April
QF opened a new chapter in Qatar’s precision healthcare story; raised awareness, understanding, and acceptance of autism; launched a global drive to unearth sustainability solutions based on traditional knowledge – and honored the nation’s values-driven change-makers.
Precision Health
A Healthcare RevolutionPersonalized treatment, tailored to the specific needs of every person – it’s called precision health, and it has the potential to completely transform the way illnesses and disease are not just tackled, but prevented.
Qatar is positioning itself as a global pioneer in the field of precision health, with Qatar Foundation (QF) at the vanguard of this national effort. And in April came a landmark moment in the nation’s journey toward revolutionizing healthcare: the launch of Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI).
An umbrella institute bringing together existing strengths in health sciences and genomics within QF’s Qatar Biobank and Qatar Genome Programme, QPHI has been established to build on a decade of groundbreaking work by these two centers, and help accelerate the adoption of personalized healthcare in Qatar.
QPHI will support Qatar in delivering precision health by taking research findings from laboratories into clinics, where patients can directly benefit. It will unite precision health efforts across QF and Qatar, providing research-based evidence and information that reveals the effect of lifestyle, environment, and genetics on the country’s population.
Personalized treatment, tailored to the specific needs of every person – it’s called precision health, and it has the potential to completely transform the way illnesses and disease are not just tackled, but prevented.
Qatar is positioning itself as a global pioneer in the field of precision health, with Qatar Foundation (QF) at the vanguard of this national effort. And in April came a landmark moment in the nation’s journey toward revolutionizing healthcare: the launch of Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI).
An umbrella institute bringing together existing strengths in health sciences and genomics within QF’s Qatar Biobank and Qatar Genome Programme, QPHI has been established to build on a decade of groundbreaking work by these two centers, and help accelerate the adoption of personalized healthcare in Qatar.
QPHI will support Qatar in delivering precision health by taking research findings from laboratories into clinics, where patients can directly benefit. It will unite precision health efforts across QF and Qatar, providing research-based evidence and information that reveals the effect of lifestyle, environment, and genetics on the country’s population.
Qatar’s efforts have led to faster and more accurate diagnoses of multiple diseases for people from the region. QPHI is building on those successes and taking our knowledge forward to implement clinical solutions that will lead to a healthier future not only for our citizens, but for people around the world.
In the field of precision health, QPHI will:
- Identify key clinical focus areas that reflect the needs of Qatar
- Scale up precision medicine for use in clinical practice
- Establish a policy program to provide guidance and clarity in precision health
Precision Health
The Foundations of ImpactAs QPHI was officially launched, experts and leaders from across Qatar’s health sector explored how the foundations are being laid to allow personalized medicine to be brought into clinical use.
A panel discussion at Education City – attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation – also looked at how Qatar’s efforts to adopt precision health practices are being supported, and ways of enhancing cooperation and knowledge exchange within the healthcare field to bridge the gaps between research, practice, and clinical application.
And the QPHI launch also saw experts highlight how precision health is already having a positive impact on people’s lives in Qatar, reducing the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease. Genomic data from samples collected by QPHI’s Qatar Biobank has revealed mutations that cause heart disease in Qatari citizens, and the discovery of – and access to – this information is helping healthcare practitioners treat cardiovascular patients more effectively and in a targeted way.
“We’ve now surpassed 40,000 whole genomes being sequenced, and we’ve launched dozens of cutting-edge initiatives that allowed us to take our spot within the ‘Champions League’ of major global precision health projects,” said Dr. Wadha Al-Muftah, Senior Director of QPHI’s Qatar Genome Programme.
As QPHI was officially launched, experts and leaders from across Qatar’s health sector explored how the foundations are being laid to allow personalized medicine to be brought into clinical use.
A panel discussion at Education City – attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation – also looked at how Qatar’s efforts to adopt precision health practices are being supported, and ways of enhancing cooperation and knowledge exchange within the healthcare field to bridge the gaps between research, practice, and clinical application.
