Traditionally, science and the arts have been viewed as two separate fields; however, with creativity, discovery and exploration at the heart of both disciplines, there are a number of similarities – and Qatar Foundation is set to bring these together at the second edition of D’reesha Performing Arts Festival.
Taking place until 17 December, during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, a key component of this year’s festival is called D’reesha of Invention. Sponsored by ConocoPhillips Qatar, it will highlight innovators and researchers from the Arab world, and through unique activities, presentations and workshops will help bring science to life.
According to ConocoPhillips Qatar Events and Design Specialist Hamda Al-Kuwari, their company support and motivate young people, encouraging them to unleash their creative talents. Al-Kuwari is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a partner university of Qatar Foundation.
Al-Kuwari joined ConocoPhillips Qatar after being nominated by VCUarts Qatar.
As I majored in graphic design, I never imagined that my path would lead me to a company that falls under the oil and gas sector, and within the field of science.
She said that businesses often require creativity, including those within the science and technology departments. And this is what she tried to bring to her role, offering new ideas and an unconventional perspective.
Highlighting how the organisation promotes creativity, she said that what helped her adapt so well was the welcoming work environment and the importance of encouraging creativity among employees, something that is very similar to the ecosystem at Qatar Foundation.
Al-Kuwari is encouraging young people to take risks, to not be afraid to work in a different field, as you may have the opportunity to showcase your abilities in different areas and develop different skills.
Dareen Dardor joined ConocoPhillips Global Water Sustainability Center after getting a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), another partner university of Qatar Foundation. She is currently working on her PhD in Switzerland.
Dardor said the opportunity to work with ConocoPhillips Qatar has been a unique educational experience and inspired her to work towards her PhD, as she realized that she wanted to continue working in the field and develop her skills further.
I learned a lot at ConocoPhillips Qatar, as I worked with a team of scientists and engineers with many years of experience and had the opportunity to lead projects and collaborate with different local universities, including within Qatar Foundation, such as TAMUQ and Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
Dardor believes that encouraging creativity promotes innovation and leads to the development of new ideas. Speaking about how the fields of science and the arts intersect, she said that some people think they’re more science-oriented, others think they’re more arts-oriented, but if we all create and try to think innovatively – no matter the speciality – she said we will all be creatives in our own field.
This year, the D’reesha festival is inspired by explorer Ibn Battuta and is being held under the theme of Travel and Adventure. Open to all, daily passes to the festival and all its shows start from QAR35 (for kids 3 to 11 years old) and QAR50 (12 years and older). Children under three can enter for free.
To find out more about the festival, visit qf.org.qa. You can get your tickets at virginmegastore.me.
Check out Marhaba’s FREE e-Guides for everything you need to know about Qatar.
