Qatar Business Women Award's third workshop marks close to 200 candidates

The purpose of these workshops is to acquaint participants with the selection criteria and explain how to best fill out their application forms providing evidence and proof points.

Launched in December 2007 under the auspices of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Misnad, the QBWA aims to identify and pay tribute to Qatari women who contribute to society through their significant professional or entrepreneurial achievements. The award will focus on women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and managerial qualities in their fields and take into account their professional experience, their ability to innovate and mentor in the field, and even their contributions to society and voluntary work.

Following the remarkable success of the first and second workshops held on 28 April and 14 May 2008 respectively, the attendance at the third workshop was especially promising. "It is very encouraging to see that close to 200 professional & business women have attended the workshops and have started applying for this prestigious award. What is particularly laudable is the confidence, courage and ambition that these Qatari ladies have demonstrated throughout the workshops which prove that an increasing number of professionals and innovators are present across the nation. With this award we will hopefully harness this talent and encourage present as well as future generations to contribute to the prosperity of this country," said Sheikha Al Anoud Bint Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairwoman of Qatar Business Women Forum (QBWF).

With the large numbers of female Qatari professionals attending the QBWA workshops, QCCI, Qatar Business Women Forum, and Qatar Shell, the organizers of this award, are considering hosting a fourth workshop after the summer. "We are completely bowled over by the number of participants and the immense interest of the ladies that we are considering to schedule a fourth workshop," stated Sheikha Al Anoud.

"The workshops have proved important because candidates learn more about how to apply for the award and the importance of their qualifications and previous work experience. We followed up the last two workshops with clinics where participants who have filled out their application forms can have one-on-one meetings with the lecturers to ask specific questions about their application forms and check if there was any missing evidence to support their answers. The format has worked very well so far and we've received a lot of interest for a fourth workshop," added Sheikha Al Anoud.