Alumni Awards 2021-22 Finalists & Winners

AWARD RECIPIENT | Aisha Al-Jaidah, Kingston University London graduate

An illustrator and animator, Aisha Ibrahim Al-Jaidah began her career in 2010 as a motion graphics artist at Al Jazeera Children's Channel. Then, as a senior animation producer, she created the first animated children's series created by a Qatari local in Doha.

Al-Jaidah pursued her dream and received a scholarship to study animation and graduated from Kingston University London, an achievement that motivated her to launch her own animation production company, 'Blue Penguin Animation'. She hopes her company will be one of the first companies in Qatar to fully produce animation locally.

Wissam Shmait, University of Manchester graduate

Wissam is currently the General Manager for IBM Corporation in Qatar, the oldest IT company in the world. He runs a double-digit million-dollar operation transforming the country, economy, and people’s lives. The solutions that he/his team sold to entities like Qatar Airways, BeIN Media Group, Ministry of Interior, Qatar Petroleum, and many others have transformed their operations. The aim is to deliver world-class transformational solutions and make life easier via Digital Transformation.

Wissam has helped companies large and small adopt IBM solutions and explore its deep value from different angles, and from different points of view (the CEO, CFO, COO .etc); translating all insights into strategic solutions that directly impact organizational growth.

AWARD RECIPIENT| Dana Al-abduljabbar, Cardiff Metropolitan University graduate 

Dana is a professional Qatari Graphic Communication Designer, Artist, Photographer, and short film producer. Her aim is to enhance her country's culture and heritage in a modern way through Art and Design. 

Upon graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2016, Dana was selected to design a memorial shield to be given to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during the National Service Academy graduation, 8th batch in 2017. She won the “Qatar Alfann” competition by transferring her artwork with “Coastal Qatar” into carpets to be used in the new hotels’ rooms located at Lusail city in Qatar 2020. she was also chosen for a Trip to South Korea by the Ministry of Culture and Sport to represent and exchange Qatar and Korean cultures in 2017.

Studying in the UK influenced Dana by developing her Art and designs to reach out more in the world which made her a very known Artist and Designer by publishing her work Live on TV, newspapers, events, social media, local and international exhibitions, and Galleries.

Layla Ibrahim Bacha, University College London graduate

Since joining Qatar Foundation (QF) in 2014, where no previous art function existed, Layla Ibrahim Bacha worked on Establishing and Managing the art strategies, policies, and procedures to position the art in QF as an international cultural destination.

Ibrahim bacha’s studies at UCL provided her an insight into the UK's cultural scene's success, and how the development of the UK's culture strategies, resulted in the thriving UK's museums and cultural scene. This knowledge inspired her work performance and her ongoing career development.

Out of her belief in the power of art in changing societies and its central role in developing a healthy and balanced community, Ibrahim bacha is committed to making all art forms accessible to the broader public. 

AWARD RECIPIENT | Jennifer Stables, Cambridge University graduate 

Jennifer Stables is the Country Representative for the Institution of Civil Engineers in Qatar, President of the University of Cambridge Alumni Society, and a Senior Project Manager for AECOM Qatar where she leads multidisciplinary design teams. Jennifer worked in Thailand installing village water systems, the UK designing schools, hospitals, and museums, Bangladesh developing slum self-build expertise, and came to Qatar for the 5/6 arches after completing their structural design remotely.

Jennifer says Cambridge University gave her lectures from sector leaders, fantastic friends, an inspirational Alumni network, and a prestigious and highly valuable degree. Jennifer is now working on the National Vision Infrastructure in Qatar and compliments her UK degree to be the foundation for a global career in making a difference to both people and the planet.

Abdulrahman Almuftah, University of Derby graduate

Abdulrahman Almuftah is a sustainability specialist for the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SCDL). The aim of the team is to deliver the sustainability strategy across all of the hosting country operations for the FIFA World Cup 2022TM. 

In the UK, Abdulrahman managed in a short period of time to enrich his understanding of the field he was studying in. He understood various components of mechanical engineering either theoretical or practical. Most importantly he managed to get some support in understanding life cycle analysis and its impact on determining building efficiency, starting his interest in green buildings and eventually sustainability. 

His work on sustainable development ensures that a legacy remains from all the FIFA world cup 2022 planning and operations and ensures the reduction of their negative impacts from the tournament. He also works with a youth-led NGO that looks into various national environmental issues.