KidzMondo set to open at Mall of Qatar

By Sachin Kumar

DOHA: KidzMondo the edutainment city for children entailing $30m investment is expected to open in late August or early September this year at ‘Mall of Qatar’. Termed as the ‘city of education and entertainment’ the park will span across a built up area of about 8000 square metres. It will host more than 60 establishments including a bank aircraft fire station petrol station hospital driving institute race track and university among others.

The management expects about 350000 visitors flocking to the city per year. “KidzMondo Doha will be able to accommodate around 800 - 1000 kids and we expect 350000 visitors coming to this city” said Ali Kazma Chairman of Kidz Holding and founder of the KidzMondo concept speaking on the sidelines of a symbolic foundation stone laying ceremony at Hilton Doha Hotel.

“Kidsmondo features an interactive kid-sized city developed for and managed solely by children between the age of 2 to 14. The self-sufficient city with its own economy and currency includes over 80 real-life simulation activities across diverse business environments and allows children to dress up and role-play realistic tasks in a safe interactive and educational environment” he added.

KidzMondo has 29 confirmed sponsors and more tie ups with brands are expected in the coming days.

“To date KidzMondo Doha has teamed up with celebrated local and regional brands to develop some of its indoor establishments including Qatar Airways Ooredoo QIIB Abdul Samad Al Qurashi UrbaCon Trading & Contracting (UCC) Crepe & More amd Mister Pizza” he said.

Represented by Fawzia Abdulaziz Al Khater Director of Education Institute at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education the Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi expressed his happiness and pride at the ground-breaking event of KidzMondo.

He noted that this city will provide an excellent platform for merging entertainment with education and tourism and will play a pivotal role in adding value to the role of our existing educational institutions through edutainment that combines education with entertainment and fun with the aim of delivering an exciting as well as a playful experience to the younger generations.

“The city will be a centre of joy for Qatar’s population in general and specifically to the children - a city where education will surpass its traditional learning format at schools by using edutainment as a method of learning and thus providing students with a fun educational experience” said Fawzia Abdulaziz Al Khater. “It is of extreme importance that these edutainment cities to align their mission and vision not only with the cultural image of Qatar but also in accordance to the Qatari Arab and Islamic customs and traditions. Not to forget that these cities must take into account the different segments of society and pay particular focus to providing alternatives for children with special needs and the elderly noting that their consideration will be essential in creating educational health and cultural awareness campaigns that reach the masses and speak directly to all segments of the society” she added.

“We have been always keen since the kickoff ofthe construction works of Mall of Qatar to attract the best brands in the field of entertainment and amusement for the State of Qatar. The event which we are witnessing today with KidzMondo city is only a confirmation of the promise we delivered as this edutainment concept offers a unique learning and educational experience characterized by sophistication and exclusivity for those looking for fun and interest of the city” said Ahmed Al Mulla CEO of Mall of Qatar.

The Peninsula