Latest news with #GSAS
Qatar Tribune
04-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Doha Metro's administration, ICC building in Al Wakra receives GSAS platinum certificate
DOHA: Qatar Railways Company (Rail) has announced that the Doha Metro's Administration and ICC Building (B14) in Al Wakra has achieved Platinum rating for GSAS Operations, Premium Scheme. This recognition from the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), the developer of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), follows a thorough evaluation and audit of the project, reflecting its outstanding performance in terms of sustainability and operational efficiency. The award ceremony, held at B14, saw Founding Chairman of GORD Dr Yousef Alhorr present the plaque and certificate to Chief of Service Delivery at Qatar Rail Eng Abdulla Saif Al Sulaiti. Marking the occasion, Eng. Abdulla Saif Al Sulaiti said: "Commitment to sustainability is at the core of our mission to provide integrated railway services that are sustainable, reliable, attractive, and safe. The implementation of GSAS certification for our projects, perfectly aligns with this mission. By incorporating the rigorous standards of GSAS, we are ensuring that our infrastructure not only meets the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability but also contributes to a greener, more resilient future." Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dr Yousef Alhorr said: "By achieving GSAS green building certification not only for its state-of-the-art metro stations but also for critical support facilities like the Administration and ICC Building, Qatar Rail has set a remarkable precedent for environmentally conscious infrastructure development. This proactive approach showcases a long-term vision that promotes a sustainable urban future in line with Qatar's national sustainability goals." The Administration and ICC Building serves as the operational hub of the depot. It houses the Integrated Control Center (ICC), which is responsible for ensuring the seamless operation of Doha Metro services. The latest GSAS Operations certification of the Administration and ICC Building complements the building's existing green building credentials, having previously earned a 4-star rating under the GSAS Design and Build Scheme as part of the overall Doha Metro Depot in Al Wakra, and class A under the GSAS Construction Management Scheme.
Forbes
04-04-2025
- General
- Forbes
3 Red Flags To Avoid In Your Letter Of Continued Interest
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - July 18, 2023: Lehman Hall is a Georgian-revival building by Charles ... More Coolidge completed in 1925. Lehman Hall, located in Harvard Yard, is the student center of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). After Ivy Day's college admissions results were released last week, many students found themselves navigating the uncertainty and stress of the waitlist. While a waitlist notification represents a frustrating delay, it does not necessarily mean that a student must forgo their dreams of attending that college. However, applicants should adjust their expectations and their strategy to align with the school's admissions trends. Even if the odds of acceptance off a waitlist are slim, students who still want to attend the institution by which they have been waitlisted have one final recourse: a letter of continued interest. A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a brief note to admissions officers expressing an applicant's desire to attend should they be accepted and offering concise updates to inform the admissions committee's secondary evaluation of their materials. This letter is critical, as it is a student's final opportunity to convey information to admissions officers in their own words. They should therefore approach it with thoughtfulness, strategy, and intentionality. While an eye-catching letter could tip the scales in your favor, it is important to remember that admissions officers are inundated with these letters in March and April, and the wrong approach can result in a forgettable message—or worse, poorer chances of admission. In order to write a letter that elevates your application, it is imperative to avoid these three red flags: A LOCI should provide admissions officers with new and relevant information. A student should not rehash their entire résumé and application in their LOCI, nor is it appropriate for them to list every minor activity they have participated in since applying. Depending on the school, admissions officers may receive hundreds of letters. So, students should keep theirs brief to show respect for the committee's time and to ensure that they convey their key points effectively. Applicants should therefore focus on providing concise updates that directly impact the reassessment of their application. Have you received any new awards, honors, or leadership positions? Have you started a meaningful project or initiative? Have you improved upon a weakness in your application? Have you boosted your standardized test scores or GPA? Such updates are tangible, often quantifiable, and directly impactful. While you can—and should—show your humor, personality, and perspective, make sure that you are doing so in a way that highlights, rather than distracts from, the concrete information in your letter. The more you can showcase these positive updates in your own unique voice, the greater impact your LOCI will have. You may feel frustrated that you weren't accepted or anxious that you won't ultimately get into your dream school, but those emotions should not be evident in your letter. Statements such as 'Yale has been my dream school since I was a kid,' 'I thought I was a shoo-in at Vanderbilt,' or 'I don't know what I will do if I don't get in' will not translate as genuine enthusiasm for the school, but as immaturity