Global Arab Network | Qatar: Innovative Education Methods Bridging Relations

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Qatar: Innovative Education Methods Bridging Relations

Global Arab Network - - Ammar Shikhani

Sunday, 29 May 2011 21:46

Qatar Innovative Education Methods Bridging Relations

Global Arab Network - Linking the learning of a foreign language to its people, culture, history and encouraging youth exchange programmes would help bridging the social and cultural divide between the West and Middle Eastern societies, key officials of an organisation that works towards the betterment of individuals and communities through innovative education said.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Qatar Foundation International's (QFI) Executive Director Maggie Mitchell Salem said, "Learning other languages can help bridge communities when two critical components are included – culture and youth exchanges, both real and virtual." Linking language to people, history and society of the region, and having exchange programmes between young people in the West and those in Middle East would help in clearing misconceptions and build bridges, she said. Founded in 2007 and Washington-based the QFI is a non-profit organization which promotes education as a force that facilitates collaboration across geographical, social and cultural boundaries.

The QFI is funded by Qatar Foundation (QF) and works to build a network of global citizens who communicate effectively and together find solutions to global problems.

QFI Board member Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari said, "We are trying to bridge the cultural divide through the medium of education and teaching Arabic language in an innovative way. Rather than just teaching Arabic language to students in the US and Latin America we have complemented the traditional teaching methods by including mathematics and science to make it more interesting for students."

The cultural gap between students from the West and the Middle East is not as wide as it appears, Salem's experience with QFI programmes shows. "When you watch 13-18 year old boys and girls from the US and Qatar meet each other for the first time - face-to-face, through Cisco's TelePresence videoconferencing, or online - you don''t get much of a sense of ''the cultural divide'', she said. "Children have their own way of connecting; around music, X-Box games, movies and other shared interests. The goal is to find ways of deepening that connection.

YALLAH, QFI's innovative online student forum, is one way to continue those interactions," said Salem. Asked whether the clash of civilisations and the divide that exists has more to do with ideology, liberty, religion rather than language barriers? Salem said, "I do not believe in a ''clash''. I do believe the rush of information, much of it erroneous, and the speed at which the world is developing can contribute to gross distortions and misunderstandings that foster an ''us'' and ''them'' divide between developed and developing communities, even within the same country. "In the US, for example, some private or well-financed public schools can afford to offer multiple languages; at the schools we support, studying Arabic, culture-related guest speakers and trips would not be possible without QFI''s support.

Even in Qatar, some students would find it very difficult to travel to the US and spend 10 days on a science and technology programme unless QFI provided that opportunity." QFI''s programmes are devised to collaborate, foster interaction and build cross cultural friendships among students as well as teachers through exchange visits.
QFI's Arabic programme includes both components (culture and youth exchanges) to provide American and Brazilian students a far richer language learning experience and to provide Qatari students with the opportunity to show-off their country, culture and learn about the others''," said Salem.

The QFI has built a global network of schools and other educational institutions focused on learning language or cultural exchanges, through its Arabic Language and Culture Initiative (ALCI). "Currently five schools each in Qatar and the US are involved in the exchange programme," said Al Kuwari.

"There is a selection criteria for including students in the programme. The concerned schools recommend students to the QFI." Despite the initiative to bring communities closer through innovative education and exchange progammes doubts linger in the minds of some parents. "We are co-ordinating with the US Embassy here to help create awareness among parents in the US to clear their apprehensions about sending their children to study in the Gulf," said Al Kuwari.

The embassy's inputs helped towards the success of QFI''s one such exchange programme which saw a group of students from the US visit and experience Qatar first hand last month. Hailing the programme, US Ambassador to Qatar Joseph LeBaron told QNA, "QFI''s efforts to connect Qatari and American young people through language instruction are so important.

As a career diplomat, I know how important it is to know several languages. Arabic and English are two of the most important. Through a shared language, be it Arabic or English or any other language, we understand each other much better. We are better able to build a future together."

Some of the QFI's Cultural Exchange alumni reiterated Ambassador LeBaron's view of building a better future together in their blogs. Emina Hadzic from Lincoln Park High School, Chicago, wrote, "I feel that it is important to learn about other countries and their people; to step out of you comfort zone or boundaries and completely immerse yourself in your surroundings.

It helps you gain a better understanding or perspective not just on others but yourself." Omar bin Al Khattab Secondary School for Boys Mahmoud Al Neama said, "I know that Americans are more than what we see in Hollywood or in media. I realised how big the universe is and how small our minds are, and no matter what, people always should respect each other and that’s what I saw in the BAA and DC students and chaperons - how they respected us and respected our religion." Aisha Al Asfar, Dania Al Qatami and Dana Ahen from Al Bayan Educational Complex for Girls said, "This trip broke the ice between students, where each one of us was ambassador of his/her own country." Al Kuwari echoed the girls view. "In the long term these students can be ambassadors for both the countries as we are endeavouring to create mixed communities because students can be friends forever," he said. (qna)
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