CCQ Newsletter: Vantage Point (March 2012)
CCQ Marching Forward
From student written articles to faculty staff editorials, the CCQ Newsletter “Vantage Point” is aimed at providing you the current news and view points of CCQ, faculty, staff and students.
— Gigi Do, Executive Director of HCC’s Office of International Initiatives.
CCQ continues to grow and develop at the same pace the larger Qatari community it serves grows and develops. Our top story “Social Growth at CCQ” examines the increasing activity and involvement of student run clubs, beginning with CCQ’s largest student run organization, C-Ring’s Business Club.
 Printable version (PDF) |
President Shaikha Saoud Al-Qahtani sat down with Vantage Point and shared her hopes and dreams for her club and what plans they have this year. The full interview is in this month’s edition, along with news of CCQ’s first official website and an article on last month’s Sports Day. — Edward.Feighny@CCQ.Edu.Qa
Social growth at CCQ
As the Business Club crowds around the triangular table within C-Ring’s Learning Center, Accounting Professor and Faculty Sponsor Tracey Crowe takes a deep breath as he sits down at the back of the room. Minutes later, the quiet serenity is replaced by a barrage of commotion. Arabic and English mix as proposals are uttered and scribbled on the adjacent dry-erase board. For the next hour, the club members will discuss the possible events they will host for the remainder of the year. “They’re all excited to be a part of some-thing new,” Professor Crowe stated.
The C-Ring Business Club, while one of the largest clubs on campus, is not the only student-run organization at CCQ. In fact, the total number of social organizations at both campuses has increased and so have the number of partici-pants. Ranging from college specific organizations such as the Student Government to more hobby-based clubs such as Professor Bernadette Russo’s Photography Group, social growth seems to be on the rise at CCQ. For many students, social clubs are an opportunity to become more involved in the college and interact with other students. Another benefit of participating in a CCQ Club is the opportunity to network in an open and encouraging environment. This process of building relationships could one day be helpful in business or other enterprises.
“They’re all excited to be a part of something new.”
While it may be tempting to join as many organizations on campus as possible, students should also consider how much time participating in a student club can take. Ideally, being part of 2 or 3 student organizations is good. Any-thing more than this and the student may find it hard to balance school work, family life, and club demands all at once. Yet this also depends on how active the student organizations are. Look into how often they meet, whether it is once a month or twice a week for example, before determining whether it is the right club for you. When joining a club, it is important to first think about what you hope to gain from the experience and then make your choice. For more information about student activities and college events, contact Mashael Al-Mohammadi at Mashael.almohammadi@ccq.edu.qa for more information.
Showtime
Last December, Vantage Point reported “Molokiaphobia,” a comedy by CCQ stu-dents Abdullah Haroon Al-Ali (Director), Yousef Sabri (Author), Saad Al-Awlan, Mo-hammed Al-Shaiba, and Professor Linda Bolet was shown as part of the Doha Film Institute’s 1-Minute Workshop during the Doha-Tribeca Film Festival. Recently, that same film was shown during the opening night of Doha’s first annual Gulf Coast Cinema Event. Abdullah Haroon Al-Ali was in attendance and was pleased the film received such great response from the Gulf Coast audience.
“We are hopefully going to be able to start up with DFI very soon and create another short (film) and perhaps also participate in collecting oral histories for a project for the new museum,” commented Professor Bolet.
The film can be found online at the Doha Film Institute website: http://www.dohafilminstitute.com/videos/molokiaphobia
Students
CCQ&A: An Interview with Shaikha Al-Qahtani, President and Founder of C-Ring’s Business Club
The Business Club was established in the spring of 2011. Professor Somaye Najafi and Professor Tracey Crowe are the club’s faculty sponsors. Shaikha’s previous work includes summer training at Al-Jazeera and volunteering three years for many career fairs. She is now a volunteer coordinator.
“In Qatar we have many options. If you work hard you will have good results.” — Shaikha Al-Qahtani
Zahraa Ajine (Vantage Point): Good Afternoon Shaikha
Shaikha Al-Qahtani: Good Afternoon
Zahraa: So tell us a little about bit about the Business Club and what got you started?
Shaikha: I started the club as a way to connect student life with my interests in business. Then I encouraged my friends to join. I was persistent and finally convinced them to join and be a part of some-thing different from studying. We now staff the club ourselves. Our logo is pink and orange. Orange stands for vitality and youth. Pink represents this as a ladies club.
Zahraa: So what visions and goals do you have for the future?
Shaikha: Our vision is to become successful businesswomen. Some students have their own business ideas, so the club supports those ideas. Reem has a Vodafone project; other members have cupcake business ideas, and so on. We also wish to work with other organizations, businesses, and clubs in the future. Other members have backgrounds in conferencing.
