SDC Announces Winners of Reyada and Volunteer Awards Programs Grand Joint Ceremony held for SDC Awards; H.H. Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani took the Stage to Present Volunteer Awards The Social Development Center (SDC), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, held the SDC Awards Ceremony yesterday in a prestigious event announcing winners of its two most celebrated awards programs – Reyada Award for the Qatari Entrepreneur and SDC’s Volunteer Awards. The joint ceremony was held at the Qatar National Convention Center on Tuesday, April 16th. The awards were presented to the winners by Her Highness Sheikha Al-Mayassa Bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museum Authority, accompanied by Amal Al Mannai, Executive Director, SDC, as well as a number of VIPs and renowned figures in Qatari society. The late Sheikh Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Ansari bin was honoured the Honorary Volunteer Award in its 11th Edition. Commenting on the occasion Amal Al Mannai, Executive Director, SDC, said: “Today is an exceptional day for SDC. We are so honored and excited to recognise some of the brightest entrepreneurs as well as highly committed and motivated volunteers in Qatar.” “Last year, both awards ceremonies were a huge success. Winners from both have gone on to do some wonderful things for Qatar, and we have the same expectations this time around. SDC is grateful to its partners, including Qatar Islamic Bank and Occidental Qatar - sponsors of the Reyada Awards – and Qatar Olympic Committee and Aspire Zone Foundation – sponsors of the Volunteer Awards. By supporting us in our efforts to foster an environment which is ideal for entrepreneurship and volunteer work, they are contributing to the improvement and sustainability of Qatari society and economy,” she added. Nominations for the Volunteer awards were divided across five different categories covering individuals, enterprises, and institutions, as well as academic research and projects. This year, 43 nominations have been received in the Individual Awards category, followed by 20 in science projects, 18 in other projects, 9 in student activities, and five in the enterprises categories. Winners of the Individual Volunteer Award were Eng. Faraj Saleh Al Merri, Sabah Rabiee Al Kuwari, Hissa Nasser Al Naser and Abdullah Mahmoud Abdullah. On the other hand Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) won the Projects Award category for their project “New Life, while Ahmed Bin Hanbal Independent School for boys won the Institution Award of the year. In the Science Projects category, Raba’a Al-Adawiya Secondary Girls Independent School was awarded for its project on the smart conversion of acoustic energy into electrical energy, and Amna Bint Wahab Independent Preparatory School for Girls for its project titled “One Drop is Enough”. In the Student Activities category, Abdul Rehman Bin Jassim Independent Preparatory School for Boys received the award for proposing to organise the first forum for the integration and empowerment of individuals with disabilities. Moreover, SDC received 80 nominations for its Reyada Awards for the Qatari Entrepreneur. Launched for the first time last year, the Reyada Awards are divided into three different categories, including the New Venture Challenge Award, Entrepreneur Achiever Award and Outstanding Entrepreneurial Support Award, with each award featuring Gold and Silver honors. Winning entrepreneurs in the New Venture Challenge category include Hamad Al Badr, who earned the Golden award for initiating “BeehivEnurship Café” project, followed by Fatima Al-Kuwari, recipient of the Silver award for initiating the “Fatima Al Kuwari Cakes” project. Ahmed Al Sulaiti was also awarded first place for Entrepreneur Achiever Award for initiating “Qatar Pharma” project while Abdullah Al Nuaimi ranked second in that category for initiating the “Park View” project. In the Outstanding Entrepreneurial Support Award category, Injaz Qatar earned the Golden award for its dedicated corporate social responsibility efforts to support entrepreneurship, while Rodah Center earned the Silver award in the same category. Founded on the principles of hard work and innovation, the Reyada Award fits in well within the support system that SDC already provides to entrepreneurs in Qatar. SDC’s commitment to entrepreneurship goes back to 2003, when it first launched the Rasameel fund for entrepreneurial ventures. Later, in 2007, SDC launched Tanmia, a program designed to promote self-employment by providing support services to existing national small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and potential entrepreneurs to start viable small businesses. Further, SDC also supports home-based entrepreneurs with its Badr – Wa Inta Kadr program. SDC’s main objective is promoting the role of the family unit in society, as well as maintaining its social and economic cohesion and stability. It also works actively to train and enable keen individuals to be successful in the career opportunities they choose to pursue. Further, through its various collaborative activities with its partners, SDC aims to raise awareness about specialized training and personal development, preparing society to face the challenges and changes that affect its components and values. - ILQ News -

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