News | Ministry of Transport

Sunday, April 30, 2017

calls for applications now open for “Alecso Apps Award” and “Mada ALECSO Apps Award"

Doha-The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) invites individuals, and public and private entities to join “Alecso Apps Award” and “Mada ALECSO Apps Award” by submitting their best creative applications to the two awards.Nominations for the third Edition of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) Apps Award 2017 are open until May 15, where the final ceremony will be held in Tunis, Tunisia.Alecso Apps is an annual award assigned to the best Arab completed applications in the fields of education, culture, science and educational games.The Award falls within the framework of a broader project implemented by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), aiming to provide technological and institutional environment necessary to contribute to the emergence of an Arab industry for smart phones and digital tablets applications. This will be attained via contributing to the development of a common Arab vision for the sector, developing Arab specialized human resources and facilitating and promoting the production of mobile applications.A special award for People with Disabilities (PwDs) applications are launched in the current edition of Alecso App Award, in collaboration with Mada, Qatar Assistive Technology Center.“Mada ALECSO Apps Award” is granted to the best Arab mobile phone application developed for users with special needs, with the aim of improving their living conditions though mobile applications providing services that make life easier to any person having any type of disability.Candidacies for Mada ALECSO Apps Award will be received by AlECSO until July 31, 2017.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Minister inaugurates GREAT - Gulf Region Education Assistive Technology Conference 2017

DOHA- Minister inaugurates GREAT - Gulf Region Education Assistive Technology Conference 2017HE Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, has inaugurated the Gulf Region Education Assistive Technology Conference 2017, In the presence of HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi.The conference is being organized by Assistive Technology Center (MADA) between April 23 to 26, 2017, at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).In his opening speech, the Minister said: “the wise leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, spares no effort in supporting efforts aimed at raising awareness of the needs of people with disabilities and investing their abilities and potential."This event confirms the commitment to continue to raise and discuss the latest developments and concerns related to improving the lives of people with disabilities at all levels through information technology and integrating them into society to ensure that they can benefit from their abilities to contribute to the advancement of the State of Qatar," the Minister added.The GREAT 2017 conference is the first of its kind in the region and focuses on education practices in Inclusive Computer Technology and Assistive Technology (AT). Industry experts will exchange information on the best practices and the current trends in the field of ICT and AT. The conference is structured in two phases, the first took place on April 23 to 24, and included intensive all-day master classes for participants pertaining to various AT topics. The second phase, on April 25 to 26, involved an opening ceremony, panel discussions and 60–90-minute educational workshops for participants.MADA is committed to spreading awareness about PWD in Qatar and helping them stay connected in a world that is increasingly dependent on technology. Maha Al Mansouri, CEO of Mada said: “At MADA we are committed to supporting students with disabilities in Qatar, and our goal is to provide quality mainstream education for them by the end of 2018. Our GREAT conference is a huge milestone for PWD in Qatar, as it provides an ideal platform to further extend the necessary tools and knowledge needed to provide education and AT practices to those teaching PWD. This conference is a prime example of our efforts to further achieve our targets related to education. We are dedicated to providing the power of ICT, and through existing partnerships with stakeholders including the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, MADA is able to gauge its educational operations to gain the furthest possible reach within Qatar.”The conference witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding between Mada and other parties in the field of communication, information technology, and assistive technology. An agreement was signed with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services from the United Arab Emirates and with the Assistive Technology Industry Association from the USA.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Qatar leading the way in aviation security

DohaThe State of Qatar ranked as one of the world’s top countries in civil aviation safety, according to official results released by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) yesterday. Qatar scored 99.1% in applying the guidelines of annex 17 on Safeguarding International Civil Aviation against Acts of Unlawful Interference. Qatar also scored 96.76% in implementing safety management and a 100% in annex nine on facilitation. The Civil Aviation Authority said that the scores reflect a qualitative leap when compared to Qatar’s results in 2012, when it received a score of 78.76%. The Civil Aviation Authority stressed that the achievement is an important step towards realising Qatar National Vision 2030. The Chairman of Qatar Aviation Authority, Abdullah bin Nasser Turki al-Subaey, expressed his delight at the success and said that results of the ICAO’s safety audit proved that Hamad International Airport is one of the safest in the world. He added that the state’s support of the civil aviation industry was the main reason behind the achievement, along with the co-operation of all partners concerned with civil aviation security, the Ministry of Interior’s Airport Security Department and Airport Passports Department, and the management of Hamad International Airport.Al-Subaey said that the latest achievement will be an advantage to the national carrier Qatar Airways given it takes-off from one of the world’s safest airports. This will also encourage other carriers to operate in the airport. For his part, Director of Airport Security Department Brigadier Essa Arar al-Rumaihi said the achieved high scores were a result of the continuous efforts of all authorities who operate within a strong system. He noted that the Airport Security Department has succeeded in raising the performance level of its employees as a result of employing the latest techniques and training in airport security, and stressed that this training along with the usage of latest technology led to the high scores and enhanced security in the airport. The ICAO carries out safety audits that are mandatory to all member countries. The audits usually involve ensuring that airports are in line with the 19 annexes on security, referred to as the Chicago Convention. A team from the ICAO arrived in Qatar in February to carry out the audit.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Emir visits Qatar Rail metro construction

