Government

Brussels: The State of Qatar participated in the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, held in Brussels on Monday. HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad represented the State of Qatar at the meeting. In her speech during the event, Her Excellency said that today's meeting reflects collective responsibility to protect civilians affected by conflict, especially children, whose safety, dignity, and future must remain at the core of all international efforts. In response to the conflict's humanitarian dimensions and following the State of Qatar's high-level discussions with both Ukraine and the Russian Federation during 2023, Qatar undertook humanitarian mediation efforts aimed at facilitating the return of Ukrainian children separated from their families, Her Excellency pointed out. At the request of the Ukrainian side, Qatar carried out a number of humanitarian missions and hosted consultations with both parties in pursuit of this humanitarian objective, she said. Qatari mediation efforts succeeded in reuniting 87 Ukrainian children with their families, through more than fourteen humanitarian operations conducted in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross, HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation noted. Her Excellency affirmed that these efforts stemmed from a humanitarian approach that places children's safety, dignity, and care as the highest priority, in line with international humanitarian principles. The State of Qatar hosted a number of Ukrainian families who were reunited in Doha, via dedicated recovery and rehabilitation programs aimed at supporting their physical and psychological well-being, she pointed out. In addition to its mediation efforts, Qatar has maintained sustainable humanitarian support for the Ukrainian people, as HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani gave directives in 2023 to allocate USD 100 million to support humanitarian response efforts in Ukraine, Her Excellency highlighted, adding that Qatar also contributed to the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative with USD 20 million, in support of international efforts to strengthen global food security. HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation further said that the State of Qatar supported educational initiatives and child protection projects, including providing university scholarships to Ukrainian students, in addition to a USD 3.5 million initiative to establish and equip shelters in schools and kindergartens, benefiting thousands of children. In cooperation with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, Qatar supported efforts to rehabilitate and rebuild vital healthcare facilities in Ukraine, including specialized medical facilities dedicated to child care, she also noted. Her Excellency stressed that protecting children in armed conflicts must remain a shared international priority that transcends political considerations and geopolitical divisions. HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation delivered two practical messages to participants: the first being that mediation alone without sustained practical follow-up is not enough, noting that the State of Qatar is ready to share its experience in reuniting children with their families, numbering 115 children, with any country seeking to achieve the same outcome. As for her second practical message, it was that every child still separated from their family is waiting for help, adding that time is not on those children's side, as words alone cannot restore a stolen childhood. She added that behind every number mentioned today - 87, 28, 115 - is a child asking themselves every night about the moment they will feel safe again. Although certainty cannot be promised, yet doing everything possible to help them is, Her Excellency said. She concluded by reaffirming the State of Qatar's commitment to continuing its steadfast approach based on diplomacy and mediation to achieve international peace and security, offering its expertise, networks of relations, and belief in genuine humanitarian action.

Education

Doha, Qatar: The students of the Digital Communication and Media Production (DCMP- English Track), University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) yesterday paid an educational visit to The Peninsula to gain firsthand experience of how a professional newsroom operates. The group was accompanied by Associate Professor Dr. Carolyne Lunga, who guided the students throughout the visit and encouraged them to engage with journalists and editors during the sessions. The visit began with an interactive session with Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi who spoke about the responsibilities of journalists in today’s fast-changing media environment and highlighted the importance of credibility, accuracy, and ethical reporting. He also shared insights from his own professional journey and explained how newspapers continue to adapt to the growing influence of digital media and social networking platforms. Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula Prof. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi briefing the students about newspaper operations. Managing Editor Mohammed Osman Ali also attended the session. The Editor-in-Chief discussed the challenges faced by modern news organisations, including the pressure of publishing news quickly while maintaining professional standards. The interaction session also focused on the changing reading habits of audiences and the increasing role of online journalism in reaching readers across the world. The visit offered the students a valuable opportunity to connect their classroom studies with the practical side of journalism and media production. The students toured different sections of the newspaper. They visited the local news, sports, and business reporting sections, where reporters and editors explained how stories are planned, covered, written, and edited before publication. The students learned about the teamwork involved in producing daily news content and the importance of coordination among different sections of the newsroom. The Peninsula's online team explaining the dynamics of newspaper's website and social media platforms. The group also visited the news desk and production section, where they observed the editorial process more closely. Staff members explained how headlines are prepared, how pages are designed, and how the final newspaper layout is organised before printing. Students were introduced to the creative and technical aspects involved in page design and newspaper production. One of the most engaging parts of the visit was the tour of the online section. Here, students learned about the digital side of journalism, including website management, audience traffic, online ratings, and social media engagement. The online team demonstrated how news is updated instantly on digital platforms and explained the importance of analytics in understanding audience interests and behaviour. Heads of sections, warmly welcomed the students, briefed them about their responsibilities, and answered questions related to newsroom operations and journalism careers. The interactive discussions allowed students to better understand the realities of working in the media industry. The visit proved to be both informative and inspiring for the students. It gave them practical exposure to the daily functioning of a newspaper and helped them appreciate the dedication and teamwork required in the field of journalism.

Education

Doha, Qatar: What is an astrolabe? Can karak tea reveal a deeper story of cultural connection? How has digital media changed the way we remember? These questions were explored by senior students at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) as part of the 2026 Graduation Showcase, now available online. The exhibition marks the culmination of students’ academic and creative journeys and features work from five programmes: Art History (ARTH), Graphic Design (GDES), Interior Design (IDES), Painting and Printmaking (PAPR), and Master of Fine Arts in Design (MFA). GDES student Khawla Al-Essa explored the history and function of the astrolabe in her project The Astrolabe: Taker of the Stars. Through a handcrafted artist book with sequential illustrations, she examined the instrument’s development, anatomy, and uses. “The more I researched, the more I understood how and why astrolabes gradually fell out of use,” she said, adding that her goal was to reintroduce the instrument in an engaging and accessible way. ARTH student Nourhane Tarroun focused on Qatar’s beloved karak tea in her project Karak Routes. Tracing its origins through Indian Ocean spice trade routes and South Asian migration to the Gulf, she used takeaway cups collected across Qatar to explore how ordinary objects carry cultural history. “Karak tea is everywhere in Doha, yet I had never questioned how it got here,” she noted. In Afkarna (Our Ideas), IDES student Reema Al Mohannadi designed a collaborative space for emerging designers navigating uncertainty, particularly in the age of AI. Inspired by vernacular door geometries, she created interconnected pathways symbolising growth, experimentation, and professional transition. Themes of emotional well-being shaped PAPR student Tarishah Ramanda Fadilah’s project Sparklers. Using illustrations and animations, she compared anxiety and numbness to the brief but lingering bursts of sparklers, drawing inspiration from childhood memories in Indonesia. Meanwhile, MFA student Alice Mohammed Aslem examined memory and digital documentation in Between the Veins. Inspired by viewing countless photos of her son on her phone, she questioned whether constant documentation weakens meaningful remembrance. Using weaving techniques on screw pine and palm leaves, she connected personal memory with her ties to India and Qatar. Together, the projects highlight how research, art, and design can address culture, identity, memory, and contemporary challenges. Collectively, the projects reflect how students’ technical skill, introspection, and curiosity address timely themes through research, art, and design.