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Tribune News Network
Doha
Minister of Energy and Industry HE Dr Mohammed bin Saleh al Sada presided over the 16th Annual Qatarisation Review Meeting of the energy and industry sector recently.
In his opening address, Sada said that despite the challenges faced by the sector due to volatile oil prices in 2015, companies strongly invested in human capital.
"We will utilise these challenges to become a stronger knowledge-based economy, resulting in long-term benefits for the country," he said.
"The competition for young Qataris is fierce between different sectors and we will do our utmost in attracting, developing, and retaining young Qataris. These challenges have not hindered the energy and industry sector's Qatari workforce to continue growing," he added.
Sada emphasised the importance of the vocational path as it is the backbone of the industry. He encouraged those present to do more to further expand efforts to attract and retain Qatari technicians. The minister said that many companies are working hard to improve the work environment and implement flexible working hours to entice women to join the energy and industry sector.
Speaking about the importance of technical education, Sada emphasised the need to build strong bonds between educational institutions and the companies in the sector to ensure that the educational requirements of the companies are met. Sada was pleased to see the tremendous efforts by companies to educate young high school and university students regarding career opportunities in the sector.
The minister used the occasion to recognise three individuals who have provided a strong contribution and support to Qatarisation in the energy and industry sector over the years.
These were Dr Sheikha al Misnad, former president of Qatar University, Abubakr al Saiari and Roger Gregson, both of whom were from Qatar Petroleum.
As part of the event, a high-level review of Qatarisation in the sector was presented by three young Qataris, Mais Taha, Reservoir Engineer from Maersk Oil Qatar, Mohammed Essa al Kaabi, Human Resources Manager of (Nakilat) and Mohammed al Amadi, Operating Specialist at Q-Chem.
This was followed by an executive statistical report on Qatarisation in the energy and industry sector.
The meeting also featured the sector's eight annual Qatarisation awards ceremony, during which Sada accompanied by Saad Sherida al Kaabi, President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, honoured companies that exhibited Qatarisation excellence in 2015.
The recipients of the prestigious Qatarisation Crystal Awards were Qatar Petrochemical Company Ltd for support and liaison with the education sector; Maersk Oil Qatar for supporting Qatarisation; Bunduq Company Limited for support for training and development; Dolphin Energy Limited for supporting student sponsorships; and, Qatar General Electricity and water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) for best Qatarisation progress.
Annual Qatarisation Certificates were also presented to Qatar Fertilizer company (QAFCO) for support and liaison with the education sector; Qatar Fuel Company (Woqod) for supporting Qatarisation; Total E&P Qatar for support for training and development; and ExxonMobile Qatar Inc for supporting student sponsorships.
The highlight of the event was honouring the former chairman of the Strategic Qatarisation Committee Abubakr al Saiari who spent 42 years in the service of Qatar Petroleum with continuous dedication and outstanding commitment to Qatarisation in the energy and industry sector and 15 years at the helm of the committee.
