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Closing the international conference on knowledge parks held in Qatar over the last three days, Qatar Foundation's AssociateVP for Higher Education, Dr Ahmed Hasnah told delegates: "It is absolutely essential that we should use our wealth to propel ourselves into the ranks of the world's most advanced knowledge-based societies as rapidly as possible."

He was joined by UNESCO's Assistant Director General for Information and Communication, Abdul Waheed Khan, who thanked the 300 delegates from over 40 countries that attended the conference, which was jointly organized by Qatar Foundation, UNESCO and ictQATAR.

Earlier in the day, Qatar was praised as a showcase for the world in choosing to embrace education reforms that prepare its students with the skills necessary to compete in the global economy.

Professor Carneiro, a member of the UNESCO International Commission on Education in the 21^st Century, publisher and former Portuguese education minister, asked delegates: "Can knowledge bridge the divide between developed and undeveloped countries?" He added: "Qatar has made a bold decision and is a showcase to the world in choosing to build a knowledge based society."

His comments followed an earlier keynote speech from Jock Schorger, ICT Specialist at the SEC's Education Institute, which set out a detailed program of initiatives that will support the curriculum standards that have been set for the teaching of English, Arabic, Mathematics and Science.

The new initiatives being led by the Education Institute include an ICT curriculum standards project that will provide each school with a co-ordinator responsible for integrating ICT into the core curriculum. Also planned is an e-Content project, to be piloted early next year, which will provide students with online support beyond the schoolroom.

Teacher training is also being augmented online with a project called T-Net, that supports their professional development, while the related K-Net (or Knowledge Network) program will create an inclusive portal for teachers, students, administrators and parents allowing a truly interactive dialogue for all those involved with Qatar's independent schools.

The need for interactive participation from parents and ongoing teacher training in information communications technology (ICT) were picked up in a later session by Hayfa Malaeb, VP for Studies and Professional Development for Scientific Subjects at Qatar's Al-Bayan school for girls.

Speaking in a session on ICT & Youth, Malaeb stressed the need to make the educational experience exciting and explored ways in which ICT helps students develop their written and mathematical skills.

Notes and contacts

About Qatar Foundation www.qf.org.qa

Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a private, non-profit organization committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people.

The headquarters of Qatar Foundation are located within its flagship project, Education City, an eight million square-metre campus which hosts numerous progressive learning institutions and centres of research, including branch campuses of five of the world's leading universities, plus a cutting-edge research and development centre. Qatar Foundation also works to enhance the quality of life in Qatar by investing in community health and development.

bout UNESCO www.unesco.org

UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. Its stated goal is to build peace in the minds of men through education, social and natural science, culture and communication.

UNESCO is working to create the conditions for genuine dialogue based upon respect and shared values, and the dignity of each civilization and culture. The world urgently requires global visions of sustainable development based upon observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which lie at the heart of UNESCO's mission and activities.

UNESCO functions as a laboratory of ideas and a standard setter to forge universal agreements on emerging ethical issues. The Organization serves as a clearinghouse for the dissemination and sharing of information and knowledge, while helping Member States to build their human and institutional capacities in diverse fields. UNESCO promotes international co-operation in 191 Member States in its fields of competence.

About ictQATAR http://www.ict.gov.qa

ictQATAR, the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology, is Qatar's telecommunications regulatory authority and initiator of multiple information and communication technology programs designed to drive industry and advance the lives of Qatar's people. ictQATAR aims to promote an advanced ICT society through the development of infrastructure and skills, the delivery of e-services and education, and the fostering of a regulatory environment conducive to sustainable growth.

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