RasGas launches free Arabic virtual library

RasGas Company Limited, in association with Maktaba Children’s Library (Maktaba), has launched Maktaba Mobile, an interactive virtual library aimed at young Arabic readers worldwide. RasGas’ sponsorship of Maktaba Mobile comes as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program’s Year of Education 2013. Designed to promote Arabic literacy and foster intercultural dialogue among Arab youth, the web portal and mobile app provides a virtual library which is complete with fun and interactive learning resources, the company said in a press release issued on Saturday. Available free of charge, Maktaba Mobile offers a combination of e-books, videos, educational games and even allows users to upload their own material, as part of one central platform. RasGas Acting Chief Executive Officer Hamad Mubarak Al Muhannadi commented, “RasGas is committed to fostering a love of reading and learning that extends outside the school environment. In a digital era when many hours are spent in front of computer screens and smart mobile phones, Maktaba Mobile allows us to harness the power of technology to promote Arabic among young native speakers and the language’s fans alike.” From an academic perspective, Maktaba Mobile is also expected to provide parents and teachers with the opportunity to tap into a wide range of valuable Arabic language teaching and learning resources, which can be incorporated into syllabi and reading lists. “The Maktaba Children’s Library Project was set-up to inspire children and parents to appreciate books through reading for leisure. Maktaba Mobile takes this a step further by providing a range of engaging and easily accessible learning resources, including games and puzzles across multiple digital platforms,” said Maktaba Founder Sarah Al Dafa. Maktaba Mobile currently features numerous e-books for ages three and up. Users can access Maktaba Mobile via its website www.maktabaqatar.org or download its application from the Google Play store for Android devices and the Apple Store for Apple devices. The CSR Year of Education 2013 campaign has so far featured an Impressionist Art Exhibition on traditional education in Qatar, and RasGas employees have donated approximately 700 children’s books to local schools. Throughout 2013, the program is expected to touch on a variety of educational topics as well as employee volunteer and skills-transfer initiatives.