping, cutting-edge hospitality tech and supplies for HORECA, eco-friendly hotel systems and solutions, and F&B industry, among others. Hospitality Qatar offers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the latest innovations, streamline business ventures, enhance networking opportunities, and enable suppliers in the hospitality industry to connect with key decision-makers and buyers from top hotels, restaurants, and F&B outlets in Qatar. As such, it serves as a powerful catalyst for the country’s rapidly expanding hospitality sector, which is thriving amid the current tourism boom. This surge has positively impacted the hospitality sector and a range of related industries, as Qatar has achieved a new record in visitor arrivals, reaching 4 million visitors in the first nine months of this year. This figure matches the total number of visitors recorded throughout all of 2023, marking a 26% year-on-year growth compared to the same period in 2023. The latest report from Alpen Capital, a leading investment banking advisory firm, forecasts that Qatar’s hospitality industry revenue will witness the highest growth rate in the GCC. According to the report, the sector’s revenue is expected to surge from QAR 3.64bn in 2024 to QAR 4.36bn in 2026, reaching QAR 5.46bn by 2028. This remarkable growth is largely driven by Qatar’s visa facilitation measures, including visas on arrival to citizens from about 102 countries. In addition, Qatar has simplified its visa procedure by re-launching the Hayya platform in 2023, which serves as a centralized platform for all tourist and corporate visas. The country has also been developing a wide range of tourist attractions, including various cultural and modern landmarks, while consistently hosting major international events all year round. Qatar’s hospitality sector is reaping the benefits of the successful strategy implemented by Qatar Tourism, which aims to attract visitors from 15 key source markets worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, India, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Australia, South Africa, Russia, Turkey, Iran, and the GCC countries. The strategy also focuses on expanding the reach of international representative offices, launching regional and international marketing campaigns, curating a robust calendar of world-class events year-round, strengthening the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector by leveraging the country’s modern infrastructure, and developing the hospitality sector by establishing new leisure destinations and districts, launching luxury shopping centres and investing in
WCM-Q conference discusses impact of new technologies on medical education
Doha – November 13, 2024: A conference hosted by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) convened experts in medical education from across the globe to examine the potential for new technologies to enhance the way medicine is taught. The two-day Medical Education Technology Conference (METC) presented thought leaders in medical education from institutions in Qatar, Switzerland, the US and the UK to explore the potential for technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) to provide personalized learning and immersive training tools for healthcare practitioners. The conference also examined the intersection between technology and humanistic science, and explored ways to ensure that medical education programs cultivate empathy, compassion and creativity in future physicians in the era of AI and rapid technological change. The conference further discussed the impact of emerging technologies on medical ethics and the challenges of ensuring patient privacy, informed consent, and inclusivity in the metaverse. Other features of the conference were two panel discussions, a poster presentation of research projects, Q&A sessions, a series of expert-led presentations, and opportunities for attendees to gain hands-on interactive experiences with technologies such as immersive content creation and VR simulations. Subjects covered by speakers on the first day of the event included precision education and lifelong learning in medicine, AI and medical ethics in education, designing the next generation of learning delivery systems, medical ethics in the metaverse, and the integration of AI into medical education programs to optimize learning outcomes and clinical training. The second day featured presentations on diversity and inclusion in the metaverse, the intersection between art and medicine, and the role of social determinants of health in the age of AI. The second day also offered five workshops, which covered strategies for designing inclusive and accessible virtual environments for patients and healthcare professionals, telling stories in 3D virtual environments using cutting-edge digital tools, utilizing technology to enhance empathy among caregivers, how to create immersive 360-degree videos, and developments in AI-based simulation technologies. One of the many highlights of the event was an artistic performance given by renowned artist and director Abdulaziz Yousef which blended art, AI and virtual reality technology. The event drew participants from all over the world, with healthcare professionals, educators and students in attendance from Qatar, the wider MENA region, the US, Europe, India and elsewhere. Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, vice dean for academic and curricular affairs said: “This is a truly exciting time in medicine and medical education as cutting-edge technologies like AI, VR and AR are already revolutionizing the way medicine is practiced, taught and experienced. This conference was a fantastic way to explore how these new technologies can best be implemented to enhance medical education and patient care while simultaneously protecting the rights and safety of patients.” Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCM-Q, said: “This conference has done a marvelous job of placing new technologies within the context of the humanistic art and science of medicine. Our guiding principle at WCM-Q is to promote the use of emergent technologies to advance world-class healthcare, while also ensuring that the foundational caregiving attributes of compassion, empathy, humility and responsibility to one’s patients are preserved and enhanced by these new developments.” The conference was accredited locally by the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Healthcare Professions – Accreditation Section and internationally by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
International Padel Federation launches Ryder Cup and Laver Cup of padel with new Inter-Continental Cup competition set for 2025 season
11 November 2024 – The International Padel Federation (FIP) today announced the launch of an inaugural new inter-continental cup competition – the equivalent of tennis’ Laver Cup and golf’s Ryder Cup – which will take place biennially, seeing top and emerging players from the Amercias compete against Europe in some of the most compelling venues of sport, starting with the first competition in 2025. Following the record-breaking success of the 2024 FIP World Championship earlier this month, the new inter-continental cup – yet to be formally named – will showcase the best global talent and provide new opportunities for players from emerging padel nations to join the elite level of the world’s fastest growing sport. The new competition also signals padel’s readiness for inclusion in the Olympics, as the sport’s rapid democratization and professionalization under FIP aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s values and support for globally diverse and modern sports that help develop the pyramid. The new format will also be organized with the support of FIP’s continental federations Padel Europe and Padel America. A men’s and women’s competition will be run simultaneously – with a record-breaking prize purse of €700,000 and equal prize money distributed across the winning men’s and women’s teams. These unprecedented winnings reflect a continued commitment by the FIP to grow and develop the sport internationally, continually raising the profile of professional padel. Hosting will rotate between venues across the Americas and Europe, bringing padel to both established and emerging fan bases in incredible locations across the globe. Tenders for locations, branding, promoters and partnerships starting shortly. Commenting on new competition, the President of the International Padel Federation, Luigi Carraro, who was unanimously re-elected for a new Presidential mandate in October 2024, stated: “The new inter-continental cup competition responds to the incredible worldwide popularity of padel and an unprecedented demand for new competition formats from both established and emerging padel fanbases, players and partners. The overwhelming success of the FIP Padel World Championships 2024 and the Premier Padel professional tour demonstrate how padel has rapidly become a major international sport and innovations such as the new inter-continental competition are key to continually driving the development of padel – especially in new regions of the world. We cannot wait to realize this competition next year, and already know of enormous demand to host and partner in padel’s equivalent of the Laver and Ryder Cup, which will continue the globalization of padel as we aspire to form part of the Olympic Movement as soon as possible.”
EXPERIENCE EXCEPTIONAL The All-New INFINITI QX80 makes its Middle East Debut
Doha, Qatar –INFINITI Middle East recently has marked the regional debut of the all-new 2025 QX80 with an exclusive Dubai event, ushering in the first model of the brand’s New Dawn. The evening celebrated the luxury SUV’s impressive evolution, fusing innovative technology, Japanese artistry and craftsmanship, in an immersive sensorial journey. The attendees experienced a reveal that embodied INFINITI’s modern Japanese luxury aesthetic. The all-new INFINITI QX80 stood at the heart of the experience, drawing admiration for its blend of bold design and sophisticated technology. The evening culminated in a rooftop celebration marking the brand’s 35th Anniversary. “The Middle East is one of INFINITI’s most important regions, and with the all-new QX80, we have introduced a flagship SUV that is as distinguished in design as it is in performance,” said Thierry Sabbagh, Divisional Vice President, President Middle East, KSA and CIS – Nissan, INFINITI. “More than that, INFINITI Middle East is proud to reinforce the brand’s human-centric mindset with an elevated ownership experience, including the enhanced MyINFINITI mobile application and an upcoming membership program, allowing our customers to truly experience exceptional.” The all-new INFINITI QX80 redefines the luxury SUV experience with a bold exterior, highlighted by aerodynamic lines, dark chrome detailing, and a two-tone