PRESS RELEASES
ROTA Summer Vocational Pilot Program
Doha , 16th July 2007 - In keeping with its remit to further education for all, Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) is piloting a scheme for students here in Qatar - the ROTA 2007 Summer Vocational Program.
Ras Gas, Commercial Bank, Queen Dental Clinic and Rydges Plaza Doha are each taking part in the vocational program and will give 10 students the chance to learn about their respective industries.
Mohamed Farid - Gulf English School, Fatima Raja - Al Jazeera Academy, Arelaine Guilles - ASD, Yousef Nor-eldeen - Al Wakrah Independent Secondary School for Boys, and Juan Sanchez - ASD.
At Ras Gas, the student interns will be introduced to the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry. Rotating weekly, they will work in five different departments. Field trips to Ras Gas sites will also be a feature of the internship.
Recent graduate from Al Jazeera Academy, Fatima Raja, spoke of her excitement about the upcoming internship. "ROTA is the pride of the children that take part in its several volunteering activities and those who benefit from them throughout Asia. ROTA's Summer internship program will not only allow me to work in Ras Gas's huge professional business organization, but will also give me an idea of how its several sectors integrate to accomplish its many goals as the company expands and grows. I am thrilled to be part of another of ROTA's activities and hope to get a lot of knowledge and experience out of it!"
Student interns joining Commercial Bank will be learning through practical experience in a number of departments. Tasks will include visiting various branches and working in the fields of customer service, accounting, communications, IT and administration.
Chief Human Resources Officer at Commercial Bank, Norlida Azmi-Loe, was enthusiastic about the forthcoming summer program "At Commercial bank, we are committed to the development of talent, not only within the bank, but also in the communities that we serve. Our CB Summer 2007 Internship Program has been structured to support eligible students from universities and schools here in Qatar to obtain experiential knowledge of banking and the operations within the financial industry. They are assigned to areas in the banks that closely compliment the specific discipline or degree that they are working towards." Ms Azmi-Loe went on to highlight the opportunities for personal development which the internship experience can offer students. "This program allows the students to be introspective about their personal growth objectives, their strengths and areas for development in a professional organizational context and lend practical career input in their pursuit of higher academic qualifications."
Dr Mamdouh Farid, Queen Dental Clinic, Lisa Bseiso ROTA & Sheldon Menezes ASD
Queen Dental clinic will be taking students interested dentistry as a career option. Experience will be gained in sterilization procedures, observation, administrative work, lab functions, dental apparatus and reception.
At Rydges Plaza Doha, the youngsters will receive an introduction to hotel management and will be rotating through various departments including Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Front Office, Finance and Reception.
Mike Ritchson, a student at the American School of Doha and an active member of ROTA's volunteer program, will be working at Rydges Plaza Doha. He spoke about how the opportunity will give him an excellent grounding in the industry he hopes to enter in the future. "It is a privilege to be a volunteer at ROTA And this has created for me a very good opportunity to work for Rydges Hotel as an intern, giving me a chance to gain experience in hotel management, a field I am looking forward to have as a career."
General Manager at the Rydges Plaza Doha, Matt Lawton also emphasized the benefits of the scheme for the companies involved. "We were delighted to be chosen to participate with the ROTA Summer Vocational Program. Reach Out to Asia is a wonderful charity initiative and this involvement not only shows Rydges support for their activities, but also showcases the hospitality industry to potential executives of the future".
Matt Lawson GM - Rydges Plaza Doha, Lisa Bseiso ROTA Mike Ritchson & Mohammed Morsi ASD
All participating students attended an orientation with ROTA during which the roles and responsibilities were outlined. Each company also held a student orientation day prior to the start of the program, so that company rules and regulations, dress codes, job responsibilities and expectations could be discussed.
Beyond enhancing their education, the students have the opportunity to explore possible career paths and discover more about themselves or their professional skills. Practical experience in a real working environment will set these students apart from other candidates when later seeking a career and be a great addition to their resumes. The contacts gained will also be of great value to the intern.
As the interns will be working within their chosen field of interest they are expected to be a dynamic and motivated addition to their host companies.
ROTA Program Coordinator, Lisa Bseiso commented on the benefits of forging links between students and local industries here in Qatar and the positive impact the scheme can offer students at this early stage in their development. "Reach out to Asia achieved another milestone towards its mission of achieving QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALLwith the successful linking of high school students to key local industries This experience will give Qatar's young students exposure to the work environment, as well as practical experience while working closely with top professionals. Moreover, this vocational program will further enhance the student's scope and interest on pre-university majors as well as provide a great example of industry participation in the enhancement of education."
The Summer Vocational Program is likely to become an annual event and the number of both companies and students increased in coming years.
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Mohammed Abu Shaikha & Norlida Azmi from Commercial Bank, Khurram Soomro & Ammar Moosa ASD.