DOHA: QF Radio, Qatar Foundation’s (QF) in-house broadcasting station, is giving children opportunity to act as presenters during National Day celebration sessions at Darb El-Saai.
Taking place in a special booth in QF’s tent, schoolchildren learn how to be radio presenters and get the chance to interview visitors. The activity aims to boost participants’ confidence and methods of self-expression and enable them to think about potential career paths, in line with QF’s overarching mission of unlocking human potential, said a statement.
Jawaher F Al Mana, Arabic Station Supervisor, QF Radio, said, “One of our objectives is to invest in people and help them realise their full potential. We are doing that at QF’s Darb El-Saai tent as we are providing children and youth with opportunity to learn how to be radio presenters and media personalities.”
Catering to Arabic and English speakers, the activity has proved popular among children and parents. “This is the first time I have spoken on the radio,” said Mohammed Al Kaabi, 11-year-old Qatari student of Oxford English School. “It is interesting to know that everybody can hear your voice, it almost feels like I am on television. I am thinking about being a reporter when I grow up,” he added.
Hannan Mohammed, 11-year-old student at Umm Al Amad Primary Independent School for Girls, said she wanted to become a radio presenter when she grew up. “Knowing that my voice is heard by people makes me feel famous, I want to be the person people listen to in cars on the way to school,” she said.
Every afternoon throughout National Day celebrations, QF Radio has been broadcasting live coverage from Darb El-Saai, highlighting activities at QF’s tent and hosting interviews with visitors, including QF management, families and VIPs.
On the response the booth has received, Laura Finnerty, English Station Supervisor, QF Radio, said: “The activity is the best way to give people an idea about some of the work we do. We wanted to provide something to our audience that was not too challenging and would be considered fun at the same time.
“This encouraged people to tune in, making them feel as though they are part of the National Day experience, which is exciting. Setting up these interviews gave us the chance to celebrate more than the National Day, it gave us opportunity to highlight QF’s success this year and show off some QF pride,” she added.
Students from universities across QF are also benefitting from QF Radio at Darb El-Saai. Young men and woman are lining up guests, conducting interviews with them, which are edited and presented as in-depth reports on QF Radio.
Focus on Environment
Visitors to the tent are also encouraged to show commitment to protecting the environment.
A piece of eco-friendly artwork of a boat by Qatar Green Building Council has been created with lids of water bottles, as an example of reusing plastic.
QF recognises the importance of protecting the environment and has placed the issue of sustainability at the forefront of its agenda, and, through innovative initiatives, programmes and centres, plays an instrumental role in bringing Qatar’s sustainability efforts to life.
Several QF entities and universities are contributing to Qatar National Day under the umbrella of ‘Sustainability’. Texas A&M University at Qatar is hosting a hands-on activity to raise awareness about green energy. Visitors are given the chance to observe and experiment with alternative green energy sources, such as wind and solar power.
The Quranic Botanic Garden is holding activities and exhibiting aspects of its garden. It is encouraging visitors to interact with a virtual reality game and giving them opportunity to contribute by adding to a piece of eco-friendly artwork.
Qatar Solar Technologies, through a workshop, is distributing kits to enable visitors to create innovative Qatari flag-decorated lanterns using solar energy, stationery and recycled materials. Reach Out To Asia is coordinating an activity that allows visitors to build notebooks to be donated to needy children, using recycled paper.
The ‘Paper City Challenge’, organised by Msheireb Properties, enables visitors to create miniature buildings from pre-recycled printed carton materials.
The Peninsula
