Young Writers Program Shines Spotlight on Students’ Creativity

April 22, 2019
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The U.S. Embassy in Qatar, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar and VCUarts Qatar, celebrated the winners of the fifth annual “Young Writers Competition” on April 22 at Qatar National Library.

Students from 135 Ministry schools participated in this year’s competition, making it the largest-ever Young Writers Program. The Embassy will feature the winning entries in the fifth volume of its “Young Writers Journal” in July.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires William Grant congratulated all the students who participated in this year’s competition. “I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and their dedicated core of educators and students for making the Young Writers Program such a success. The amazing turnout at this year’s competition is evidence of Qatar’s strong educational values, and the desire of young people in this country to achieve academic excellence,” Grant said.

Dean of Virginia Commonwealth School of the Arts Donald Baker said, “VCUarts Qatar is delighted to support the Young Writers Competition and to be a part of the ongoing partnership between the U.S. Embassy Qatar, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar. The Young Writers Program exemplifies how the richness of creative arts can invigorate a community. Students are uniquely encouraged to think critically about pressing world issues and then transform and share their ideas and thoughts through creative writing.”

The Young Writers Competition is part of the larger Young Writers Program, designed to encourage Qatar’s youth to read, write, and think critically about important topics in their society. Since the program’s start in 2014, Ministry school students have participated in the program through writing workshops and the annual writing competition. The program is a partnership between the U.S. Embassy in Qatar and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, with substantial support from VCUarts Qatar.

Assistant Professor Sadia Mir, a member of VCUarts Qatar’s faculty, was the primary instructor and curriculum developer for the teacher professional development sessions of the Young Writers Program and also of the student writing workshops.

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