(MENAFNEditorial) A new international educational programme -Destination ImagiNation (DI) - launched today by AlFaisal Without Borders (Alf) Foundation will boost Qatar's status as a leader in education in the region, dedicated to the development and empowerment of the nation's youth. Qatar is the first in the Middle East to launch this highly-effective and transformative programme.
Under the patronage of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al Thani's Alf Foundation, the programme will be piloted in Qatar's schools and present the richness of Qatari culture to more than 10,000 children and students. It will ensure the nation's school children and students have a head-start in life, by empowering them to set goals for the future and help develop their self-esteem, self-motivation and communications skills. At the same time the programme aims to instil a respect for other cultures and beliefs and the values of Islamic teaching, in alignment with the aims of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Alf Foundation.
Alf Foundation, established by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al Thani in 2011, is a not-for-profit organization which promotes sustainable development and energises people in need in Qatar and across the world by "giving them something no-one can take back" to lead dignified lives. At the heart of the Foundation's ethos is the empowerment of people through world-class education and social advancement initiatives by supporting innovative projects and initiatives in education, health, life coaching and training as well as culture.
The new programme, Destination ImagiNation (DI), takes place in 27 countries around the world with 125,000 school children and students taking part each year and an alumni of 1.5million to date. Schoolchildren and students participate through their schools and the programme operates like an extra-curricular activity. Teams of up to seven people choose a challenge from five themes – technical, scientific, fine arts, improvisation and service learning. Over a period of around three months, the teams meet up weekly out-of-school to work on their project and as a team come up with creative solutions to the challenges they are given.
Teams then compete to take part in the National Finals, which will take place in Doha in April 2014 and teams which complete their challenges and score 75% or more, can qualify for the Global Finals in Nashville, Tennessee, USA in May 2014. There, they will compete with teams from around the world for the coveted first-place position.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al Thani said: "Continuing educational advancement is absolutely key to Qatar's ongoing development and the empowerment of its young people, in line with the country's National Vision. Destination Imagination is a very effective educational programme with a proven track record around the world that will bring real benefits to our schoolchildren and students – equipping them with crucial skills to help them cope with today's ever-changing world and become effective leaders and decision makers of tomorrow."
"The philosophy of DI reflects the ethos of Alf Foundation – developing skills that give young people real life chances through teamwork, leadership, critical thinking and creativity, in alignment with the values of Islamic teaching."
Abdullatif Ali Al-Yafei, General Manager of Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation, said: ""It is a great milestone for Qatar to launch Destination Imagination in our schools, and we hope to be piloting this international programme for the wider Middle East. The aims of DI reflect the vision of His Excellency Sheikh Faisal when he established the Foundation. This is simply to help to improve the lives of those in Qatar and across the world by empowering them through education and social welfare initiatives and giving them the necessary skills and qualifications so that they can play a positive role in the world."
Alf Executive Director, Ali Mar'e said: "This is an established, dynamic programme supported by schools which will not only help develop Qatar's children and students' potential, but it will also develop and enhance their personal, social and educational skills to give them a real advantage in life. With the involvement of parents as well, the programme aims to instil the concept of life-long learning in students, fostering their curiosity and ethical reasoning and making them more aware of their responsibility to the world.
"It will also allow us to show the rest of the world that Qatar is a regional leader in progressive education, inculcating the latest thinking into its schools to make a difference to the youth of today."
Renee Rainville-Gill, DI programme manager, said: "Destination Imagination can work wonders for students and school children alike. It awakens their sense of purpose and gives them the skills they need to steer their own destiny, whilst collaborating and communicating with their peers. DI paves the way to make young people great citizens in the future. During the programme, those who take part can experience the passion of problem solving and the enjoyment that comes from releasing their creativity. We want the next generation in Qatar to realize their dreams and be of public service to their people and the global community at large."
Schools piloting the programme in Qatar include:
• Park House
• Gulf English School
• Compass International School
• Newton International School Lagoona and Newton International School Barwa City
• Khalifa Independent Secondary School for Boys, and
• Noble International School.
Pupils who take part in the DI programme benefit in many ways. They acquire improved motivation to learn, a keenness to get involved in other aspects of school life and a desire to give back to their community. More importantly, they manifest a greater understanding of those around them – parents, teachers, peers, surrounding community and the world at large, and an improved grasp of their own faiths, values and ideals with increased tolerance of those from different cultures and beliefs.
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