TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA QATARGAS on Tuesday announced its support to the Qatar Independent Technical School (QITS) in Doha, by funding the construction of six new classrooms.

According to a press release issued by the company, Qatargas Chief Operating Officer - Administration Ghanim al Kuwari made the announcement at a foundation laying ceremony of the new facilities held at the school premises.

Qatargas Public Relations Manager Mansour Rashid al Naimi, Head of Qatarization and National Development Adnan Hassan al Shaibi, Principal of QITS Abdullah Shams, and Hassan Ali al Mutawa, head of Administration of the school attended the event, the release said.

“Our support to build the new classrooms at QITS is an extension of the ongoing cooperation between Qatargas and QITS. We believe that Qatargas’ partnership with QITS will benefit both parties as most of the young Nationals who are on our Technical Preparatory Programme are trained at QITS. Helping to build the National workforce is an important element of Qatargas’ corporate social responsibility. Our collaboration with QITS supports our Qatarization objectives and contributes towards the Human Development pillar of Qatar’s National Vision 2030,” said al Kuwari in the release.

Al Naimi said, “Supporting the education sector is a core element of our corporate social responsibility strategy at Qatargas. Continuing to invest in the education and training of young Nationals enables Qatargas to contribute towards achieving the goals of the National Development Strategy 2011-2016 by increasing the prominence of technical education and vocational training programmes to prepare young Qataris to acquire the skills required for the industrial sector.” Responding to the gesture, Abdullah Shams said, “We greatly value the ongoing cooperation between QITS and Qatargas and appreciate Qatargas’ support towards expanding our facilities. This will help us in meeting the growing needs of Qatar’s industry, especially the oil and gas sector. QITS is committed to continuously improving the students’ theoretical and practical learning in classrooms as well as workshops and labs, to acquire the knowledge and skills required for the workplace and further education.” Through its ongoing cooperation with QITS, Qatargas has been providing valuable support and direction to Qatar’s education sector. As part of Qatargas’ High School Internship Programmes, QITS students are provided opportunities for month-long placements over the summer holidays to experience work familiarisation onsite at Ras Laffan, the release said.

A specific development programme was designed for the students, who were given exposure to the LNG plant and its various sections, to give them a broad understanding of the gas industry in Qatar and its role in the development of the country in achieving its vision.

In 2011 Qatargas invited QITS instructors for plant visits and an overview of the company’s internship programme, to enhance their understanding of the needs of the Oil & Gas industry, and how the education sector can partner with the industry to manage the expectations of their students.

Since 2010, Qatargas’ Head of Qatarization and National Development Division Adnan Hassan al Shaibi has held the post of vice-chairman of the Board of Trustees at QITS.

Operated and supervised by Qatar Petroleum, QITS was founded in 1999 to offer career-oriented technical education at secondary level.

The technical education programmes offered at the school are in response to the current and potential local labour market needs and prepares the students to work as technicians and computer professionals in various sectors within Qatar.

Programmes are offered in mechanical, electrical, process plant operations, instrumentation, welding and information technology.