In a major step toward fostering cultural exchange and innovation in education, Qatar Museums (QM) and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) have entered a five-year strategic partnership aimed at developing creative learning models for children and educators in both India and Qatar.

The agreement was formalized in Doha through an official signing ceremony attended by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and Isha Ambani, representing Reliance Industries.

The collaboration will introduce Museum-in-Residence educational programmes across schools and learning environments in both nations—designed to integrate playful, museum-based learning experiences into classrooms and empower educators with creative teaching tools.

Driven by a shared belief in the transformative power of culture and education, QM and NMACC will co-develop initiatives that encourage curiosity, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding.

These programmes will not only enrich early childhood education but also provide teachers and volunteers with innovative resources and methodologies to inspire creativity in young minds.

Commenting on the new partnership, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said:

“Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre share the conviction that creativity and cultural exchange are vital in shaping a confident, empathetic generation of learners. This collaboration, led by Ms. Isha Ambani, builds on the legacy of our Year of Culture with India and allows us to share Qatar Museums’ expertise within NMACC’s dynamic educational initiatives, extending the reach of creative learning across classrooms in India.”

In India, the programmes will be implemented through Reliance Foundation, in collaboration with QM specialists—including educators from Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar—who will lead masterclasses and hands-on mentorship sessions. Each initiative will be tailored to diverse learning contexts across India, strengthening NMACC’s dedication to bringing global ideas to India and sharing India’s rich creative traditions with the world.

Isha Ambani, Director at Reliance Industries, emphasized the shared vision of the collaboration, noting:

“We are honored to partner with Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa and Qatar Museums on this meaningful initiative focused on children and education. At NMACC, our mission is to blend world-class global learning with India’s cultural heritage—where culture ignites imagination and education transforms potential into reality. Together, we aim to spark new forms of learning that empower every child to dream boldly and learn confidently.”

Under the partnership, QM and NMACC will further develop community-based projects promoting creativity, empathy, and discovery across schools, anganwadis, and local learning centres—including in rural and underserved areas.

Highlighting the initiative, Maha Al Hajri, Acting Director of Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, said:

“We are proud to extend Dadu’s Museum-in-Residence programme through this collaboration, presenting our ‘Light Atelier’ to new audiences in India. Designed for children aged three to seven, this immersive environment embodies our philosophy of learning through play, helping us share Dadu’s educational approach beyond Qatar’s borders while fostering meaningful cultural exchange with partners like NMACC.”

This partnership underscores Qatar Museums’ sustained mission to advance education and global cultural dialogue, aligning closely with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which prioritizes investment in human and cultural development.

The Council of Ministers Secretariat General has released the official working hours for government entities during the Holy Month of Ramadan 2026. Government employees will observe a five-hour workday, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

To provide flexibility, employees may begin their workday as late as 10:00 AM, provided they complete the full five-hour schedule and fulfill all work responsibilities.

In addition, up to 30% of government staff are permitted to work remotely. Priority for remote work will be given to Qatari mothers and individuals with disabilities, while ensuring that the operational needs of each entity are met.

The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education will determine their own working hours and schedules based on specific operational requirements.

The Council also reminded private sector employees to coordinate with their respective human resources departments regarding Ramadan working arrangements.

This announcement aims to balance employee well-being during Ramadan with the continued delivery of public services across Qatar.

Visit Qatar has concluded the 2026 edition of Brouq, its signature desert experience, after attracting over 60,000 visitors throughout the winter season. The 77-day event, which ran until 10 February, drew 61,121 attendees, reaffirming its place as one of Qatar’s most popular open-air attractions during the cooler months.

Set against the scenic desert backdrop, Brouq 2026 offered a dynamic mix of adventure, culture, and entertainment. Among its main highlights, the Desert Escape Zone featured a 25-metre Adventure Tower, a new zipline experience, open-air dining venues, and an ongoing schedule of live performances. It was one of five new areas introduced this year to add more variety and excitement to the experience.

The Film City Zone brought local culture to life through falcon photo opportunities, henna art, traditional music, and storytelling sessions. Across the site, visitors could take part in more than 500 activities and workshops, many designed for families and younger audiences. Puppet shows, face painting, and caricature drawing helped create a lively and welcoming atmosphere for children.

This year’s edition also unveiled several new features, including the Sunset Lounge, Brouq Wildlife Reserve, Mini Safari Cars, and the Family Majlis, expanding the range of things to see and do. The activation was further supported by 24 food, beverage and retail vendors, making it a complete outing for families and groups.

