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Qatar Building Company wins CSR Initiative award

Qatar Building Company saw off tough competition last night to win the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative of the Year at the Construction Week Qatar Awards 2013.

The company was praised as ‘standing out in understanding the broad range of CSR through well planned local community initiatives and improvement schemes for labour and staff.’

Summing up this company’s approach, one judge said this company operates a ‘working and demonstrable CSR policy’.

Nigel Cope, CEO of Coins Group, which sponsored the category, was on stage to present the award to Riad Abu Qaoud, Qatar Building Company’s general manager.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to win and great thanks to Construction Week Qatar,” said Qaoud.

“We have many workers and QBC and we feel it is really important to look after them. We believe it is really important to invest in human beings.”

“We are a good example for other companies to follow in this regard, and despite being one of the leaders, we are constantly looking to improve.”

It was an extremely hard-fought contest, with the judging panel highly commending Arab Engineering Bureau, saying the company is a ‘consistent leader’ in the field and ‘pursuing excellence’ in corporate social responsibility.

In its third year, this edition of the awards was supported by platinum sponsor Hyder Consulting and gold sponsors FAMCO and ETA Star.

A selection of independent industry experts judged the award. The top entries from Qatar will go on to compete against others from across the GCC, in the final of the Construction Week Awards 2013, held in Dubai in December.

Qatar Rail project to benefit local private sector: Sheikh Khalifa

Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani has said the involvement of local companies in the Doha Metro and Rail projects will support the national economy and benefit the country’s private sector.
“The decision of Qatar Rail to integrate Qatari companies in the Doha Metro and Rail projects won by foreign companies’ represents a real support to the country’s economy, strengthens the private sector role and enables it to benefit as much as possible,” he said.
Sheikh Khalifa considered Qatar Rail’s initiative “very useful” for the local companies and provides new vistas of opportunity in a new industrial venture.
“This integration didn’t happen before with any local company in any railway project. Thus, we look forward to seeing the Qatari companies benefiting from the proceeds of the projects carried out in Qatar, which we consider a national right. We wish that all companies will follow Qatar Rail’s strategy in this regard”.
Abdul Aziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, Qatar Development Bank executive director (Strategic Planning and Business Development), said: “There is no doubt that the contribution of local companies in the consortia which were awarded contracts for the Doha Metro Project, will help in transferring the knowledge to these reputed companies.
“This will help reduce risks that may surround the project itself and will definitely support the small and medium enterprises associated with Qatar Rail, which will have a positive impact on the economy”.
Qatar Rail aims at gaining experience and technology and pushes the contribution of private sector in the development process. There are clear and strict instructions from the steering committee, to provide the private sector with all the information needed.
Upon completion of Qatar Railway projects, thousands of job opportunities will be available. There will be a lot of opportunities for the local market.
“For specialised work, Qatar Rail is conducting many programmes to train employees, while there will be some work that will be moved from abroad so that our local market will gain experience from them,” he said.
Qatar Building Company (QBC) managing director Ali Mustafawi said: “The efforts of Qatar Rail to implement such a huge project will have a positive and immediate impact on all business sectors in Qatar. This is especially due to the fact that the scope of work will attract a large number of experienced employees and high-quality foreign companies.
He said this will help small, medium and large businesses to “recover”, especially in real estate, banking, retail, education and health sectors.
“The Qatari construction company is looking to invest its expertise and capacity to build the infrastructure of Qatar through synergy with foreign companies for the construction of underground stations, which is considered one of Qatar’s largest projects”, Mustafawi added.
Qatar Rail project will offer investment opportunities and will develop rail industry in Qatar. It will also help in developing the country’s human resources, since it offers many job opportunities as well.
Providing an opportunity to the private sector is one of Qatar Rail’s top priorities; the company has granted all tenders related to its logistics to Qatari companies.
Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani has said the involvement of local companies in the Doha Metro and Rail projects will support the national economy and benefit the country’s private sector.
“The decision of Qatar Rail to integrate Qatari companies in the Doha Metro and Rail projects won by foreign companies’ represents a real support to the country’s economy, strengthens the private sector role and enables it to benefit as much as possible,” he said.
Sheikh Khalifa considered Qatar Rail’s initiative “very useful” for the local companies and provides new vistas of opportunity in a new industrial venture.
“This integration didn’t happen before with any local company in any railway project. Thus, we look forward to seeing the Qatari companies benefiting from the proceeds of the projects carried out in Qatar, which we consider a national right. We wish that all companies will follow Qatar Rail’s strategy in this regard”.
Abdul Aziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, Qatar Development Bank executive director (Strategic Planning and Business Development), said: “There is no doubt that the contribution of local companies in the consortia which were awarded contracts for the Doha Metro Project, will help in transferring the knowledge to these reputed companies.
“This will help reduce risks that may surround the project itself and will definitely support the small and medium enterprises associated with Qatar Rail, which will have a positive impact on the economy”.
Qatar Rail aims at gaining experience and technology and pushes the contribution of private sector in the development process. There are clear and strict instructions from the steering committee, to provide the private sector with all the information needed.
Upon completion of Qatar Railway projects, thousands of job opportunities will be available. There will be a lot of opportunities for the local market.
“For specialised work, Qatar Rail is conducting many programmes to train employees, while there will be some work that will be moved from abroad so that our local market will gain experience from them,” he said.
Qatar Building Company (QBC) managing director Ali Mustafawi said: “The efforts of Qatar Rail to implement such a huge project will have a positive and immediate impact on all business sectors in Qatar. This is especially due to the fact that the scope of work will attract a large number of experienced employees and high-quality foreign companies.
He said this will help small, medium and large businesses to “recover”, especially in real estate, banking, retail, education and health sectors.
“The Qatari construction company is looking to invest its expertise and capacity to build the infrastructure of Qatar through synergy with foreign companies for the construction of underground stations, which is considered one of Qatar’s largest projects”, Mustafawi added.
Qatar Rail project will offer investment opportunities and will develop rail industry in Qatar. It will also help in developing the country’s human resources, since it offers many job opportunities as well.
Providing an opportunity to the private sector is one of Qatar Rail’s top priorities; the company has granted all tenders related to its logistics to Qatari companies.
Full article in Gulf Times: http://www.gulf-times.com/business/191/details/358379/qatar-rail-project-to-benefit-local-private-sector:-sheikh-khalifa. Full article in Gulf Times: http://www.gulf-times.com/business/191/details/358379/qatar-rail-project-to-benefit-local-private-sector:-sheikh-khalifa.

