Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation Honors Winners Of The 2024/2025 Destination Imagination Program

Doha, Qatar: Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation (ALF Foundation) held an awards ceremony to honor the winning school teams in the 10th edition of the Destination Imagination program for the 2024/2025 academic year.

The program, implemented by ALF Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, has been running in public and private schools across Qatar for the past decade.

The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation, Maha Zayed Al-Qaqa Al-Ruwaili, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Omar Abdul Aziz Al Naama, Assistant Undersecretary for Private Education Affairs, Engineer Abdullatif Ali Al-Yafei, the General Manager of Al-Faisal Without Borders Foundation, and Mona Al Helbawi, the General Manager of Al Rayyan Investment in Culture, Education, Leisure, and Sports Group at Al Faisal Holding (ARIES Group).

Also in attendance were ambassadors from Arab and foreign countries, university representatives, school principals, and educational professionals in Qatar.

Honoring Excellence and Expanding Global Reach

In his opening speech, His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani“expressed his delight at attending the ceremony to recognize the outstanding school teams that participated in the 10th edition of Destination Imagination.

He emphasized ALF Foundation's commitment to delivering innovative programs that foster the development of students' skills across all age groups.

His Excellency highlighted that the participation of international teams in this year's regional championship is a testament to the program's success and Qatar's excellence in its execution.

He also extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for their continued support over the years, Qatar University for hosting the national championship for the third consecutive year, and all participating schools for their dedication.”

Engineer Abdullatif Ali Al-Yafei, the General Manager of Al-Faisal Without Borders Foundation,“reiterated the foundation's vision of leadership through programs that enrich Qatari culture and share its rich heritage with the world.

He noted that Destination Imagination is an internationally recognized program implemented in over 30 countries and more than 50 U.S. states. Over the past nine years, it has impacted more than 30,000 students in Qatar's public and private schools.

For the 2024/2025 edition, 104 public and private schools participated, forming 222 teams with nearly 2,000 students across various academic levels. This year also saw participation from student teams from Poland, competing alongside Qatari school and university teams in a special Destination Imagination challenge.

This international engagement further underscores Qatar's efforts to develop and expand the program globally.

The local championship, held on February 14-15 at Qatar University's College of Education, showcased the remarkable creativity and innovation of participating students.

Engineer Al-Yafei highlighted the program's role in integrating non-traditional learning methods into school activities, helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

He also noted that Destination Imagination serves as a unique platform to highlight Qatar's rich culture and showcase students' talents to over 10,000 global participants in the program's international championship, set to take place in May in Kansas, USA.

He extended his deep appreciation to His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani for his unwavering support, to Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed Al Khater, Minister of Education and Higher Education, for her continued endorsement of ALF Foundation's programs, and to Qatar University President, Dr. Omar bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, for hosting the national championship. Gratitude was also expressed to the judges, volunteers, and ALF Foundation staff for their contributions.”

During her address, Maha Zayed Al-Qaqa Al-Ruwaili, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education“emphasized the significance of this achievement, recognizing the dedication of students in striving for excellence.

She reaffirmed the Ministry's vision of "A Pioneering Learner for Sustainable Development," which aims to create an integrated educational environment that nurtures leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, and innovation, equipping students to make well-informed decisions and tackle future challenges.

She further noted that Destination Imagination aligns with this vision by fostering communication skills, creativity, and critical thinking, preparing students to navigate an ever-evolving world with confidence and competence.”

A Celebration of Creativity and Diversity

School team leaders praised the program for its impact on students, particularly in enhancing teamwork, imagination, and innovation. They expressed gratitude to ALF Foundation for providing a dynamic cultural and educational platform for public and private schools in Qatar.

The competition saw intense rivalry among teams striving for first place in the local championship. Participants also appreciated the program's emphasis on cultural diversity, which was a core element of the event.

This year's championship featured a rich array of creative expressions, including costumes and decorations from early childhood education teams, as well as contributions from students of determination, reinforcing the program's commitment to inclusivity.

Additionally, Qatari and international schools showcased impressive engineering, technology, and scientific challenges, demonstrating student-driven innovations in robotics and artificial intelligence.

The diversity in project approaches was highly praised by the judging panel, reflecting the growing creative capabilities of students in Qatar and the country's commitment to advancing education.

Commitment to Continuous Development

As Destination Imagination evolves, ALF Foundation remains committed to refining the program to align with rapid advancements, particularly in AI and education.

The foundation extended its gratitude to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for their trust and collaboration in implementing the program across public and private schools for the past decade.

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