Visit Qatar said Brouq continues to support the country’s tourism goals by enriching the local leisure offering, encouraging residents and visitors to explore more of Qatar, and adding momentum to the nation’s year-round events calendar.

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) recently hosted a comprehensive technical workshop in collaboration with Jeppesen, the internationally recognized provider of aeronautical charting solutions.

This initiative was convened to address the recent amendments to ICAO Annex 14, which governs aerodrome design and operations, and Annex 15, covering Aeronautical Information Services, ensuring that Qatar’s aviation stakeholders remain fully informed of evolving international regulatory frameworks and best practices.

The session was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the implications of these regulatory updates for aerodrome infrastructure, aeronautical data dissemination, and the preparation of navigation material critical for safe and efficient flight operations.

By enhancing technical competencies, QCAA aims to support alignment with global standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and to reinforce Qatar’s commitment to maintaining world‑class aviation safety, efficiency, and compliance.

Representatives from key aviation entities—including the Air Navigation Department, Qatar Airways, and Hamad International Airport—actively engaged in the workshop, exchanging insights and practical perspectives on integrating the latest Annex requirements into their operational processes.

This collaborative forum also facilitated discussions on the practical application of updated aeronautical information services and charting procedures, which are essential for accurate flight planning and air traffic management.

The workshop underlines QCAA’s ongoing efforts to foster continuous professional development and strengthen coordination among national aviation stakeholders, thereby supporting Qatar’s broader objectives in aviation safety, regulatory excellence, and adherence to international civil aviation best practices.

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has organized a comprehensive awareness and training workshop for inspectors specializing in travel and air cargo agencies under its Air Transport Department. The event, held from January 26 to 28, 2026, seeks to strengthen regulatory oversight within Qatar’s aviation and travel sectors while enhancing institutional efficiency in line with global standards.

The three-day program aims to deepen inspectors’ understanding of the newly enacted law governing travel and air cargo agencies, as well as its executive regulations. Participants are being introduced to updated procedures covering agency licensing, renewal processes, operational compliance, and inspection methodologies.

The agenda also includes discussions on monitoring mechanisms for ensuring adherence to national regulations and the proper licensing of international distribution system companies authorized to operate in Qatar.

In addition, the sessions address the technical and safety requirements related to the transport of dangerous goods, ensuring that operations across the sector remain fully aligned with the safety frameworks and best practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Through interactive presentations and case studies, the workshop highlights the vital role inspectors play in overseeing industry standards and enforcing compliance. The program also aims to enhance participants’ analytical and field inspection skills, enabling them to carry out their duties more effectively and contribute to raising the overall quality of regulatory performance across the aviation ecosystem.

This initiative forms part of the QCAA’s continuous professional development plan aimed at upgrading the competencies of its workforce and fostering a culture of excellence in regulatory practices. It also supports the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasizes human capital development and the advancement of skilled national professionals capable of driving sustainable growth in strategically important sectors such as civil aviation.

By investing in advanced training and awareness initiatives, the QCAA reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety, efficiency, and service quality within Qatar’s rapidly expanding aviation and travel industries.

Qatar’s booth at the New Delhi World Book Fair is seeing a record turnout as the country participates as the event’s Guest of Honor, highlighting growing interest in Qatari culture and its literary offerings.

According to Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain, Director of the Libraries Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Culture, the pavilion showcases an overview of Qatar’s cultural landscape through a wide selection of ministry publications—many of them translated into Indian languages to introduce Qatari cultural production to local readers and strengthen cross-cultural exchange.

Beyond books, the Qatar pavilion features traditional folk crafts and an Arabic calligraphy exhibit, giving visitors a closer look at the aesthetics and heritage behind Qatar’s artistic traditions. The displays are designed to offer an interactive experience that reflects the authenticity and diversity of Qatari culture.

Qatar’s Guest-of-Honor program also includes cultural and intellectual panel discussions, while Qatari publishers are taking part in the fair’s publisher platform to meet Indian counterparts and explore cooperation in translation projects and copyright sharing.

Al Buainain added that appearances by Qatari folk troupes during the fair help revive traditional arts and engage audiences, reinforcing Qatar’s cultural presence and supporting culture’s role in building people-to-people connections.

The New Delhi World Book Fair runs until January 18, bringing together publishers and cultural institutions from around the world alongside a packed schedule of discussions and cultural programming.