The “QBC Cares” CSR Program Hosted its Second QBC Blood Donation Campaign in Collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)

(Doha, Qatar) 21 February 2013 – As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pledge towards the community, Qatar Building Company (QBC) held its second annual Blood Donation Campaign yesterday, in partnership with the Blood Donor Unit of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Over 100 staff members from over 20 QBC offices, workshops and site locations volunteered to donate.

Almost 200 QBC Staff Plant a Garden of Trees and Flowers to Celebrate Qatar National Day 2012

(Doha, December 2012) Qatar Building Company (QBC) teamed up with the National Campaign for Ideal Behavior on Thursday to celebrate Qatar National Day by planting a garden of trees and flowers at the Police Training Headquarters in Dukhail.

The event is in line with QBC’s commitment to the Environment in their Corporate Social Responsibility program, “QBC Cares”.

This was the first time that the National Campaign for Ideal Behavior has worked with a private company in the recently launched The Million Trees Campaign, in the spirit of the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (Cop18CMP8) held this year in Doha.

Over 40 trees were planted, including the Qatar’s symbolic Sidr Tree, alongside rows of flowers. The garden will be conserved by personnel from the police force, QBC and NCIB.

(Doha, December 2012) Qatar Building Company (QBC) teamed up with the National Campaign for Ideal Behavior on Thursday to celebrate Qatar National Day by planting a garden of trees and flowers at the Police Training Headquarters in Dukhail.

The event is in line with QBC’s commitment to the Environment in their Corporate Social Responsibility program, “QBC Cares”.

This was the first time that the National Campaign for Ideal Behavior has worked with a private company in the recently launched The Million Trees Campaign, in the spirit of the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (Cop18CMP8) held this year in Doha.

Over 40 trees were planted, including the Qatar’s symbolic Sidr Tree, alongside rows of flowers. The garden will be conserved by personnel from the police force, QBC and NCIB.

Qatar Building Company (QBC) is a Gold Sponsor of 2012 “Engineers Day” Celebration held by the Institution of Engineers (India) Qatar Chapter

Qatar Building Company (QBC) was an official Gold Sponsor as IEI celebrated the 45th Engineers’ Day; the event’s theme revolved around inclusive growth and sustainable development.

(Doha, Qatar) November 2012 – Qatar Building Company (QBC) showed its continued support for sustainable engineering and environmental stewardship by sponsoring the 45th Engineers Day held by the Qatar Chapter of the Institution of Engineers (IEI) India. The grand event, themed “Appropriate Climate,” was held at the Sheraton Doha Hotel, and was attended by more than 300 members.

