The Inclusion and Special Needs Support Center at Qatar University (QU) yesterday hosted an event in commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, under the patronage of Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Themed “Yes I Can”, the event was organised in collaboration with the Department of Psychological Sciences at QU College of Education (CED) and in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and Hamad Medical Corporation.
It aimed to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
The event attracted over 300 attendees from institutions from the private and public sectors. Attendees included QU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr Khalid Al Khanji, Qatari actor Ghanem Al Sulaiti, Qatari scientist Mohammed Al Jufairi, and Inclusion and Special Needs Support Center Consultant Dr Khalid Khader, as well as faculty, staff and students from QU Inclusion and Special Needs Support Center.
The event saw the honoring of 16 students who graduated from QU Inclusion and Special Needs Support Center. This is the first batch of students to graduate from the center. They received gifts from the Ministry of Interior and trophies from QU.
The program agenda featured the screening of a short video titled “I Can” produced by students from QU Inclusion and Special Needs Support Center, a play performed by Qatari actor Ghanem Al Sulaiti, and a musical performance by students from QU Inclusion and Special Needs Support Center and their peers.
It also included national hymns by the center’s students and a presentation by Qatari scientist Mohammed Al Jufairi in which he gave an overview on robots integrating natural language and gesture, as well as a play presented by the center’s female students.
Also on the program was an exhibition of paintings created by students from QU and institutions from the private and public sectors such as the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and Al Tamakon School.
In his remarks, Dr Khalid Al Khanji said: “Persons with special needs are an essential part of the Qatari society. They play a pivotal role in the country’s growth and progress. This event highlights the achievements of the State of Qatar in supporting the persons with disabilities, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.”
Dr Khalid Khader said: “This event underlines the commitment of the Inclusion and Special Needs Support Center to strengthen links with local institutions from the private and public sectors and to raise the awareness of community members on persons with disabilities and orient them on the advantages of involving people with special needs in various professions. It also shows QU’s commitment to inclusion of people with disabilities into all areas of society.”