And the QPHI launch also saw experts highlight how precision health is already having a positive impact on people’s lives in Qatar, reducing the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease. Genomic data from samples collected by QPHI’s Qatar Biobank has revealed mutations that cause heart disease in Qatari citizens, and the discovery of – and access to – this information is helping healthcare practitioners treat cardiovascular patients more effectively and in a targeted way.
“We’ve now surpassed 40,000 whole genomes being sequenced, and we’ve launched dozens of cutting-edge initiatives that allowed us to take our spot within the ‘Champions League’ of major global precision health projects,” said Dr. Wadha Al-Muftah, Senior Director of QPHI’s Qatar Genome Programme.
Through cooperation with other scientific institutions, such as QPHI’s Qatar Biobank and Qatar Genome Programme, we are now treating the disease before it occurs through proactive measures.
Sustainability
Solutions Through TraditionsFor generations, vital knowledge about how to preserve the environment has been passed down – and in April, a new international prize was launched by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future to honor this practice, but also to promote its continuing value in addressing the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow.
The Earthna Prize will support projects and organizations that preserve, integrate, and adopt traditional knowledge and cultural heritage in tackling contemporary issues in the field of sustainability. With a prize pool of US$1 million, winners will use the prize to develop, continue, and scale up their work, as well as having a global platform to showcase their projects and seek opportunities for global collaborations.
As it was launched on International Earth Day, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, said: “The Earthna Prize is a call to honor and learn from the deep ecological wisdom of indigenous peoples.
“These invaluable traditions provide us with time-tested institutions and precepts that truly work.”
For generations, vital knowledge about how to preserve the environment has been passed down – and in April, a new international prize was launched by QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future to honor this practice, but also to promote its continuing value in addressing the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow.
The Earthna Prize will support projects and organizations that preserve, integrate, and adopt traditional knowledge and cultural heritage in tackling contemporary issues in the field of sustainability. With a prize pool of US$1 million, winners will use the prize to develop, continue, and scale up their work, as well as having a global platform to showcase their projects and seek opportunities for global collaborations.
As it was launched on International Earth Day, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, said: “The Earthna Prize is a call to honor and learn from the deep ecological wisdom of indigenous peoples.
“These invaluable traditions provide us with time-tested institutions and precepts that truly work.”
It goes beyond mere recognition – it’s about providing tangible support to initiatives that rescue ancestral wisdom and cultural heritage in the context of environmental sustainability.
The themes of the Earthna Prize are:
- Water resource management
- Food security
- Sustainable urbanism
- Land stewardship
Social Progress
The Value of ContributionDriven by values and inspired by the desire to contribute to their communities – this is what defines the recipients of QF’s annual Akhlaquna Awards.
Launched in 2017 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, the Akhlaquna initiative highlights the connection between ethics and knowledge, and reflects the intrinsic ties between virtuous traits and ethical behaviors, and how these are key to social progress and development.
Every year, individuals and projects that contribute to fostering positive change in society are recognized at the Akhlaquna Awards, with the 2024 edition – which saw Her Highness Sheikha Moza honor the winners – seeing, for the first time, entries for the Individual Contributions Award being received from across the Gulf region as well as within Qatar.
Among the winners of the Akhlaquna Youth Award – for school students who, through their projects and behaviors, positively impact their school and community – was 17-year-old Moza Abdulla Alfakhroo, also named as an Ethics Ambassador for Akhlaquna. “My ambition is to serve as a catalyst for change,” she said.
“I aim to inspire other young people to realize their potential for impact. I believe each one of us can contribute positively.”
Driven by values and inspired by the desire to contribute to their communities – this is what defines the recipients of QF’s annual Akhlaquna Awards.
Launched in 2017 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, the Akhlaquna initiative highlights the connection between ethics and knowledge, and reflects the intrinsic ties between virtuous traits and ethical behaviors, and how these are key to social progress and development.