roof that exudes confidence, underscoring INFINITI’s evolved design language, Artistry in Motion. Crafted to capture attention, the QX80’s chassis and suspension deliver both rugged durability and refined elegance for all on board. New 22-inch wheels and an advanced electronic air suspension system enhance the ride by adapting to road conditions for optimal comfort and control. Inside, the QX80’s cabin offers ultimate comfort paired with intuitive technology. Semi-aniline leather seats and fine open pore ash wood with metal inlays emphasize a commitment to luxurious craftsmanship. INFINITI InTouch with Google built-in provides effortless access to navigation and entertainment on the go. Additionally, ProPILOT Assist 1.0 supports the driver during extended journeys by combining intelligent cruise control with steering assistance for added comfort and peace of mind. The cabin also introduces Biometric Cooling, providing personalized comfort for passengers through advanced climate control technology. Supporting driver awareness, the 2025 QX80 incorporates advanced camera technology, offering greater visibility in even the trickiest situations. A front-wide view camera provides an expansive display of the sides of the vehicle across the dual 14.3-inch screens, useful for navigating tight urban spaces and “seeing” around obstacles. The Invisible Hood View utilizes footage from exterior cameras to project an image directly in front of the vehicle onto the in-car displays, making hard to see obstacles easier to identify and ensuring tight parking missions are smoother. The new 3D Enhanced AroundView® Monitor with Moving Object Detection provides multiple selectable angles, creating a natural, 3D perspective of surroundings, particularly useful when parking or maneuvering in close quarters. Additionally, the enhanced Smart Rear View Mirror has been optimized for low-light performance, delivering crisp, clear visuals even in dim conditions. Mastering the art of light, the all-new QX80 features the INFINITI Light Path, creating a unique illumination experience. As owners approach the locked vehicle with their key fob, the INFINITI emblem illuminates in the front grille, followed by individual elements in the Daylight Running Lamps. The performance culminates with the INFINITI Light Path projection on the ground featuring the INFINITI wordmark and wing-like geometric shapes. Ambient lighting within the cabin is customizable with 64 colors, allowing passengers to personalize their environment to suit any mood or occasion. Albert Khreiche, Managing Director of INFINITI Middle East, added, “The all-new INFINITI QX80 represents our dedication to crafting vehicles that are not only luxurious but resonate deeply with our regional audience. This event is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences and products to our customers in the Middle East. This vehicle outlines what the future has in store for us and truly marks a New Dawn for INFINITI.” Mr. Nassim Mourani, General Manager of the Automotive Group at Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co., said, “We are thrilled to introduce the all-new 2025 INFINITI QX80 to the Qatari market. This exceptional luxury SUV combines bold design with cutting-edge technology, offering a driving experience that is both powerful and refined. The QX80’s unique fusion of Japanese craftsmanship and innovative features perfectly aligns with the discerning tastes of our customers in Qatar. As the authorized distributor of INFINITI, we are proud to deliver a vehicle that not only sets new standards in luxury, but also complements the ambitions and lifestyle of the Qatari elite. At Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co., we remain committed to providing our customers with world-class vehicles that offer unparalleled performance and sophistication.” Powering the QX80 is a newly developed VR35DDTT 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque—a 50-horsepower increase over the previous engine. This high-output V6 ensures greater power and efficiency for urban drives and off-road adventures. Paired to INFINITI’s latest 9-speed automatic transmission, the QX80 offers a harmonious blend of responsivity and economy. A distinctive feature of the QX80 is its integration of Klipsch® premium audio system, a first in the full-size luxury SUV segment. The 24-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere system includes Individual Audio functionality, focusing sound elements like navigation, music, or calls directly to one or both front seats for a personalized audio experience. In line with regional preferences, the all-new QX80 also comes with a rear differential lock for enhanced off-road capability, ensuring superior performance across multiple terrains. INFINITI offers the QX80 in SENSORY and AUTOGRAPH grades, each crafted to elevate luxury and technology in its own way. The SENSORY grade is designed with high-end amenities focused on comfort and advanced technology, ideal for drivers seeking sophistication and convenience. The AUTOGRAPH grade, positioned as the top tier, features exclusive design elements and bespoke finishes that epitomize luxury, creating a truly unique environment for discerning drivers. The all-new INFINITI QX80 reaffirms INFINITI’s commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and exceptional design for Middle Eastern markets, marking the start of a new era in luxury SUVs. It is targeted to arrive at
