DOHA: With the aim of boosting Qatar's ongoing nationalisation drive, the second edition of the Qatar Career Fair opened here yesterday. The Heir Apparent, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, inaugurated the fair at the Doha International Exhibition Center.
The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials from various ministries and organisations. A documentary on Qatar's development was screened prior to the opening. The Heir Apparent toured the pavilions and was briefed about the employment plans and strategies for achieving the goals of Qatar Vision 2030, one of the main objectives of the fair.
The five-day event aims to offer Qatari students recruitment and training opportunities in order to enhance their abilities and strengthen their skills, enabling them to meet the challenges of national development.
The fair has been organised by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Develop-ment, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar University and the Ministry of Labour.
Some 115 exhibitors from the private and government sectors, from the fields of energy, communications, tourism, education, banking, sports and media, are taking part in the fair. Exhibitors from the same field have been grouped in 'villages' at the fair. These companies will jointly provide job opportunities and training and development programmes for Qatari students and graduates, to help meet the needs of the labour market.
Many events will be held on the sidelines of the fair from today, including a programme that sheds light on Qataris who have achieved the highest levels of success with patience, perseverance and determination. Qatar's traditional professions and professions that have a profound effect on the local community will also be showcased at the fair.
The fair also includes various competitions for the public. A photography contest with the theme, 'People at Work', showcases a variety of professions. The photos in the competition are displayed in the lobby of the exhibition centre. A special committee will choose three winners with another winner to be picked by the public through the QCF 2009 website.
A part from this, a competition for the best student reporter, a typing competition and two daily draws will be held.
By Huda N V
© The Peninsula 2009
