- Initiative by Qatar Green Center, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Environment, draws strong response from schools in Qatar
- GE Volunteers train 12 schools on the project over the past four months
Doha, Qatar; May 7, 2012: The 'green student champions' from 12 schools in Qatar were honored today at an award ceremony that was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Faleh Bin Nasser Al Thani, Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture and Director, General Department for Agricultural Research & Development, Ministry of Environment and organized by its subsidiary 'Qatar Green Center' and GE (NYSE: GE).
Over 115 students and principals from 12 educational institutions in Qatar who took part in the 'My School, My Farm' project launched by Qatar Green Center and supported by GE Volunteers, received their awards from His Excellency Dr. Sheikh Faleh Bin Nasser Al Thani.
At a special ceremony organized at the GE Advanced Research & Technology Center at Qatar Science & Technology Park, representatives of the Qatar Ministry of Environment, Qatar Green Center, GE and Al Attoria Research Station joined to congratulate the students and principals for their committed participation in greening nature and upholding the importance of agriculture. The event was a strong testament to the various community initiatives led by GE Volunteers -- employees of the company who take part in community services and initiatives to make a difference in the lives of people.
'My School, My Farm' was a unique project, held through December 2011 to March 2012, whereby students set up a farm, undertaking all the agricultural practices that are routinely followed. GE Volunteers took an active role in promoting the initiative by collaborating with the 12 schools through Qatar Green Center.
To support the project, GE Volunteers visited the Al Otouria Agriculture Research Station in coordination with Department of Agriculture for special training sessions, and shared the knowledge of agricultural best practices with the students. They also undertook training sessions led by specialized engineers at Qatar Green Center, especially in relation to taking care of the crops and their harvest. The volunteers visited the schools periodically to assist in the progress of the projects.
Nabil Habayeb, GE's President & Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said: "The 'My School, My Farm' project by Qatar Green Center at Ministry of Environment is a landmark initiative that will serve as a model for all countries. Our partnership in the project underlines our commitment to involve in events that help bring a tangible difference to the community we serve in. With a long history of partnerships in Qatar, GE's support to the project was doubly significant as served as a perfect fit to our ecomagination initiative, which aims to make business environment-friendly. We will continue to work with such initiatives in Qatar, where we have unveiled several long-term initiatives."
"We would like to thank the Ministry of Environment represented by Qatar Green Center for giving us this opportunity to contribute and connect with the Qatari community through the support of 'My School, My Farm' project and we look forward to working with the Ministry again in the near future," Habayeb added.
GE has a strong history of public-private partnerships in Qatar, in key economic sectors including energy, aviation, healthcare and oil & gas. The company underlined its commitment to the country with the opening of the GE Advanced Technology & Research Center, as well as the opening of the GE Oil & Gas Center of Excellence.
GE coordinates volunteer efforts company-wide by keeping a close eye on societal needs and inviting all employees to build stronger communities where the company serves in. GE's employees volunteer over 1 million hours of community service every year. During Global Community Days, the staff members coordinate their efforts company-wide to address urgent projects around the world.
Kelly Home
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
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+971 4 4507 600
Nivine William
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
[email protected]
+971 4 4507 600
Caroline Wehbeh
GE Communications Leader, North Africa
[email protected]
+971 4 429 6318