Zahraa: Sounds very exciting. So can you tell me who are a few of your personal heroes?
Shaikha: You can’t choose specific heroes, but you can choose qualities from specific people.
Shaikha attributes the Business Club to helping her develop her communication skills, teaching her how to work with groups, and to learn from her mistakes. Shaikha had certain business goals and ambitions before beginning her education, but the business club shed a brighter light on where she sees herself in the future. She sees herself developing her goals even more in the future with the help of the Business Club. She and her members want to follow the 2030 National Vision and hope to have a good experience when graduating.
Future events may include a large international event or shopping fair. They would also like to host a cultural and entertainment student trip. Shaikha summed up her views as business in Qatar as stating, “In Qatar we have many options. If you work hard you will have good results.”
C-Ring’s Business Club Officers:
• Shaikha Al-Qahtani, President
• Eiman Hussin, Vice President
• Reem Al-Merri, Volunteer Coordinator
• Sara Al-Qahtani, Marketing
• Moza Sultan, Coordinator
Why should you join a student organization?
By Gregory Twidal
Networking: Helps you with your career through building important relationships
Social Interaction: Teaches you how to interact with people on a cooperative project building friend-ships along the way.
Professional Experience: Lets you practice for your next big career move.
Leadership Skills: Gives you an opportunity to run for officer and teaches you what it takes to be a leader.
Develop other important skills: Teaches you organization skills and teamwork.
February 14 was National Sports Day in Qatar
CCQ Students, faculty, staff and family members spent the day together enjoying the sun, the sand, and some friendly competition organized and coordinated by the CCQ Sports Club. Al-most 100 members of the CCQ family made the short trip to the Qatar Olympic Committee winter camp near Sealine Beach Resort. The sports activities started promptly with volleyball, football, and basketball matches between mixed teams of students, employees, and family members. There was also a Zumba workout class given by a certified instructor, as well as walking trips along the beach and in the sand dunes.
After a short break for some healthy snacks – fruit, water, and juice – the games continued with more volleyball and basketball, a three-legged race, a 100 meter sprint, and an egg-and-spoon race. CCQ Acting President, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naimi and Acting Dean, Dr. Butch Herod, participated in the activities. After all the events had been completed, Dr. Ibrahim handed out medals to the day’s winners.
The CCQ family returned to Doha a bit tired, but dedicated to continuing the healthy inclusion of sports in the lives of students, faculty, and staff. The event was organized by the CCQ Sports Club, Student Activities Department, and Student Government Vice-President and President of the Sports Club, Mr. Ahmed Al-Hassan, as well as CCQ Sports Club Sponsor Dr. Manhal Chbat.
February 14 was National Sports Day in Qatar. CCQ Students, faculty, staff and family members spent the day together enjoying the sun, the sand, and some friendly competition organized and coordinated by the CCQ Sports Club. Al-most 100 members of the CCQ family made the short trip to the Qatar Olympic Committee winter camp near Sealine Beach Resort. The sports activities started promptly with volleyball, football, and basketball matches between mixed teams of students, employees, and family members. There was also a Zumba workout class given by a certified instructor, as well as walking trips along the beach and in the sand dunes. After a short break for some healthy snacks – fruit, water, and juice – the games continued with more volleyball and basketball, a three-legged race, a 100 meter sprint, and an egg-and-spoon race.
CCQ Acting President, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Naimi and Acting Dean, Dr. Butch Herod, participated in the activities. After all the events had been completed, Dr. Ibrahim handed out medals to the day’s winners. The CCQ family returned to Doha a bit tired, but dedicated to continuing the healthy inclusion of sports in the lives of students, faculty, and staff. The event was organized by the CCQ Sports Club, Student Activities Department, and Student Government Vice-President and President of the Sports Club, Mr. Ahmed Al-Hassan, as well as CCQ Sports Club Sponsor Dr. Manhal Chbat. More photos of Sports Day can be found at: https://picasaweb.google.com/109920249075722755409/NationalSportsDayCCQ2012?
CCQ Online
The Community College of Qatar is pleased to announce the launching of its interim website at http://ccq.edu.qa/. Several CCQ departments collaborated with the IT department to provide a user-friendly site with plenty of useful information for prospective & current students, faculty, staff as well as the community. Now you can also read Vantage-Point, check out our degree plans, access important links, and much more from the new CCQ website.
Vantage Point Contacts
Edward Feighny
Editor-in-Chief
Edward.Feighny@ccq.edu.qa
Dr. Abdulnassir Al-Tamimi
Editor
Abdul@ccq.edu.qa
Gregory Twidal / Zahraa Ajine
Design & Style
Gregory.Twidal@ccq.edu.qa
Zahraa.Ajine@ccq.edu.qa
Write to Vantage Point at Edward.feighny@ccq.edu.qa