and lack of perspective. That being said, your letter should clearly signal to admissions officers that the school is at the top of your list—the key is communicating that effectively. Approach your LOCI with gratitude and poise. Open by thanking the admissions committee for considering your application and reaffirming your enthusiasm for the institution. Acknowledge the competitive nature of the process while expressing optimism about the possibility of contributing to the university's community. Here, you might include an anecdote about your time visiting campus or another personal detail to convey why you see yourself as an ideal fit for the school. References to specific aspects of the campus community will demonstrate your candidacy and interest in the school more effectively than desperate pleas for admission. Admissions officers value maturity, resilience, and positivity—traits that will render you a positive addition to their campus—so use your letter to showcase these qualities. Finally, students should keep in mind that admissions officers have already read their application materials. This means that there is no need to reproduce their activities list or essays—students should provide important updates while trusting that their previously submitted materials will stand on their own in the second review process. Additionally, students should resist the temptation to send more than one letter. After sending their note to admissions officers, they must do the hard work of waiting for a decision; continuing to flood the admissions office with correspondence will not reflect favorably on the applicant. As Yale's admissions blog notes: 'You should not try to re-do any parts of your application. You should not inundate your admissions officer with weekly emails and cards. More often than not it is the required pieces of the applications, like the essays and teacher recommendations that we already have, that make a student stand out for us.' Ultimately, while a letter of continued interest will not guarantee you admission to your dream school, it is your final recourse to catch the eye of an admissions officer and express your enthusiasm for the institution in your own words. Sending a polished, professional, and authentic letter could tip the scales in your favor at your dream school. You should address your LOCI to the admissions officer assigned to your region. If you are unsure of who that may be, refer to the university's admissions website or call the admissions office to inquire. Students should be prompt in sending their LOCI. Aim to submit your letter within a few weeks of receiving your waitlist notification. In general, students should limit their letter to roughly one single-spaced page (no more than 500 words).
Forbes
03-04-2025
- General
- Forbes
3 Red Flags To Avoid In Your Letter Of Continued Interest to Ivy League Colleges
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - July 18, 2023: Lehman Hall is a Georgian-revival building by Charles ... More Coolidge completed in 1925. Lehman Hall, located in Harvard Yard, is the student center of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). After Ivy Day's college admissions results were released last week, many students found themselves navigating the uncertainty and stress of the waitlist. While a waitlist notification represents a frustrating delay, it does not necessarily mean that a student must forgo their dreams of attending that college. However, applicants should adjust their expectations and their strategy to align with the school's admissions trends. Even if the odds of acceptance off a waitlist are slim, students who still want to attend the institution by which they have been waitlisted have one final recourse: a letter of continued interest. What is a letter of continued interest? A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a brief note to admissions officers expressing an applicant's desire to attend should they be accepted and offering concise updates to inform the admissions committee's secondary evaluation of their materials. This letter is critical, as it is a student's final opportunity to convey information to admissions officers in their own words. They should therefore approach it with thoughtfulness, strategy, and intentionality. While an eyecatching letter could tip the scales in your favor, it is important to remember that admissions officers are inundated with these letters in March and April, and the wrong approach can result in a forgettable message—or worse, poorer chances of admission. In order to write a letter that elevates your application, it is imperative to avoid these three red flags: A LOCI should provide admissions officers with new and relevant information. A student should not rehash their entire resume and application in their LOCI, nor is it appropriate for them to list every minor activity they have participated in since applying. Depending on the school, admissions officers may receive hundreds of letters, so students should keep theirs brief to show respect for the committee's time and to ensure that they convey their key points effectively. Applicants should therefore focus on providing concise updates that directly impact the reassessment of their application. Have you received any new awards, honors, or leadership positions? Have you started a meaningful project or initiative? Have you improved upon a weakness in your application? Have you boosted your standardized test scores or GPA? Such updates are tangible, often quantifiable, and directly impactful. While you can—and should!