Sama Nama Program graduates honoured

DOHA: Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday honoured the first generation of social entrepreneurs for “Sama Nama”  Program at the graduation ceremony of the first generation of ‘Sama Nama’ program at QNCC.
The ceremony marked the graduation of 17 young men and women selected from more than 500 applicants for the program, which culminated in three months of work, training, and travel abroad.  The ceremony was attended by the officials of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, Nama’s staff, and administration, members of civil society entities and families of the participants.
Sama Nama program is a project to develop the capacities of Qatari youth from 18 to 35 years and invest in their energies through a variety of activities that encourage them to come up with innovative initiatives that are in line with community needs.
The participants presented the outputs of their innovative projects. During the ceremony, Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani distributed the certificates along with awards and trophies. Talking to The Peninsula, Mohammed Al Housani, Qatari participant of Sama Nama, said: “Initially the program was tough, we faced a lot of challenges on daily basis. Since we started training we found it very innovative to become a social entrepreneur.” Mohammed Al Housani added: “Youth is the power of the nation, we believe that what we learned in three month time periods, every young person should register themselves in this program. I and my other participants became a family during this program.”

A video of all stages of the project was displayed during the ceremony followed by a discussion session on social entrepreneurship by Qatari entrepreneur Maryam Al Kuwari and Ghanem Al Sulaiti, who made evident social contributions through their projects.
Mariam bint Abdul Latif Al Mannai, Acting Director of Nama, delivered a speech about the importance of these programs as they focus on promoting Qatari youth, its role, productivity, involvement in social and voluntary work.
She also stressed that Qatari society is determined to invest in human capital, expressing her pride in opportunities and innovative ideas that ‘Sama Nama’ presented to Qatari youth.
The program has attracted many talents including an Arab inventor from the starts of science program and others from multiple professional and academic backgrounds, such as international affairs, media, electronic engineering, medicine, management, tourism, oil, and gas along several graduates from universities and high schools.
Amaal bint Abdul Latif Al Mannai, CEO of Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW), told the newspaper that: “Sama Nama aims to develop young social entrepreneurs in Qatari society. Social entrepreneurship is new in our region. This program was of three weeks which was held in Qatar and abroad, which included lectures, workshops and physical activities. This project brought the best proposal in the light. I am proud to see these young Qatari girls and boys completing this program flawlessly.”
Talking about the upcoming projects, she said “Qatari” (My decision) project idea came out of the necessity to introduce Qatari youth to the available educational opportunities. “The “Silah” (link) project is focused on being the link and a logistic support for various new youth energies and emerging ideas, finding and channeling suitable exhibitions for them,” said Amaal.
The graduates were selected after passing the training stages and implementing all the practical requirements of the program, the participants were able to work independently and implement social initiatives and projects before submitting reports about them to the jury. The jury evaluated and decided on the graduates, and also provided guidance and discussed experiences.
The jury included Amaal Bint Abdullatif Al Mannai, CEO of Qatar Foundation for Social Work; Sabah Al Haidous, CEO of Silatech Foundation; Dr Khaled Abdul Qadir, Dean of Management and Economics Faculty at Qatar University; Dr Issa Al Hurr, Youth Affairs Counselor at the Ministry of Culture and Sports; Mashael Al Nuaimi, Qatar Foundation’s Development Director, Yarub Bourahamah, Founder of Light Bug Media and Founding Member of the Protegs program; and Jassim Abdallah Al Sane, Investment Services Manager at Citigroup.