US and Qatari students visit ras laffan industrial city

A group of high school students from the US and Qatar Wednesday gained insights into energy production as a key element in the discussion of global water issues. The students today visited Ras Laffan Industrial City as part of an educational and cultural programme focused on science exploration. An initiative of the Qatar Foundation International, the students are currently participating in an 11-day cross-cultural exchange programme entitled, Connecting Cultures, Exploring Science. Nineteen Arabic language students from Chicago’s Lindblom Math and Science Academy are joined by their Qatari peers from Al Wakra Independent Secondary School for Boys and Al Ieman Secondary Independent School for Girls to participate in interactive learning programmes on water conservation and marine ecosystems. Partnered with the bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, the QFI took the students on a tour to Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world''s largest producer and exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Gas-To-Liquids (GTL) capital of the world. Qatar Foundation International Executive Director Maggie Mitchell Salem said, "Developing sustainability policies for food, water, and energy systems that includes improved resource management represents most critical challenge of this generation. The students also visited Ras Laffan Port, the world’s largest hydrocarbon exporting facility which gave them insights into movement of energy cargo to global customers. The QFI prepares the younger generation to engage in global challenges through cross-cultural, project-based learning and visits like today''s to Ras Laffan, she said, explaining the purpose of the study tour. Lauding Qatar''s proactive role in articulating strategies on issues of global concern, she said, "Qatar is quickly becoming a global leader not only in LNG production - such as Ras Laffan''s cutting-edge facility, the largest in the world - but also in promoting strategies that recognise the link of food, water, and energy as one that requires research, well-aligned policies, and community engagement. "