Doha, September 18 (QNA) – HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani telephoned today the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During the phone call, they reviewed the bilateral relations and issues of common interest.

HE the Prime Minister Phones Jordanian Premier  
HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani telephoned on Tuesday Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Al-Tarawneh. 
During the phone call, they discussed the fraternal relations and issues of mutual interest. (QNA)

Doha, September 18 (QNA) – The Supreme Education Council and Carnegie Mellon Qatar signed today a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to work together on education, community development and scientific research. The MoU was signed by HE Saad bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, the Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary General of the Supreme Education Council, and Ilker Baybars, dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar.
HE the Minister premiered Qatar’s National Education Strategy on Tuesday as part of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar’s Dean’s Lecture Series.
“Qatar’s Education and Training Sector Strategy has been developed in consultation with our key partners, both within and external to the sector. Strategic plans and project roadmaps have been formulated to be in alignment with all strategies of K-12 and higher education to be consistent with the plans of other institutions and to serve as a key pathways in realizing Qatar National Vision 2030,” HE Al Mahmoud told an audience of more than 500 educators, students and community members during his speech on campus.
“I extend my thanks to Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar for organizing this event and providing this opportunity to address so many key colleagues and partners in education at this important time as we start the new academic year,” added the Secretary General.
In its presentation of Qatar’s strategy, the Supreme Education Council addressed several key important issues, including ways in which to address skills and knowledge gaps between K-12 and higher education; attrition rates among secondary school students, especially Qatari males; increasing student motivation; and synchronizing curricula across the education sector. 
“As the principal forum for government officials and industry leaders to share their knowledge with Carnegie Mellon and to broaden students’ understanding of important issues, we were very pleased to hear His Excellency The Minister and Scott Hill present Qatar’s National Educational Strategy during our first gathering of the Dean s Lecture Series this semester,” said Ilker Baybars, dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar.
Scott Hill, Director of the Office of Program Review and Audit at the Supreme Education Council, called for an alignment of the Education sector from K-12 to scientific research in order to develop system-wide solutions for meeting the goals set by both the Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS) 2011-2016 and Qatar National Vision 2030.
“Qatar’s strategy is built around the notion that decision makers will be able to identify policy priorities for the educational system for seamless connection amongst all institutions, where feedback mechanisms will be put in place across the system. It’s not just about undertaking one project at a time. It is projects supporting each other   allowing for potential symmetry and synergy – creating a sector where institutions support each other,” Hill said. (END)

Rabat, September 18 (QNA) – King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Tuesday received a message from HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, dealing with relations between the two countries and issues of mutual concern.
The message was delivered by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, during an audience with the Moroccan King here today. (QNA)

Rome, September 18 (QNA) – Qatar News Agency (QNA) and Italian News Agency (ANSA) signed Tuesday in Rome an agreement for cooperation and news exchange.
The agreement was signed for Qatari side by HE Qatar’s Ambassador to Italy Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi and for the Italian side by ANSA Managing Director Giuseppe Cerbone.
The agreement aims to promote closer cooperation between the two agencies in the field of news coverage. (QNA)

Beijing, September 18 (QNA) – Chairman of Qatar’s Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA) Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, met here on Tuesday with China’s Minister of Supervision, Ma Wen. During the meeting, they discussed main issues of mutual interest with an emphasis on the administrative control and transparency-related issues.
Both sides, also reviewed means of bilateral ties and ways of enhancing and developing them especially in administrative control fields.
The meeting was attended by HE  Qatar’s Ambassador to China, Hamad bin Mohamed al Khalifa and HE Al Attiyah’s accompanying delegation.
Earlier Monday,  HE Chairman of Qatar’s Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah ,who is also President of the Climate Change Conference (COP18), met here with China’s Vice Premier Li Keqiang. 
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing and developing them, as well as the latest developments and the work done to host the Climate Change Conference (COP18) in Doha this November.(QNA) 