Every year, individuals and projects that contribute to fostering positive change in society are recognized at the Akhlaquna Awards, with the 2024 edition – which saw Her Highness Sheikha Moza honor the winners – seeing, for the first time, entries for the Individual Contributions Award being received from across the Gulf region as well as within Qatar.
Among the winners of the Akhlaquna Youth Award – for school students who, through their projects and behaviors, positively impact their school and community – was 17-year-old Moza Abdulla Alfakhroo, also named as an Ethics Ambassador for Akhlaquna. “My ambition is to serve as a catalyst for change,” she said.
“I aim to inspire other young people to realize their potential for impact. I believe each one of us can contribute positively.”
The award inspires us to strive and contribute more. True success lies in witnessing the positive impact our projects have on society.
Social Progress
Awareness, Education, InclusionApril marked the 17th anniversary of World Autism Awareness Day – proposed by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, to the United Nations and unanimously approved – and throughout the month, community-focused events and activities at QF aimed to promote understanding of autism, acceptance, and inclusion.
Among them was QF’s annual Autism Awareness Family Fun Day at Al Shaqab, where attendees included Talal Mohammed Al-Ali, the father of a child with autism who studies at specialized QF school Renad Academy, who said: “By making sure these events are inclusive of all community members, we not only benefit as guardians, but also have the opportunity to educate others.”
QF also hosted a dialogue workshop with Renad Academy experts which emphasized its commitment to creating a supportive environment for people with autism and their families, while a special recording of QF schools’ musical performance SHOWTIME!, tailored for those with autism, was shown with modified lighting, reduced sound, and sensory areas.
The Rifd parent training program at QF’s Awsaj Academy hosted online workshops designed to enhance understanding and empathy for people with autism by connecting experts with the community – while, on World Autism Awareness Day, the 2015 building (QF Headquarters) and other buildings at Education City were lit in blue.
April marked the 17th anniversary of World Autism Awareness Day – proposed by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, to the United Nations and unanimously approved – and throughout the month, community-focused events and activities at QF aimed to promote understanding of autism, acceptance, and inclusion.
Among them was QF’s annual Autism Awareness Family Fun Day at Al Shaqab, where attendees included Talal Mohammed Al-Ali, the father of a child with autism who studies at specialized QF school Renad Academy, who said: “By making sure these events are inclusive of all community members, we not only benefit as guardians, but also have the opportunity to educate others.”
QF also hosted a dialogue workshop with Renad Academy experts which emphasized its commitment to creating a supportive environment for people with autism and their families, while a special recording of QF schools’ musical performance SHOWTIME!, tailored for those with autism, was shown with modified lighting, reduced sound, and sensory areas.
The Rifd parent training program at QF’s Awsaj Academy hosted online workshops designed to enhance understanding and empathy for people with autism by connecting experts with the community – while, on World Autism Awareness Day, the 2015 building (QF Headquarters) and other buildings at Education City were lit in blue.
These events provide a platform for us to share and learn from each other’s experiences. Each story shared can inspire others and make a significant impact on a child’s life.
Social Progress, Precision Health
Interacting for UnderstandingFrom providing inclusive sports opportunities to using technology to foster inclusion and conducting groundbreaking research, a dedication to supporting those with autism is seen in so many ways across the QF ecosystem.
During April, in recognition of the month’s focus on autism awareness, QF member Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to host an interactive educational session on autism for primary school students, introducing them to the complexities of autism. Further sessions are planned in future.
QBRI also held a seminar on disseminating knowledge about autism and published a research paper titled ‘From Surviving to Thriving’, which emphasized the importance of fostering awareness and acceptance of, and appreciation, for people with autism and other neurological conditions.
Meanwhile, QF member Sidra Medicine’s longstanding BARAKA-Qatar study, focusing on Middle Eastern genetics and their implications for autism, has not only enhanced autism understanding in the Arab world, but also helped to bring the genetics of the region to global attention.
From providing inclusive sports opportunities to using technology to foster inclusion and conducting groundbreaking research, a dedication to supporting those with autism is seen in so many ways across the QF ecosystem.