Doha-THE Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani visited a Metro station recently to inspect construction progress. While there HH the Emir was given a presentation on the state-of-the-art technology used in the trains as well as their unique interior and exterior designs, safety features and services during the visit, and observed Qatar Railways Company's (Qatar Rail) life sized mock-ups of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram trains. Also in attendance was Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim bin Saif al Sulaiti said: "Thanks to the wise direction of HH the Emir, may God protect him, and the follow-up and supervision of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, transport and communications projects are receiving great interest, leading to implementation of strategic initiatives."He added; “The Ministry of Transport and Communications has put in place policies and strategies that aim to greatly improve transport infrastructure in Qatar using the latest technologies in the projects."The Minister added that the Doha Metro will be the backbone of an integrated public transport system, supported by the other Qatar Rail projects and on-going road projects.Qatar Rail's Managing Director Eng Abdulla Abdulaziz al Subaie said:"We are honoured to welcome HH the Emir, HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister and HE the Minister of Transport and Communications, for an exclusive private viewing of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram train mock-ups. It is due to the country's great leadership that we are able to achieve important milestones and implement various ambitious plans that aim to boost our performance and set our company as a role model in transparency and project delivery."

Sunday, April 23, 2017

MoTC launches IT training for public sector graduates

DohaTHE Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) has launched IT Talent Program as part of its Qatar Digital Government Training Program. The programme, the first of its kind in Qatar, will provide fresh graduates working with government with a comprehensive foundational knowledge of the most important IT competencies, which will, in turn, support the Qatar Digital Government 2020.The initiative, set to run for eight months, will focus on training more than 30 Qatari graduates with an IT background working in government establishments to develop key skills such as leadership, decision-making, innovation, teamwork, and communications. The programme is being conducted in partnership between the MoTC and HEC Paris, which will deliver the training.The IT Talent Program is part of the Qatar Digital Government Training Program (QDGTP), which is developing the ICT capacity of the public sector in line with the 2020 strategy for the digital transformation of Qatar's government. The QDGTP runs a range of technical courses in partnership with government entities. It has trained around 1,600 IT professionals to date."The ministry launches this new programme to train IT leaders to ensure the implementation of the Qatar Digital Government 2020 Strategy through training national professionals to be available for government entities. The aim is to fill the shortage in manpower in that field," said Reem al Mansoori, assistant undersecretary for Digital Society Development at the MoTC, during the commencement of the first batch. The faculty from HEC Paris selected for the programme will bring a combination of cutting-edge research and practitioner experience and have all delivered highly rated programmes in the GCC region. Participants will benefit from a mixture of learning tools to match their seniority and time constraints with the aim of delivering a high-impact intensive programme.Prof Nils Plambeck, dean and CEO of HEC Paris, said:"This programme provides those working for the public or semi-government sector an opportunity to broaden and further develop their skill-set and outlook on the way in which they approach daily tasks in the workplace. HEC Paris has a wealth of education experience dating back to over 135 years and has an exemplary level of learning tools and academic professors for optimised learning."

Saturday, April 22, 2017

G-Ring Road, a major boon to traffic network, opens

Doha-The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) opened the G-Ring Road –at a total cost of QR 4bn, connecting Hamad International Airport to the Orbital Highway at Industrial Area and beyond.HE the Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim bin Saif al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment, Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi attended the opening ceremony along with Dr Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi, president Ashghal, Abdulla Hamad al-Attiyah, assistant president, Ashghal and a large number of dignitaries.The opening ceremony was followed by a parade of classic cars and motorcycles passing through the new road. The road also consists of 48 km of pedestrians and cyclists lanes, surrounded by landscaping.The 22 kilometres long road with five lanes on each direction has eight main interchanges connecting the road to various locations in around the area and providing easy access to the Orbital Highway. All the interchanges are expected to be completed and opened by the end of July this year.The interchanges comprise of 29 bridges and 18 underpasses, as well as loops to distribute the traffic movement.The eight interchanges are Al Bahya Interschange, Bu Sella Interchange, Abal Slel Interchange, Al Hafeen Interchange, Jary Mosbeh Interchange, Umm Beshr Interchange, Al Thumama Interchange (50) and Airport Interchange (49).Speaking to Gulf Times, al-Muhannadi said, “This is a very important road as it cuts down the traffic time to Industrial area by at least 50%. It will also relieve the heavy traffic on the Salwa Road. This road provides easy and convenient access for the residents of the area to different parts of the country.”He also explained that the G-Ring Road is an important axis that provides additional transportation options, and is connected with a number of expressways such as the Orbital Highway and Al Wakra Bypass. The G-Ring Road is connected with the opened part of the Orbital Highway, creating a fast, non-stop road with a length of more than 50 km from Hamad International Airport to Dukhan Road via Salwa Road. This will shorten the travel time between Hamad International Airport, Al Wajba, Rayyan, Bani Hajer and Dukhan.According to Ashghal, the G-Ring Road also provides three new vital entrances to the Industrial Area from the South, providing a direct link with Hamad International Airport. It also connects with Hamad Port, Mesaieed, Bu Samra Border, and the Northern areas through its connection with the Orbital Highway, and provides a direct access with the Logistic Village to and from Hamad International Airport.The new road is one of the key axes of Qatar's expressway network. With an uninterrupted traffic flow, it will have a significant positive impact on the traffic movement in the country’s southern areas. It will also contribute to reducing pressure on existing roads in other areas; thus complementing the other axes of the expressway network, of which several parts will be opened to traffic throughout the coming months.