—show your humor, personality, and perspective, make sure that you are doing so in a way that highlights, rather than distracts from, the concrete information in your letter. The more you can showcase these positive updates in your own unique voice, the greater impact your LOCI will have. You may feel frustrated that you weren't accepted or anxious that you won't ultimately get into your dream school, but those emotions should not be evident in your letter. Statements such as 'Yale has been my dream school since I was a kid,' 'I thought I was a shoo-in at Vanderbilt,' or 'I don't know what I will do if I don't get in' will not translate as genuine enthusiasm for the school, but as immaturity and lack of perspective. That being said, your letter should clearly signal to admissions officers that the school is at the top of your list—the key is communicating that effectively. Approach your LOCI with gratitude and poise. Open by thanking the admissions committee for considering your application and reaffirming your enthusiasm for the institution. Acknowledge the competitive nature of the process while expressing optimism about the possibility of contributing to the university's community. Here, you might include an anecdote about your time visiting campus or another personal detail to convey why you see yourself as an ideal fit for the school. References to specific aspects of the campus community will demonstrate your candidacy and interest in the school more effectively than desperate pleas for admission. Admissions officers value maturity, resilience, and positivity—traits that will render you a positive addition to their campus—so use your letter to showcase these qualities. Finally, students should keep in mind that admissions officers have already read their application materials. This means that there is no need to reproduce their Activities List or essays—students should provide important updates while trusting that their previously submitted materials will stand on their own in the second review process. Additionally, students should resist the temptation to send more than one letter. After sending their note to admissions officers, they must do the hard work of waiting for a decision; continuing to flood the admissions office with correspondence will not reflect favorably on the applicant. As Yale's admissions blog notes: 'You should not try to re-do any parts of your application. You should not inundate your admissions officer with weekly emails and cards. More often than not it is the required pieces of the applications, like the essays and teacher recommendations that we already have, that make a student stand out for us.' Ultimately, while a letter of continued interest will not guarantee you admission to your dream school, it is your final recourse to catch the eye of an admissions officer and express your enthusiasm for the institution in your own words. Sending a polished, professional, and authentic letter could tip the scales in your favor at your dream school. Who should I send my LOCI to? You should address your LOCI to the admissions officer assigned to your region. If you are unsure of who that may be, refer to the university's admissions website or call the admissions office to inquire. When should I send my LOCI? Students should be prompt in sending their LOCI. Aim to submit your letter within a few weeks of receiving your waitlist notification. How many words should my LOCI be? In general, students should limit their letter to roughly one single-spaced page (no more than 500 words).
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar's Ashgal is likely to award design contract for HMC service buildings in Q2
Qatar's Public Works Authority (Ashgal) is expected to award the consultancy services contract for the design of the National Central Sterilising Services Department (CSSD) and Central Laundry Facility Buildings in the second quarter of 2025, according to a source. The buildings, which will be developed over an area of 36,000 square metres (sqm) in Doha Industrial Area, will serve the medical facilities of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the principal public healthcare provider in Qatar. The tender was issued on 10 December 2024 with a bid submission deadline of 9 February 2025. 'The consultancy contract is expected to be awarded in April 2025,' a source aware of the details said. adding that the project completion date is December 2026. The scope of the contract includes design, lead, MEP and quantity survey, he added. The new National CSSD facility, spread over an area of 7,950 square metres, will handle management, cleaning, and distribution of sterile procedural instrumentation for patient care activities and sterile surgical supplies for the case cart operation for invasive operating theatres' activities. The new facility will consolidate the current and future demands for sterilization supply services and accommodate the predicted growth up to 2042. The Central laundry, with 4,950 sqm, will serve all existing HMC facilities with scope to accommodate planned expansion of clinical services during the anticipated 20 to 30-year lifespan of the facility. The Energy Centre facility, spanning 5,085 sqm, will include all the services such as MEP plants, and its scope also includes landscaping, hardscape, ground, and underground parking facilities. The buildings will be designed to Qatar Construction Standards and a minimum 3-star level in the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), administered by the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD). (Reporting by Deva Palanisamy; Editing by Anoop Menon)
Zawya
25-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GORD and the League of Arab States host workshops to boost carbon markets and environmental sustainability
