The Bedaya Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development has entered into an agreement with Qatar Leadership Academy (QLA) to strengthen and promote career guidance services in Qatar.

The Bedaya Center, a joint initiative by Qatar Development Bank and Silatech, provides a range of services for young people in Qatar with training programmes and activities designed to help young men and women to achieve career goals and develop entrepreneurial skills.

Qatar Leadership Academy, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), fosters personal growth in young men, promoting excellence in academics, leadership, athletics, and character to prepare them to be leaders of tomorrow.

Reem Al Suwaidi, general manager, Bedaya Center, said: “This MoU marks a milestone in career guidance in Qatar as its purpose is to facilitate, guide, and promote cooperation between Bedaya Center and QLA. It will raise awareness of the importance of career guidance and career development throughout Qatar.”

Under the MoU, QLA will facilitate advisory sessions with the young people who use Bedaya’s career guidance tools, and will encourage QLA’s students to participate in Bedaya’s programmes and events.  QLA will also include the Center in QLA’s forthcoming events.

The Bedaya Center will provide career guidance tools to QLA cadets in grade 10 and grade 11, as well as offer a number of job shadowing opportunities for students who wish to explore a work environment.

Bedaya will also deliver entrepreneurship and innovation workshops, advisory sessions, and enable participation in Bedaya Entrepreneurship programmes such as the highly acclaimed annual Enterprise Challenge.

Brigadier General Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari, director of Qatar Leadership Academy, said: “We are delighted to sign this MoU with the Bedaya Center as the career guidance tools, workshops, and workplace experience they offer our cadets will do much to enhance their career opportunities. The targeted group will be the cadets, but the teachers and other members of staff will be part of the workshops that will be provided by the Bedaya Center.”

Bedaya Center’s achievements to date this year in career development have included several major initiatives and activities that have benefitted approximately 2,000 Qatari youth.  Five agreements have been signed with different educational institutions and corporations, and Bedaya has reached out to 39 independent schools, as well as to two international schools.

 “We are very proud of our achievements this year, which have met many of our goals,” said Al Suwaidi.

“For instance, we wanted to reach 4,000 Tamheed students, some 38 independent schools, offer job shadowing opportunities to 200 students, and initiate 12 dedicated programmes to our targeted audiences in education. We now look forward to extending our outreach to many more young people in Qatar to help them identify their best career path for the future.”

The MoU is for a period of one academic year 2015/2016 and may be renewed if mutually agreed by the both parties, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service