Category: Government

Qatar University (QU) started Sunday receiving applications for online admission to the bachelor’s degree level for the fall semester 2023 for students transferring from other universities and students for a second bachelor’s degree, which continues until May 10, while the application for new students, visitors, and students studying courses begins on May 8 and continues June 20.

QU’s Director of the Admission Department Lulwa Al Rubaie stated that applicants are required to achieve at least 70 percent of the secondary certificate average when applying to the faculties of arts, sciences, engineering, management, economics, law, sharia, Islamic studies, education, health sciences, and nursing; 85 percent as a minimum for applicants to the faculties of medicine and dentistry; and 80 percent as a minimum for applicants to the college of pharmacy.

She explained that online application for scholarships for the fall semester 2023 will be opened from May 8 to June 20, as the scholarships include excellence grants, grants for children of the GCC states who have a Qatari secondary certificate, distinguished performance grants, and a grant for children of QU staff.

She said that new students can apply via the online admission application, while registered students can apply via the self-service system (My Banner), with the need to upload the required documents during the announced application period, pointing out that decisions to accept scholarships will be announced on July 31.

She stressed that QU admission depends on the principle of competition between applicants, and that achieving the minimum level in the secondary certificate does not mean that the student will be accepted in the first desire, but rather admission is made according to the absorptive capacity of each college separately, and the educational path in the secondary stage is also taken into consideration when applying for the university.

The Director of the University’s Admissions Department indicated that the admission application process is completed by completing the online application on the university’s official website (apply.qu.edu.qa) and uploading the required documents electronically, provided that the documents are uploaded before the specified deadline. (QNA)

Source: Qatar News Agency

Dukhan Bank has achieved another worldwide recognition for the outstanding quality of its Private Banking service by winning the World’s Best Islamic Private Bank award at Global Finance World’s Best Islamic Financial Institutions Awards for 2023 for the second year in a row.

This significant achievement follows Bank’s successful transformation into a Qatari public shareholding company by listing its shares on the Qatar Stock Exchange and commencement of trading from 21 February 2023.

Year after year, Dukhan Bank has led the Islamic banking sector as demonstrated by its unrivalled private banking proposition offering an end-to-end portfolio of financing, banking and investment products and services for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).

Global Finance is a leading international magazine and industry analyst that evaluates and awards the top performers among banks and other financial services providers on global and regional levels in technology, leadership, brand and sustainability categories in more than 150 countries.

The winners of this year’s awards are institutions that contributed to the growth of Islamic financing. They successfully met their customers’ needs for Shariah-compliant products with modern and efficient delivery channels, while creating the foundation for continued growth and safety in the future.

Commenting on the recognition, Ahmed Hashem, Dukhan Bank Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are extremely proud to win this award and to be named for the second consecutive year as the World’s Best Islamic Private Bank by the respected experts at Global Finance. I would like to dedicate this award to our committed and hardworking teams from senior management, head of departments to the entire employees of Dukhan Bank who have worked extremely hard over many years to achieve this level of global recognition.” He added: “This award is a testament to Dukhan Bank’s unrelenting efforts to offer innovative Shari’ah-compliant products and services to the banking industry for an enhanced customers’ experience. The award recognizes Dukhan Bank’s position at the pinnacle of Islamic banking as we meet and exceed the growing sophistication and increasing demands of private banking clients, particularly within the digital realm.” Dukhan Bank was selected as the winner of the award by the Global Finance editorial team after extensive consultations with bankers, corporate finance executives and analysts throughout the world. The selection team follow a wide array of criteria, ranging from growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in products. Other criteria considered were reputation, customer satisfaction and the opinions of analysts and others involved in the industry. (QNA)

Source: Qatar News Agency

Jordanian King Abdullah II met Saturday with a US Congress delegation headed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

The meeting discussed means to advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Regional and international issues as well as efforts to reach political solutions to the crises of the region and the world were also discussed.

The Jordanian monarch stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and continuing coordination on issues of common concern. (QNA)

Source: Qatar News Agency

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh stressed the importance of reviving the Arab Peace Initiative to end the occupation and establish a Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Speaking during a meeting today with a delegation from the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), Shtayyeh said: “Israel is waging wars against our geography, demography, money and narrative. Through its occupation, Israel aims to control all aspects of life in Palestine, especially through murder and daily arrest campaigns, seizure of lands in favor of settlement expansion, controlling and stealing most of our water resources, and placing restrictions on the freedom of movement of individuals and merchandise.” The Palestinian Prime Minister urged the IUSY to press the Israeli occupation authorities to abide by the signed agreements and allow the Palestinian elections to be held in all of the Palestinian territories, including in Jerusalem.

During the meeting, Shtayyeh briefed the delegation of the latest political developments in Palestine, including the ongoing Israeli violations against the Palestinian people. (QNA)

Source: Qatar News Agency

Royal Guard Special Force Commander Staff Colonel HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated Lt.Gen. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Supreme Defence Council (SDC) Secretary-General and Royal Guard Commander on being promoted by Royal Order, issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Col. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa commended Lt. Gen. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa’s national roles across all fields, noting that the royal trust recognizes his dedicated efforts which contributed to enhancing Bahrain’s standing.

