Doha: Qatar National Bank (QNB), the country's leading financial institution, has extended scholarship support to The Learning Center School, a non-profit educational institution devoted to instructional, diagnostic and therapeutic services to students with academic problems.
As part of the support, QNB will sponsor eight scholarships totaling QR200,000 to students with academic difficulties, confirming the Bank's stellar commitment to Qatar's education community.
Mr. Majid Burhan Mahmoud, Assistant General Manager, Branches & Retail at QNB, handed over the Cheque to Dr. Anna Karola, TLCS Director, at a ceremony organised at the school. The presentation ceremony was attended by dignitaries and QNB officials.
TLCS, part of Qatar Foundation, provides a unique community service in Qatar, offering a one-of-its-kind education facility to accommodate youth in their teens who face unique academic challenges. By extending a special environment with above-average teaching support it successfully encourages them 'to be the best they can be'.
Talking about QNB's commitment to the social cause, Mr. Mahmoud said: "We are delighted to be providing financial assistance to aspiring TLCS youth who are determined to meet their highest potential despite unique challenges. Helping the students become the best is a privilege and QNB is honoured to have been invited to support such a worthy pursuit."
"We are extremely pleased to offer this scholarship programme for TLCS students, which is integral to our wish to see individuals in Qatar grow and develop themselves. The school is committed to the goal of positive, effective instruction and it is our endeavour to extend our support to such an initiative and assume responsibility toward achieving this goal," he added:
Thanking QNB for the gesture, Dr. Anna Karola said: "We appreciate the scholarship programme extended by QNB, which has carved a niche for itself as the leading bank in Qatar. This support will go a long way in helping us in our efforts to help students of average to above-average learning potential who face academic challenges."
The Learning Center School, located in Doha's Education City, provides support to both Qatari and non-Qatari youths. Each staff member at TLCS is selected on the basis of competence, compassion, dedication and, most importantly, a willingness to try, in the face of what sometimes feels like insurmountable odds. Ninety per cent of the students are Qataris.
Dr. Anna added: "We at TLCS believe that students can and will reach their fullest potential when provided with an appropriate educational environment. With support from organisations like QNB, I am confident that we will continue our forward march. QNB's support allows TLCS students the opportunity to succeed academically and personally and it allows the school to provide funding for new programmes."
TLCS, which believes in 'breaking through barriers' teaches the students to value their unique strengths and to learn how to develop their skills. It also serves to set new images for the way students who have academic challenges are viewed.
"Students realise they share the same problems as Cher, Tom Cruise, Albert Einstein, Ted Bramsen and others, who have realised that their uniqueness is their strength. We are taking the stigma away and teaching the pride of achievement and moving beyond self-perceived limitations. We teach the students the pride of 'breaking through barriers," Dr. Anna said:
The Learning Center School in Qatar, an international educational community, is a private, non-profit organisation founded in 1996 by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.
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About QNB
QNB was established in 1964 as the country's first Qatari-owned commercial bank. The ownership structure is split between the Government of Qatar (50%) and the private sector (50%). QNB has grown to become the largest bank in Qatar controlling assets representing approximately 50% of the total banking system. QNB has the largest distribution network in the country with 34 local branches and offices' two international branches in London and Paris and 73 ATM's. QNB provides a full range of commercial banking activities for individuals' corporate institutions and government entities and the Bank's scope of products' services and delivery channels across all disciplines is unrivalled.
QNB has the highest credit rating among Qatari banks from leading rating agencies including Moody's' Fitch and Capital Intelligence. QNB is among the top 10 regional banks by Shareholders' Equity' with a ranking of 7th among the largest GCC banks as per MEES survey in September 2004. Internationally' it is ranked as 77th among the Top 250 Emerging Market Banks as per Euromoney survey in August 2004. Additionally' QNB has been the recipient of the award "Best Bank in Qatar" from leading international financial publications including: The Banker' Euromoney and Global Finance. On 3rd June 2005' QNB received 'The Best Debt House' award from Euromoney magazine.
© Press Release 2005
