Alf Foundation launches new educational programme in Qatar

AlFaisal Without Borders (Alf) Foundation yesterday launched a new international educational programme, Destination ImagiNation (DI), in Qatar. The programme will boost Qatar’s status as a leader in education in the region, dedicated to the development and empowerment of the nation’s youth. Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to launch this effective and transformative programme.

Under the patronage of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani’s Alf Foundation, the programme will be piloted in Qatar’s schools and present the richness of Qatari culture to more than 10,000 children and students. It will ensure that the nation’s schoolchildren and students have a head start in life by empowering them to set goals for the future and help develop their self-esteem, self-motivation and communications skills.

At the same time, the programme aims to instil respect for other cultures and beliefs and the values of Islamic teaching, in alignment with the aims of Qatar National Vision 2030 and Alf Foundation.

The DI programme takes place in 27 countries around the world with 125,000 schoolchildren and students taking part each year and an alumni of 1.5mn to date. Schoolchildren and students participate through their schools and the programme operates like an extra-curricular activity. Teams of up to seven people choose a challenge from five themes - technical, scientific, fine arts, improvisation and service learning. Over a period of around three months, the teams meet up weekly out of school to work on their project and come up with creative solutions to the challenges they are given.

Teams will then compete to take part in the National Finals, which will take place in Doha in April 2014. Teams that complete their challenges and score 75% or more can qualify for the Global Finals in Nashville, Tennessee (US), in May 2014.

Schools piloting the programme in Qatar include Park House, Gulf English School, Compass International School, Newton International School Lagoona and Newton International School Barwa City, Khalifa Independent Secondary School for Boys and Noble International School.

Sheikh Faisal said, “Destination Imagination is a very effective educational programme with a proven track record around the world that will bring real benefits to our schoolchildren and students, equipping them with crucial skills to help them cope with today’s ever-changing world and become effective leaders and decision makers of tomorrow.”

Abdullatif Ali al-Yafei, general manager of Alf Foundation, said: “It is a great milestone for Qatar to launch Destination Imagination in our schools and we hope to be piloting this international programme for the wider Middle East.”

Alf Foundation executive director Ali Mar’e said, “It will not only help develop the potential of children and students in Qatar, but also develop and enhance their personal, social and educational skills to give them a real advantage in life.”

Renee Rainville-Gill, DI programme manager, said: “Destination Imagination can work wonders for students and schoolchildren. It awakens their sense of purpose and gives them the skills they need to steer their own destiny, while collaborating and communicating with
their peers.”

Gulf Times: http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/374197/alf-foundation-launches-new-educational-programme