Doha, September 18 (QNA) – The Minister of State for Interior Affairs HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani launched an emergency call (992) service for people with aural challenges at the National Command Centre in Doha.
The  Director General of Public Security (DGPS) Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, Adviser to HE the Minister Major General Dr. Abdullah Al Mal, National Command Centre chief Staff Brigadier Abdullah Mohammed Al Suwaidi; Director of Qatar Social Cultural Centre for the Deaf (QCSCD) Ali Al Sanari; Qatar Telecom (Qtel) Customer Service Department Director Ahmed Al Muhannadi, MoI department directors and members of the QCSCD attended the launch ceremony yesterday.
“We are proud today to launch this service that is unprecedented in the Middle East and it shows the concern of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) towards equal rights and access for all segments of the community and communicating with appropriate means,” said Brigadier Al Suwaidi speaking at the launch.
This initiative is the result of the collaboration between the ministry and QTel, he said and added this service will enable the deaf to contact the operations room during emergencies (ambulance, rescue, fire). They can do this using three options – video call SMS and e-mail. Sign language experts have been made available in the centre round the clock to handle the calls.
HE Sheikh Abdullah said in a statement that the launch this service for people with aural challenge (deaf) reiterates the concerns of the State of Qatar regarding human and equal rights. It also shows the progress of embracing high technology at the ministry in order to provide services using advanced methods and technology to meet the needs and aspirations of citizens and residents. 
“The ministry is aware of its responsibility towards people with hearing disabilities and it believes it is their right to live in secure environment and in peace by providing all the ways of communication between them and the Ministry of Interior. That is why we have launched this service,” said HE Sheikh Abdullah.
Director General of Public Security (DGPS), Maj. Gen. Saad Bin Jassim Al Khulaifi said that the MoI striving to provide advanced services to all segments of society and it includes people with hearing disabilities. He pointed out that the project was on the table since long time but the MoI wanted to be perfect the service before launching it.
“This service provides equal access to emergency service for normal people as well as those with aural challenges. The new service provides equal
opportunity for people with disabilities, while they are in any difficulty,” said Al Khulaifi. He also pointed out that the service ensures protection and preservation of information, confidentiality and privacy of the caller while being exposed to any exigent circumstances.
The Emergency Service can be availed by dialing number ‘992’. The deaf people can communicate with this service by calling ‘992’ using
3G enabled devices from computer or mobile phone, sending SMS to 992 or sending email to 992 moi.gov.qa
One of the main condition for the availability of this service is the caller should be deaf. While sending an SMS, the sender should mention clearly the type of the problem and service needed such as ‘Ambulance, Civil Defense and Police’.
In addition to this, the name of the sender along with the address and the injuries or deaths if occurred should be mentioned.
Earlier, Emergency Services for the deaf were offered with the help of Qatar Social Cultural Centre for the Deaf (QCSCD). Now with the 992 service aurally challenged people can directly contact the operations room.
The public can contact for services on 44526666 (NCC Call Centre), 44526300 (Direct phone), 44526398 (Extension) 44526677 (Fax). (END)

Doha, September 18 (QNA) – Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) signed a partnership with each of Qatar petroleum (QP) and Qatargas (QG) to officially sponsor the (Qatar week: Ferjan in Tokyo) from the 27th September-1st October.
The Qatar week: Ferjan in Tokyo event is part of the ongoing Qatar-Japan 2012 program to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Japan.
Addressing a press briefing on this occasion, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qatar Museums Authority, Mansoor Al Khater conveyed greetings of HH the chairperson of (QMA), Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Al Khater emphasized that the partnership signing to sponsor this event ,marks a major headway in the Qatari -Japanese relations to achieve joint strategic targets and introducing, meantime, the Qatari aspects of life and national culture to the Japanese community.  
    CEO) of QMA also extended his thanks and appreciation to the ministry of interior and Qatar s embassy in Tokyo for their recognizable efforts in making the event a tangible success.      
He said the QMA is expecting further cooperation with the Japanese community to strengthen cultural exchange between Qatar and Japan and to benefit from their experience to enhance the cultural and social renaissance movement in Qatar.
He also expressed pride in both (QP) and (QG) for having partnered to sponsor the event that he wished it would impress the Japanese community.
Meanwhile, (QP s) Director of Oil & Gas Ventures, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi expressed the firm s pleasure to be one the event s sponsors that marks a strong partnership with their fellow Japanese in the constant development in the field of energy industry.   Speaking on the same occasion, Qatargas chief operating officer (administration), Ghanim al Kuwari, said they were proud to be one of the leading companies participating at the Qatar-Japan 2012 event citing Japan s prominent role in being one of the catalysts for the company s debut and success.
The event named, (Ferjan) and stemming from the word (Fareej) meaning (Suburbs) in the Qatari colloquial language, will feature the Qatari culture and traditional life in Tokyo’s Roppongi Hills in a way that simulates the atmosphere of Doha s favorite attraction, Souq Waqef. (QNA)

Berlin, September 18 (QNA) – HE Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, , took part, along with the delegation accompanying him, in the opening of the railway fair of InnoTrans (International Trade Fair for Transport Technology – Innovative Components, Vehicles, Systems), which kicked off here on Tuesday .
The three-day conference was opened by German Minister of Transport Peter Ramsauer in the presence of transport ministers and railway experts from all over the world.
Within the same context, the Qatari minister visited the transport technology exhibition, which is organized by German railway firm Deutsche Bahn. (QNA)