By Peter Alagos
Business Reporter

The College of the North Atlantic – Qatar (CNA-Q) on Friday hosted its first motor show “Mowater Qatar 2015,” which showcased around 80 classic and modern automobiles at the campus in Duhail.

The brainchild of Basil Saieed, student development officer of CNA-Q’s Student Affairs Department, the event “recognised the importance and prestige of automobiles in Qatar’s culture.”

“Not only is the motor show fun, but it is also educational at the same time,” explained Saieed, who told Gulf Times that the primary goal is to form a stronger bond between parents and their children.

“The event aims to espouse a tighter, stronger bond between parent and child by helping adults understand why the youth are attracted to specific hobbies such as cars or sports and music. In this particular case, once parents meet hobbyists and car collectors, hopefully they would understand and develop a passion for automobiles with their children.”

“It could also help dispel parents’ misconception that automobile hobbyists, collectors, or groups are irresponsible motorists. Many of these people are educated and responsible automobile owners.”

For the youth who are into vintage, exotic, or high-end automobiles, the motor show is also a venue for them to meet and interact with hobbyists and automobile owners, Saieed said.

“The show is a mixture of car lovers, automobile groups, collectors, and teenagers who have a passion for cars but have no contacts or idea where to meet up with people with similar interests,” added Saieed, who developed a passion for cars while growing up in Qatar in the 1990s.

Saieed said despite having similar automobile shows being held simultaneously with Mowater Qatar 2015, the “positive response” from visitors and participants has encouraged CNA-Q to make the show an annual event.

“We are proud to be the first university in Doha to organise such an event. And due to the positive response of the participants and the visitors who attended this inaugural event, we are encouraged to make this motor show an annual occasion and a trademark event for CNA-Q,” he stressed.

According to Saieed, a follow-up event for Mowater Qatar 2015 will be staged in February 2016. Entitled “Auto Safety,” the event aims to address the pressing issues involving young drivers in road accidents.

“This motor show serves an introduction to our second event in February. After generating enthusiasm among the youth, the next step is to educate them on road safety,” Saieed said, adding that “Auto Safety” will enjoin experts from the Ministry of Interior, Al Fazaa, and the Traffic Department.

“Without generating interest from the youth, road safety has no impact on teenagers because of the lack of enthusiasm for educational seminars or workshops, which is why the goal of the motor show is to make it fun for teenagers and then it will not be difficult getting them to participate in the ‘Auto Safety’ event next year,” he further explained.

“I don’t see the point of being interested in a hobby that does not serve a purpose. The goal is to mix a certain passion with the intention to help educate people on pressing issues such as road safety, strong family ties and family values, and also experiences that could help bring parents closer to their children.”