Qatar Career Fair's inaugural forum provides effective career guidance for Qatari youth
Qatar Career Fair (QCF), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), held its inaugural Qatar Career Forumat the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) with more than 150 present.
The Forum focused on the current practices and concerns of career guidance in Qatar. Experts shared insight on the best methods for assisting Qatari youth between the ages of 16 and 26 about their career guidance, as well as the recommended strategies needed for improving current career development programmes.
The Forum is part of QCF’s continued efforts in supporting Qatar Foundation on its mission to support the growth and development of the country by unlocking human potential through a variety of projects and programmes; ultimately equipping young people with the desired skills and motivation for their future careers.
An ideal platform was provided at the event for policy and decision makers, human development professionals, researchers, career counsellors, and key career guidance stakeholders in Qatar, as well as Qatari parents and youth to meet and share expertise on the subject.
Commenting on the event, Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori, Director of QCF, said: “The State of Qatar’s advancement is highly dependent on its people. For this reason, investing in human capital is essential for sustainable economic development. As we undergo a massive education boom, appropriate career guidance and placement is required to ensure that youths are pursuing the right career paths, in which they can excel and play a substantial role in Qatar’s sustainability. We are very optimistic that this Forum will contribute greatly to establishing a more efficient and effective system for career guidance; thanks to the help of experts and careful planning.”
The participating experts and specialists of the Forum were divided into four focus groups that represented education, training, and human capital development sectors in Qatar, as well as Qatari parents and students.
The first focus group, made up of career guidance decision makers, policy makers and researchers in the private, public and mixed sectors of the Qatari economy, was led by Dr. Khalid Mohamed Al Horr, Director of Higher Education Institute, Supreme Education Council; and was moderated by Dr. Mohammad Abul-Ola, Career Counselor and General Manager of Integral Training and Development Company.
The second focus group of career guidance practitioners was led by Dr. Khalid Mohamed Al Khanji, Vice President of Student Affairs, HBKU; and moderated by Mr. Adam Ahmed Al Saadi, Director of Career Development Center, HBKU.
The third and extremely important focus group, which consisted of Qatari parents and youth,represented the segment of the Qatari population thataffected directly by the decisions taken by career planning and development. They were led by Dr. Maryam Abdulla Al Ali, Founder and CEO, Draw Your Way Consulting and Training Center; and moderated by Dr. Aziza Ahmad Al-Saadi, Director of Education and Training Sector Strategy, Supreme Education Council.
The fourth focus group of career guidance knowledge exchange, which included representatives of international career guidance providers, discussed experiences relevant to the situation in Qatar, and presented case studies from which lessons can be derived. This group was led by Ms. Zamila Bunglawala, Fellow, University of Manchester and former British Government Policy Advisor; and moderated by Dr. Kholode Al Obaidli, Vice President of National Talent Management, Human Resources Division, Qatar Airways.
Each focus group gave an interactive presentation to discuss the current career guidance practices in Qatar as well as the challenges and how to overcome them. In addition, the Forum also shed light on how certain latest techniques could facilitate career guidance and development in Qatar, how and where to invest in areas that need improvement, what the most effective methods were and how to engage organisations with the youth across Qatar.
A validation session to review and validate the results of Qatar Career Forum 2015 will be held on Thursday 14 May 2015 at the Hamad bin Khalifa University Student Center, Education City.
In his response to a question asked during the opening of the Forum, Dr Khaled Al-Horr, Director of Higher Education Institute, Supreme Education Council, said: “The Supreme Education Council (SEC) has taken on the great responsibility of providing career guidance to students right after primary school, which is a crossroads period in deciding how to further their education and pursue a career.”
He further added: “Through its various bodies: the Education Institute, Evaluation Institute and Higher Education Institute as well as schools, the SEC aims to prepare students to make the right decision for their future, whether pursuing a higher education or a career, or choosing the path and specialisation best fit for their skills, interests and capabilities.”
Dr Khalid Mohamed Al Khanji, Vice President of Student Affairs at Hamad bin Khalifa University, also commented: “The purpose of career guidance practices at universities is to provide a suitable setting for students to make right decisions. Thanks to the special programmes and measurement tools that help recognise their skills, interests, strengths and weaknesses, as well as provide useful information about the labour market and training programmes.”
QCF’s aim for the Forum was to bring together diverse stakeholders in the State of Qatar within a framework to use locally available career guidance resources in the most effective way, encourage Qatar’s continuity and progression, as well as identify current potential gaps in career guidance practices and suggest ways forward.
For more information about QCF, please visit: www.qatarcareerfair.com.qa
ENDS
Qatar Career Fair
Qatar Career Fair is one of the centres operating under the auspices of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. The goal of the centre is to develop and implement a number of programmes and initiatives that aim to spread career awareness and establish a career culture in society. It also seeks to achieve reassurance to Qatari citizens through career development, which would lead to utilising their capabilities and skills in a competent and efficient way in different work sectors of the country. Moreover, it also aims to create an atmosphere of career awareness as well as skills and capabilities development amongst students and graduates by enabling them to wisely plan for their future career paths, especially to select their areas of specialisation and the careers which are most suitable for their qualifications and capabilities.
Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF) is a private, non-profit organisation that is supporting Qatar on its journey from carbon economy to knowledge economy by unlocking human potential, for the benefit of not only Qatar, but the world. Qatar Foundation was co-founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. QF’s work encompasses education, research and community development. World-class universities are brought to Qatar to help create an education sector in which young people can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge economy. At the same time, QF builds Qatar's innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercialising solutions through key sciences. The Foundation also works to foster a progressive society while enhancing cultural life, protecting Qatar’s heritage and addressing immediate social needs in the community.