During April, in recognition of the month’s focus on autism awareness, QF member Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to host an interactive educational session on autism for primary school students, introducing them to the complexities of autism. Further sessions are planned in future.
QBRI also held a seminar on disseminating knowledge about autism and published a research paper titled ‘From Surviving to Thriving’, which emphasized the importance of fostering awareness and acceptance of, and appreciation, for people with autism and other neurological conditions.
Meanwhile, QF member Sidra Medicine’s longstanding BARAKA-Qatar study, focusing on Middle Eastern genetics and their implications for autism, has not only enhanced autism understanding in the Arab world, but also helped to bring the genetics of the region to global attention.
As parents, we work closely with the academy’s teachers to integrate technology into the educational process for our children.
Precision Health
A Guide to Saving LivesWith approximately one in six children living in a conflict zone, the ability of clinicians to swiftly and effectively treat life-changing injuries is vital – and, in April, QF’s World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) announced a new means of supporting them.
Developed in Arabic and English by WISH and the UK-based Paediatric Blast Injury Partnership, the Pediatric Trauma Pain Management Manual provides clinicians with a guide to managing children’s pain both in the immediate aftermath of their injury, but also in the months and years afterwards. Initially, the manual is targeted at supporting clinicians in Gaza.
Social Progress
Entering a Diverse WorldMeanwhile, Qatar Foundation International (QFI) contributed to the publication of Mosaic of Tongues: Multilingual Learning for the Arabic-Speaking World: a unique collection of essays delving into the diverse world of multilingualism within the Arab region and throughout its diaspora.
And in advancing and expanding thought leadership on Arabic language education, on a global scale, QFI followed its involvement at a leading international education conference in March by sponsoring and participating in the Fourth Biennial Arabic Language Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Conference at the University of Cambridge in the UK.
With approximately one in six children living in a conflict zone, the ability of clinicians to swiftly and effectively treat life-changing injuries is vital – and, in April, QF’s World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) announced a new means of supporting them.
Developed in Arabic and English by WISH and the UK-based Paediatric Blast Injury Partnership, the Pediatric Trauma Pain Management Manual provides clinicians with a guide to managing children’s pain both in the immediate aftermath of their injury, but also in the months and years afterwards. Initially, the manual is targeted at supporting clinicians in Gaza.
Working together with the Paediatric Blast Injury Partnership and WISH, we have the best chance of developing a Pediatric Pain Management Manual that will provide vital support to healthcare professionals working on the ground in conflict zones in Gaza and elsewhere.
Mosaic of Tongues, supported by QFI, explores themes including:
- Teaching Arabic to non-native speakers
- The role of identity in language acquisition
- Pathways to bilingualism in the Middle East
- The impact of digital technology on the Arabic language
Progressive Education
Reaching Across DisciplinesTen years of collaboration between two QF partner universities to deliver a program that blends their expertise for the benefit of students were celebrated in April.
The Media and Politics program developed by Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) and Northwestern University in Qatar reflects the unique opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning that QF’s Education City, where top universities are based just yards from each other, offers.
Elsewhere at Education City, three computer science students at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) becoming the first team to qualify to represent Qatar at the world championship of the International Collegiate Programming Competition, the most prestigious university-level competition of its kind.
And four Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar design students received Arab Engineering Bureau Awards for Design Excellence, with the university’s faculty and students also organizing QF’s first Qatar Teaching and Learning Forum, where educators and learners shared techniques, experiments, stories, and ideas that can lead to more effective teaching and learning methodologies.
Ten years of collaboration between two QF partner universities to deliver a program that blends their expertise for the benefit of students were celebrated in April.
The Media and Politics program developed by Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) and Northwestern University in Qatar reflects the unique opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning that QF’s Education City, where top universities are based just yards from each other, offers.
Elsewhere at Education City, three computer science students at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) becoming the first team to qualify to represent Qatar at the world championship of the International Collegiate Programming Competition, the most prestigious university-level competition of its kind.
