DOHA: Qatar Foundation’s (QF) National Day celebrations at Darb El-Saai attracted 111,350 people since its opening on December 8. Activities at the venue ended yesterday.
Visitors were impressed with activities for children and parents. This year, events focused on five themes: Education and Lifelong Learning; Research and Innovation; Culture and Heritage Preservation; Sports, Health and Wellbeing; and Sustainability.
Last week, QF organised a special National Day celebration for its management and staff. Festivities took place in Education City, with over 500 employees attending, and started with Qatar Leadership Academy (QLA) raising the national flag.
QF schools hosted fun-filled activities. QLA performed the local traditional dance Ardha, Qatar Academy Al Wakrah gave musical performances, and Awsaj Academy students put on traditional shows. Many QF centres also celebrated National Day, hosting activities at the Darb El-Saai tent and Education City.
Highlights included a horse simulator organised by Al Shaqab, Qatar Green Building Council’s virtual reality game, and Texas A&M University at Qatar’s ‘Electronic Circuits’ activity.
The Darb El-Saai committee concluded 13 days of celebrations on Sunday evening, officially wrapping up this year’s National Day.
Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, President, QF, said, “We have much to be thankful for on Qatar National Day 2015. We are proud to celebrate QF’s achievements in our 20th year, along with Qatar’s achievements as a whole.
“It is a testament to the steadfast guidance and support of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson, QF, and Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani that this nation is becoming a knowledge-based economy, as per Qatar National Vision 2030,” he added.
The Peninsula