Cairo, Egypt – As part of the Arab world's commitment to combating climate change and bolster the role of Arab nations in supporting environmental sustainability efforts, the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD), in collaboration with the League of Arab States (LAS) and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), organized two virtual workshops aimed at promoting sustainability awareness, building capacity, and developing expertise across the Arab world. The workshops focused on vital areas including voluntary carbon markets, through the Global Carbon Council (GCC), in addition to promoting a sustainable built environment and energy efficiency through the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). The event builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed last month between GORD and LAS. The workshops witnessed wide participation of more than 150 experts and specialists in the fields of sustainability, energy and climate, representing several member nations of the League of Arab States. The workshops facilitated knowledge exchange and discussions on the importance of accelerating climate action in the Arab region. By highlighting successful regional best practices, the sessions were aimed at supporting Arab countries in their pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals and efforts to strengthen resilience against climate change challenges. Dr. Yousef bin Mohammed Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD and GCC, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing climate challenges, saying, "Energy transition is a critical element in climate change mitigation strategies in the Arab region. Through strategic collaborations, we seek to introduce and implement innovative solutions that effectively reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future.' HE Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al Malki, Assistant Secretary-General, Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at LAS, affirmed the League's commitment to supporting sustainability efforts. "The League of Arab States continues to facilitate climate action in our member countries. This workshop represents a pivotal step in enhancing our collective vision towards a low-carbon future through the application of expertise and innovative solutions," he said. The first workshop focused on the importance of carbon markets in supporting sustainable development, highlighting the role of Global Carbon Council, which is the first internationally recognized voluntary carbon market in the Global South. GCC aims to accelerate climate action by supporting green and sustainable projects to offset unavoidable carbon emissions during operations. GCC is fully accredited by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Program has already engaged over 1,500 diverse projects from 45+ countries, targeting the reduction of 2 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2032. The second workshop focused on sustainable built environment and energy efficiency, emphasizing the innovative standards developed by GORD, including the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). The GSAS framework is designed to enhance energy efficiency and develop green buildings in line with the highest international standards. Among GORD's innovations highlighted at the event was Synergia9n1, which is a multicore air conditioning system backed by international patents and awards. The system is innovative due to its ability to cool hot, humid outdoor air and ventilate both open and enclosed spaces with 50% energy efficiency compared to conventional systems. This significantly reduces both energy consumption and carbon emissions, making Synergia9n1 a transformative step for sustainably meeting cooling needs in the Arab region. Another solution highlighted was Energia, which is a performance-based energy assessment tool developed by GORD to support the decarbonization of both new and existing buildings. Based on CEN/ISO standards, Energia provides a comprehensive analysis of energy performance, providing accurate insights and practical recommendations to improve buildings' energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. By enabling decision makers to access accurate data and comprehensive performance assessments, Energia contributes to facilitating the shift toward more sustainable building practices. At the end of the workshops, participants emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation among Arab countries and developing policies that support the region's transition to a more sustainable future, focusing on innovation and adopting clean energy solutions as key pillars to achieve environmental and economic goals. Notably, this initiative is part of GORD's vision to drive sustainable development in the Arab world, and strengthening the region's position as an active contributor to international efforts aimed at combatting climate change and supporting the green economy. ABOUT GORD The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) is an RDI entity recognized among leading organizations in the global sustainability milieu. Headquartered in Qatar Science and Technology Park, GORD drives the transformation of societies, industries, and the built environment by influencing corporate ethos, fostering innovation, and developing capacity to enable low-carbon sustainable growth for present and future generations. The organization's key operations include R&D, standards setting, green buildings certification, accreditation services, voluntary carbon markets, performance testing, knowledge dissemination, 3D prototyping and advisory services on sustainability and climate change for governments, non-government, public and private sector organizations in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ABOUT LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES The League of Arab States is a regional organization formed on 22 March 1945. It currently has 22 members. The main goal of the league is to "draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries." League of Arab States facilitates political, economic, cultural, scientific and social programs designed to promote the interests of the Arab world.
