Singapore students gain insights in Gulf culture

A delegation of outstanding students from a Singapore university is visiting Qatar to gain new insights in the Gulf and Islamic culture. Thirty-two students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) of Singapore are also set to engage with top Qatari students on topics of sustainable development at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF). "Qatar Foundation is honoured to host over 30 students from NTU," said Dennis Roberts, QF Assistant Vice President for Faculty and Student Services. "In partnership with the University of Dubai, the visitors toured Hamad Bin Khalifa University buildings, and interacted with a cross-section of Qatari and international students. The similarities and differences between Singapore's institutions and Qatar's commitment to environmentalism, learning, and cultural understanding were explored through briefings, tours, and student-to-student interaction," he said. Students from NTU, the fastest-rising Asian university and ranked the eighth "Most-Cited Institution in Engineering," by ScienceWatch.com, met Sustainable Living Ambassadors (SLA's), students from Education City who are employed by QF to promote energy efficiency around campus. This year, SLA's are creating a green certification program to recognise and reinforce those around campus who express environmentally-friendly behaviors. Article continues below Rajab A. Al Esmail, Professor at Qatar University (QU) presented Islamic and Qatari culture, which was followed by a Q&A session where Qatari students from Hamad Bin Khalifa University sat on an open panel discussion with NTU students. "If you want to open yourself to new challenges, then you have to accept everybody," Al Esmail said.