INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Hamilton International School and American School of Doha offer a well-rounded education that focuses on teaching 21st century skills and cultivating productive global citizens.
What is the competitive advantage of a new school like Hamilton?
TERRY SENIOR We are part of the International Schools Partnership. We went through the process of employing staff and getting our name out there before we were able to enroll. At present, our enrollment is at 236, which is a good start. We are a premium school; therefore, our fees are in a higher bracket, but with that, you get outstanding facilities, and incredible teaching and learning. My main emphasis was to ensure that outstanding teachers are willing to come onboard at Hamilton. I had a lot of interviews until I was able to handpick the right teachers. We have many afterschool activities run by our teachers, including martial arts, swimming, basketball, tennis, gym, dance, cooking, science experiments, and ballet. In our facilities, we have 80 standard classrooms, nine science laboratories, three libraries, three music rooms, two full-size examination centers, and two cafeterias. We also want to ensure that our communication with parents is second to none, as parents are eager to know what is happening in the classroom.
What is the role of your institution in Qatar?
THOMAS L. HAWKINS The American School of Doha was founded in 1988. It was founded by the US embassy in partnership with Qatari partners and the business sector. At that time, some of the American companies were bringing in more people. Since 1988, they have maintained a board of trustees that is still headed by the US embassy. Because of that, we are considered a community school in Doha. We are a not-for-profit school that serves the American expatriate community in Doha. We have about 80 different nationalities, but most of our children and teaching staff are American. When you add Canadians, about 80% of our teaching staff is from North American and about 50% of our student population is North American. We cater to those expats looking for an American education. There are far fewer American schools than British schools in Qatar. The growth in the education market has led to the need for international schools and curriculum. We have grown to 2,250 students, from a starting number of about 80. We have expanded several times. We do not anticipate growing anymore. We are currently operating at maximum capacity.
What is your contribution to creating a developed and modern society in Qatar?
TS What is really important is to teach students about social awareness. By being in an international school, the students are exposed to a whole variety of different nationalities and cultures. Developing students' open-mindedness supports them in an international environment. We are a part of the global village and all our students travel, so having an international outlook and mindset is important. An important premise behind that is caring for each other. For example, we raise money for cancer patients. We are working on becoming a waste-neutral school. All this comes under the umbrella of caring. When our students leave our school, they will be important decision makers in the future, so creating that awareness of a better future for themselves and for others is important.
How are you ensuring that Qataris of the future are ready for a diversified economy?
TLH One of our distinguishing features is our adherence to school values and teaching kids about our core values. We also ensure kids have access to the STEM curriculum, along with the arts, at a young age. We have a robotics program for elementary school sponsored by one of our corporate sponsors, Chevron-Phillips. We also have a full after-school activities program, which is one of the distinguishing features of American schools. As an educational institution, we believe academics, arts, athletics, and activities are all part of a child's development. We want our students to get into the schools that are the best fit for them, to get a get a great tertiary education, and to go on and make an impact in the world. Approximately 12% of our kids are Qatari. We have great partnerships with local businesses and organizations. We give our kids amazing opportunities to be successful in academics, athletics, and activities. We are the only school that offers both the IB and AP programs.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
read articleInterview
Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
read articleInterview
Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
read articleInterview
Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
read articleInterview
Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
read articleInterview
Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
read articleInterview
Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
read articleFocus
A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
read articleInterview
Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
read article
