Doha College and UDC present Dragons Den in Doha! Doha College, one of Qatar’s leading British Curriculum schools, is preparing to hold its very own version of the popular entrepreneurial BBC television show Dragons' Den which gives entrepreneurs the chance to pitch to a panel of the UK's most successful business people who have pledged to invest their own money in the best ideas. The initiative is being supported by United Development Company (UDC) which, as part of its corporate social responsibility programme, has announced an exclusive partnership with Doha College as part of the school’s Pearl anniversary celebrations. The school is asking its students to come up with creative business ideas which they will then have to pitch to a panel of judges. Two knockout rounds will take place over the coming weeks that will ultimately see the teams with the best ideas go through to a grand final scheduled to take place on 21st March. The participants have to ensure that the ideas they put forward are as realistic and practical as possible, whilst being entrepreneurial and imaginative at the same time. Mark Leppard, Principal at Doha College said: “Coming up with new and exciting ways to inspire and educate our students is of huge importance and we feel that, with this initiative, we are doing just that. Experiences such as this promote higher-level thinking skills on both a creative and critical level whilst the questioning process encourages them to reinterpret and elaborate on their original ideas, and to listen as well as talk. As well as encouraging our students to get creative, working in groups, provides a fantastic opportunity for teamwork. Most importantly it’s fun which is, without a doubt, the best way to learn.” Leppard continued: “Teachers and students alike are equally excited about this project and we are all looking forward to seeing not only what ideas make it through to the final, but to watching the students present these ideas to our panel of Dragons on 21st March.” A whole range of fantastic prizes including iPads and Virgin Megastore vouchers, have been generously donated by UDC and are up for grabs for the lucky team, and runners-up, who manage to convince the Dragons that their idea is the most creative and realistic. To mark 30 years of education in Qatar the celebrations will include a range of events, displays and exhibitions displayed throughout The Pearl – Qatar’s various indoor and outdoor venues, and will run throughout the year. Tickets to the exciting grand finale are available to the public for just 10QR and can be purchased from the Doha College reception. As Doha College is a not for profit school, all proceeds will be donated to local charity, Dhreima (The Qatar Orphanage Foundation). In addition, by handing over tickets on arrival, audience members will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win an Apple iPad. In addition to the Draons’ Den event, UDC will be marking 30 years of education in Qatar with celebrations on The Pearl that will include a variety of exciting events, displays and exhibitions throughout the year. For further information on Doha College and the Dragons’ Den initiative, please visit www.dohacollege.com and be sure to sign up to our facebook page to hear about all our latest news www.facebook.com/dohacollege

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