The celebration hosted a remarkable group of speakers, including high-profile staff of the Indian embassy, a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize recipient who is in the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change – India, the CEO of Doha Bank, and the Chairman of Qatar Society of Engineers, Mr. Ahmed Jassim Al-Jolo.

(Doha, Qatar) November 2012 – Qatar Building Company (QBC) showed its continued support for sustainable engineering and environmental stewardship by sponsoring the 45th Engineers Day held by the Qatar Chapter of the Institution of Engineers (IEI) India. The grand event, themed “Appropriate Climate,” was held at the Sheraton Doha Hotel, and was attended by more than 300 members.

The celebration hosted a remarkable group of speakers, including high-profile staff of the Indian embassy, a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize recipient who is in the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change – India, the CEO of Doha Bank, and the Chairman of Qatar Society of Engineers, Mr. Ahmed Jassim Al-Jolo.

Qatar Building Company (QBC) is a Gold Sponsor of 2012 “Seeing is Believing (SiB)” Golf Tournament held by Standard Chartered Bank at the Doha Gulf Club

Qatar Building Company (QBC) is an official Gold Sponsor of the day-long Golf Tournament held by Standard Chartered Bank at the Doha Golf Club to raise money to help to tackle avoidable (preventable or treatable) blindness. It is a collaboration with International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and leading international eye-care NGOs, to help provide restorative eye surgeries (e.g. cataract operations), training of eye care doctors, and building of training facilities and vision centres.

Key Facts on Blindness*:

  • There are 45 million blind people in the world.
  • There are 314 million people who are seriously visually impaired.
  • 80% of blindness is avoidable (preventable or treatable).
  • A person goes blind every five seconds.
  • A child goes blind every minute.
  • 60% of children die within one year of going blind.
  • 90% of avoidable blindness occurs in the developing world.
  • Two thirds of the world’s blind are women – with serious implications for childcare.
  • Without effective, major intervention, the number of blind people worldwide has been projected to increase to 76 million by 2020.
  • *SOURCE: Standard Chartered website November 2012.

    HBKU hosts dinner honoring Qatar Building Company (QBC) Scholarship

    Hamad bin Khalifa University held a dinner on Wednesday night honoring the Qatar Building Company (QBC) for its ongoing QBC Scholarship program. The special dinner was held at the Hamad bin Khalifa Student Center with upper management from both sides attending.

    Established during the 2005-2006 academic year, the QBC Scholarship program was designed to allow students to continue with their university studies and provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to compete, succeed and lead in Qatar and the global community.

    Since then, QBC has sponsored 15 students throughout their undergraduate studies. Through the program these students have had the opportunity to attend the branch campuses of some of Education City’s leading universities which include Virginia Commonwealth University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Texas A&M University, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University and Northwestern University.

    “The relationship between educational institutions and the private sector is a critical one,” said Mrs. Romy M. Haddad, Public Relations Manager at QBC, who gave the thank you speech at the event. “The interaction creates a synergy that enhances the development of education, the industry, and the greater community,” she continued.

    The QBC Scholarship program supports students who are chosen based on academic performance, disciplinary record, and financial need. QBC plans to continue the QBC Scholarship Program indefinitely.

    Dr. Khalid Mohammed Al Khanji, Vice President of Student Affairs at Hamad bin Khalifa University thanked QBC for their continued support for the scholarship programs at HBKU and stated that such effort stems of deep understanding of the corporate positive role in society and the commitment of QBC to make a positive impact on education in Qatar.

    On accepting the appreciation certificate and crystal trophy, Mr. Ali M. T. Mustafawi, QBC Managing Director, commented: “These scholarships are a part of our ambitious commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. We believe that education is the noblest way to empower our youth and improve the community at large. We fully support Hamad bin Khalifa University and its worthy cause.”

    During the ceremony, students were reminded of their internship opportunity and invited to apply for one of the 6-16 week placements available at QBC: “Education does not stop at the classroom,” Haddad said. “Take every opportunity to learn and develop, starting with an internship at QBC.”

    Each year Hamad bin Khalifa University and the branch campuses award a limited number of merit scholarships. The number of scholarships awarded has grown to their present level thanks to generous donations from prominent individuals, private and public institutions such as the Qatar Building Company.

    These donations enables Hamad bin Khalifa University and the branch campuses to award full tuition merit scholarships to undergraduate students with outstanding academic qualifications, further emphasizing its commitment to creativity, learning and education.