HH Sheikha Moza leads QF’s International Day of Education celebrations
Qatar Foundation (QF) Chairperson HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser attended its International Day of Education event, held under the theme ‘Education is Everyone's Responsibility,’ at the Qatar National Convention Centre on Thursday.
Sheikha Moza attended the opening session of the QF celebration event, titled ‘Protecting the Arabic Language is a Social Responsibility.’
“Today, I participated in Qatar Foundation’s celebration of International Day of Education. I was delighted to observe initiatives that elevate the status of the Arabic language in education. Protecting the Arabic language is a responsibility that falls on all of us, starting with families and schools,” Sheikha Moza wrote on her Instagram handle.
Jordan’s Royal Scientific Society President HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, QF’s Vice Chairperson and CEO Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Hariri Foundation President Bahia Hariri, as well as numerous ministers and guests attended the session.
The panel featured experts including Hadeel Al Abbasi, education, leadership, and Arabic language lecturer; Dr. Laila Familiar, a lecturer in the Arabic language for non-native speakers; Amal Farah, a children’s writer and educational expert; and Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at QFs Pre-University Education Sheikha Noof Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani.
Al Abbasi emphasized innovative approaches to promoting the use of Arabic language and tackling the challenges involved in enhancing its influence within Arab society.
Dr. Familiar spoke about how the creation of new educational tools can contribute to enhancing methods of teaching Arabic and strengthening its role in education. She also highlighted the importance of spoken Arabic in helping children connect with classical Arabic, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the language.
Meanwhile, Farah shared insights on the role of children’s literature in building cultural identity among younger generations, emphasizing the essential values that should be embedded in children’s literature to enhance the Arabic language’s status.
Sheikha Noof highlighted the importance of enhancing the status of Arabic language in international educational curricula, emphasizing its pivotal role in reinforcing cultural and linguistic identity.
She pointed out the necessity of adopting Arabic as a core element in education, contributing to raising awareness of its significance in preserving national identity and enhancing its global presence.
During her remarks, Sheikha Noof announced the launch of a strategic partnership between Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education and QF under the ‘Rasekh’ initiative.
She explained that it aimed to support Arabic language education within international curricula, and that the partnership focuses on designing innovative tools and educational programs to serve as a primary resource for international and local educators, providing advanced resources that help balance international curricula with local context.
She explained the initiative was a response to the challenges facing the Arabic language on a global scale.
“This is a step to promote Arabic not only as a means of communication, but also as a bridge to science and knowledge, reflecting its civilizational and humanistic contributions,” she said.
Sheikha Noof emphasized that the partnership represents a strategic step towards localizing education in Qatar, with a focus on integrating international curricula into the local environment to ensure their relevance to students’ realities.
“Our goal is to achieve an ideal balance between global and local perspectives, enriching students’ experiences and strengthening their connection to their culture,” she said.
She also recognized 10 impactful innovations from the ‘Spotlight on Qatar’ competition, a collaborative initiative between QF and the global educational organization HundrED.
Another session saw QF launch its ‘Lets Speak Arabic’ campaign, aimed at encouraging students, families, and school stakeholders to integrate the Arabic language into their daily lives and promoting its lasting significance in the community.
The discussion emphasized the significance of preserving the Arabic language as a cornerstone of cultural and social identity, and its role in upholding values, traditions, and ideas.
Director of Partnerships at QF’s Pre-University Education Maryam Al Hajri emphasized the campaign’s focus on the crucial role of school administrations and teachers in promoting the use of Arabic language, both inside and outside the classroom.
She said the initiative inspires students to confidently and proudly express themselves in Arabic, celebrating the depth and richness of their linguistic heritage.
“Recognizing the importance of collaborative efforts, the campaign also calls on parents to actively support their children in strengthening their connection to their mother tongue, whether through classical Arabic or local dialects, reinforcing the language as a cornerstone of their identity,” she said.
“We invite schools and educational institutions to actively contribute to the campaign’s success by organizing creative activities and events that inspire students to engage with the Arabic language in dynamic and enjoyable ways, enhancing their skills and enthusiasm,” she said.
The International Day of Education, observed annually on January 24, highlights education as both a basic human right and a collective responsibility, encouraging active contributions to enhancing the quality of education.
A series of discussions, workshops, and activities were held during the day, including an interactive exhibition showcasing innovative educational projects.
Alongside the main event, the Education Development Institute, part of QF’s Pre-University Education, hosted a full-day program featuring experts who explored topics such as bilingual education, balancing mother tongue usage, and bridging the gap between local and global perspectives in international programs, underscoring their critical role in education.
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