And four Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar design students received Arab Engineering Bureau Awards for Design Excellence, with the university’s faculty and students also organizing QF’s first Qatar Teaching and Learning Forum, where educators and learners shared techniques, experiments, stories, and ideas that can lead to more effective teaching and learning methodologies.
Our pioneering collaboration constitutes a unique feature of Education City, contributing to its exceptional global ethos.
Social Progress
Building BridgesFor 15 years, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra – founded by QF – has been inspiring people and connecting cultures through music, and in April it celebrated this landmark with a special 15-Year Anniversary Festival.
Over 12 days, an array of performances and musical experiences showcased the depth and versatility of the 28-nationality orchestra’s repertoire, closing with a concert featuring compositions from countries in which it has toured since its establishment.
And QF-founded Qatar Career Development Center partnered with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for the fifth edition of its Career Village: an event at KidZania Doha that provides high school students with first-hand, practical insight into career paths within Qatar’s labor market, including through experiential learning zones and interactive workshops. They also heard from experts in education, lifelong learning, and career counseling.
“Career Village embodies our commitment to providing Qatar’s youth with the best and most comprehensive career development services through hands-on learning and practical experience,” said Abdulla A. Al-Mansoori, Director of QCDC.
For 15 years, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra – founded by QF – has been inspiring people and connecting cultures through music, and in April it celebrated this landmark with a special 15-Year Anniversary Festival.
Over 12 days, an array of performances and musical experiences showcased the depth and versatility of the 28-nationality orchestra’s repertoire, closing with a concert featuring compositions from countries in which it has toured since its establishment.
And QF-founded Qatar Career Development Center partnered with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for the fifth edition of its Career Village: an event at KidZania Doha that provides high school students with first-hand, practical insight into career paths within Qatar’s labor market, including through experiential learning zones and interactive workshops. They also heard from experts in education, lifelong learning, and career counseling.
“Career Village embodies our commitment to providing Qatar’s youth with the best and most comprehensive career development services through hands-on learning and practical experience,” said Abdulla A. Al-Mansoori, Director of QCDC.
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the most diverse orchestras in the world. This diversity manifests itself not only in the orchestra’s melodies, but also represents the character and culture of Qatar.
Social Progress
A Hub for the CommunityFrom the World Cup to worship, the Education City Stadium has become a focal point not only for sporting excellence and involvement, but also for community life and interaction.
In April, for the second consecutive year, the iconic sporting arena staged the Eid al-Fitr prayer at QF as tens of thousands of people from across Qatar’s community congregated at the stadium to mark the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The gathering of worship was hosted by QF’s Minaretein Center (Education City Mosque) in coordination with the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs, and was followed by an Eid festival. The stadium has become a venue for Eid prayers due to its capacity to safely host large numbers of worshippers.
“These events reflect our commitment to building a vibrant community, enriching our shared Islamic heritage, and fostering educational and cultural understanding,” said Wasif Ali Khan, Business Transformation Project Manager at the Minaretein Center. “It is through such initiatives that we fulfil our mission, celebrate our traditions, and nurture the growth of our community.”
From the World Cup to worship, the Education City Stadium has become a focal point not only for sporting excellence and involvement, but also for community life and interaction.
In April, for the second consecutive year, the iconic sporting arena staged the Eid al-Fitr prayer at QF as tens of thousands of people from across Qatar’s community congregated at the stadium to mark the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The gathering of worship was hosted by QF’s Minaretein Center (Education City Mosque) in coordination with the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs, and was followed by an Eid festival. The stadium has become a venue for Eid prayers due to its capacity to safely host large numbers of worshippers.
“These events reflect our commitment to building a vibrant community, enriching our shared Islamic heritage, and fostering educational and cultural understanding,” said Wasif Ali Khan, Business Transformation Project Manager at the Minaretein Center. “It is through such initiatives that we fulfil our mission, celebrate our traditions, and nurture the growth of our community.”