Col. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa wished HH Shaikh Nasser every success to continue the march of progress and prosperity under the leadership of HM the King.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa today sent a cable of congratulations to the National Security Advisor, Secretary-General of the Supreme Defence Council, and Commander of the Royal Guard, His Highness Lieutenant-General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on the promotion to the rank of Lieutenant-General, following a Royal Order by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman highlighted HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad’s achievements in supporting the comprehensive development, in line with the visions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister.

HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the vital role of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad in advancing military capabilities. HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman wished HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad continued success in his future endeavours.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister, Board of Trustees Chairman of Bahrain Polytechnic, Wael bin Nasser Al-Mubarak, received here today the newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Bahrain, Ni Ruchi.

The minister lauded the current level reached by two countries’ friendship relations, stressing the importance of further strengthening bilateral ties to serve common interests.

Al-Mubarak reviewed with the envoy areas of cooperation between Bahrain Polytechnic and Chinese universities, especially in academic programmes that would benefit the two countries.

The two sides also discussed areas of bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fisheries development and fish farming, and explored ways to take advantage of the Chinese expertise in these sectors.

The ambassador lauded the kingdom’s progress across various fields, affirming China’s readiness to provide its expertise in the agriculture and marine resources sectors.

He wished the kingdom further progress and prosperity.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) participated in the career fair organized by the Royal University for Women (RUW).

The event aimed to introduce and familiarize university students with diverse career and training opportunities provided by various participating entities.

The career fair provided a unique opportunity for students to interact with DANAT officials and gain insights into the pearl industry.

The students were introduced to various career paths and informed about job opportunities in the field of pearls.

The officials provided detailed explanation of the job roles and vocational training programs available at DANAT, while encouraging the students to participate in the institute’s courses, workshops, programs, activities, and events.

These opportunities are tailored to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their respective professional fields.

The team’s efforts aimed to motivate and inspire the students to consider pursuing careers in this dynamic field, ultimately contributing to the development of the pearl and gemstone industry in Bahrain.

DANAT CEO Noora Jamsheer emphasized that the Institute’s participation in the event underscores DANAT’s unwavering commitment to introduce young and aspiring individuals to the dynamic and unique pearl industry and inspire them to pursue a career in this field.

She said that investing in young national talents is a crucial component of the national plan to revitalize the pearl sector in Bahrain and strengthen Bahrain’s position as a global leader in pearl extraction, trade, and examination.

“The DANAT Institute strives to realize its vision of elevating the knowledge and skills of young individuals in the field, empowering them to contribute towards the national development process, and promoting the pearl and gemstone industry in the Kingdom,” Jamsheer said.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, received the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Bahrain Alexey Skosyrev.

The meeting reviewed the progress of bilateral ties and discussed means to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Regional developments and topics of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

World Rally-Raid Championship leader Sébastien Loeb has been forced to withdraw from the Sonora Rally in Mexico after an accident which resulted in an injury to his Bahrain Raid Xtreme co-driver, Fabian Lurquin.

Setting off first on the third stage, Loeb and Lurquin in the BRX Prodrive Hunter arrived at speed into a blind corner with a big drop into a dry river on the outside. With no chance of slowing down in time, the car went in hard and tipped onto its side.

Lurquin was taken to the local hospital by the event’s medical crews for check-ups, and X Rays eventually revealed a very slight fracture to his right shoulder, meaning he was unable to continue.

It was a big disappointment for the BRX crew following their emphatic stage victory 24 hours earlier, which had given them the outright lead in the third round of the championship.

Loeb, who was uninjured, said: “We were driving alongside this dry river, parallel to it, when there was a jump. That was fine, but where we were going to land, the direction of the dry river changed course meaning we were going to land in it.

“I did everything I could to avoid it, but there was no option and we landed hard into the drop on the right hand side of the car. Even when I was out of the car slowing other cars down, they still nearly had the same accident as we did.

“It’s a tough day for us at BRX, but I hope Fabian can get fit soon and back alongside me in the car when he’s ready.”

The stage was won by Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi, who moved to within 2 mins 51 secs of new overall leader Nasser Al Attiyah, although victory on the day may have gone to Guerlain Chicherit and Alex Winocq in another Prodrive Hunter, but for a puncture which dropped them to fourth.

The two other Prodrive Hunters driven by Brazilian brothers Marcos and Cristian Baumgart finished the day inside the top ten on their first time driving in dunes, giving them a solid start to their build up to Dakar 2024 in Saudi Arabia.

Chicherit, last year’s Rallye du Maroc winner, completed the leg to say: “It was a proper stage that. Really tough and rough and ultimately, what we are expecting to get in rally raid. So it lived up to expectations with these big holes in places, with no warning, where the ground has just collapsed.

“The cactus are quite something too as if you hit one of them at high speed, it’s a mess. On the stage we had great speed at the beginning but we had a puncture so stopped to change that but once going again it took 30 kilometres to get back to overtake that same car again.”

Source: Bahrain News Agency