QF Holds Workshops On Food Safety And Sustainability

Doha, Qatar 5 October 2015

Qatar Foundation For Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is currently in Milan, Italy for the global Expo Milano 2015 exhibition. QF is hosting a variety of workshops as part of the finale at the Qatar pavilion; ranked among the top 10 most visited in the exhibition of 140 countries.

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q), one of QF's partner universities, alongside other QF members Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) and The Qur'anic Botanic Garden (QBG), were invited to take part in the Expo to shed further light on the theme of 'Seeding Sustainability Innovative Solutions for Food Security' as part of QF's on-going mission to build strong and sustainable communities.  

Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, President of QF, said it is an honour for the Foundation to be involved in Expo Milano 2015, saying: "Our commitment to sustainability is central to everything across Qatar Foundation. In Qatar we live in a desert environment where everyday necessities like water and food supply can never be taken for granted.  The environment has always been hugely important to us and we recognise our responsibility to find sustainable solutions while protecting the environment for generations to come."

Since its inception in 1995, QF has been at the forefront of helping the State of Qatar achieve its 2030 National Vision of moving from a carbon-based economy to a knowledge-based economy and the three entities will showcase some of their research and achievements aligned to this. WCMC-Q, known for its breakthrough research on the possibility of a non-invasive test for diabetes, will present on diabetes and child health.

Other QF activities at the Expo include a presentation from QGBC, a non-profit organisation providing leadership in conducting environmentally sustainable practices for green building design and development. The presentation focuses on sustainability practices during construction in Qatar. Meanwhile, QBG, the world's only Quranic botanical gardens, will deliver a talk about botanical terms from the Holy Qur'an and Hadith.

In addition to workshops on 'nutrition, sustainability, modern lifestyle and organic super food', visitors also have the opportunity to watch healthy cooking demonstrations, and children are invited to participate in activities including planting seeds, colouring, and painting, among others.

Qatar has been involved in the six-month-long exhibition in a bid to highlight its best technology and practices as well as providing a concrete solution to the vital need of guaranteeing healthy, safe and sufficient food for everyone.

The Qatar pavilion has had more than two million visitors to date; placing it on the top ten list of most visited exhibitors. It has been strategically designed to resemble a traditional Arabian market, or souq, and covers 2,450 square metres with a roof top garden. It is fully equipped with innovative technology providing an interactive experience with hologram ambassadors, interactive displays and views and images of Qatar.

Daily activities at the Qatar pavilion include Arabic music performances, art exhibitions, women's beauty and art for children. Qatari cuisine is also on offer at the Sidra restaurant and live cooking shows will take place every weekend this month.  

Expo Milano 2015 runs until 31 October.

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About QF:

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. Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, QF is chaired by 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.

For a complete list of QF's initiatives and projects, visit www.qf.org.qa

About Expo Milano 2015:
Expo Milano 2015 is the Universal Exhibition that Milan, Italy, is hosting from May 1 to October 31, 2015. Over this six-month period, Milan becomes a global showcase where more than 140 participating countries show the best of their technology that offers a concrete answer to a vital need: being able to guarantee healthy, safe and sufficient food for everyone, while respecting the Planet and its equilibrium. In addition to the exhibitor nations, the Expo also involves international organizations, and expects to welcome over 20 million visitors to its 1.1 million square meters of exhibition area. A platform for the exchange of ideas and shared solutions on the theme of food, stimulating each country's creativity and promoting innovation for a sustainable future, Expo 2015 gives everyone the opportunity to find out about, and taste, the world's best dishes, while discovering the best of the agri-food and gastronomic traditions of each of the exhibitor countries.

© Press Release 2015