|
Full story
| Norwegian minister: “impressed” with Qatar’s development |
| [14.10.2011, 10:37pm, Fri. GMT] |
Norwegian Education Minister Kristin Halvorsen, who was in Qatar as a child nearly 37 years ago, has said the Gulf state is something special to her always. “Qatar was completely different all those years ago and I am immensely impressed with the development and progress that have taken place,” she told an audience at Qatar University on Thursday.Also the leader of the Socialist Left Party since 1997 and a former finance minister, Halvorsen will be attending the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Norwegian School in Qatar, her alma mater.
“When I met your Minister of Education and spoke with other people, I continued to hear the emphasis on education which is very encouraging,” she said, pointing out that Qatar could easily have relaxed and enjoyed its economic progress, but instead continued to step up its efforts in all areas, especially education.
She observed that education was the key to inter-cultural dialogue, understanding and respect. “Cultural understanding is more important than ever now,” Halvorsen stated, recalling the recent terrorist attack on Norway orchestrated by a Norwegian national.
“The idea of religious divisions must be confronted - we must strive to live in peace and respect each other.”
In a question and answer session that followed the lecture, points of discussion included collaboration in research and student and faculty exchanges between Qatar University and Norwegian academic institutions. |
| Back |
|
|
|
Special Interest
Advertisements
|
Akershus
