Distance education degree attestation
Dear Sir,
I understand that Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stopped the attestation of certificates achieved through distance education, pointing to the reason that many fake certificates are being submitted to it for approval.
To get educational certificates attested from the ministry, one now has to produce an official letter from the university which has been originally issued to them.
In the attestation format, the words “regular full time student” are highlighted.
That means a person who has got a certificate through distance education mode is not eligible for getting it attested from the ministry.
Without attestation from the ministry, certificates are invalid in the government sector.
The ministry’s decision has come as a huge disappointment to many expatriates who are keen to upgrade their educational qualifications.
The only way for expat workers in Qatar to upgrade their educational qualifications is through distance education.
If a person wishes to upgrade his/her qualification, while working, through distance education, they should get all support from the government.
Even though the courses are done under distance education mode, the exams are written in specified centres in the relevant country of the university.
Also, practicals, viva and internship are all being held as in case of regular students.
These courses encourage many workers to upgrade their educational qualifications.
If such distance mode courses are not beneficial, no university will conduct them.
I agree that some people might submit fake certificates for attestation.
But it doesn’t mean that all certificates are fake.
The government should support workers who want to upgrade their qualifications through distance learning courses as they are beneficial to the entire society.
Distance learning courses are becoming increasingly popular as a mode of education and are being utilised by many these days.
Whether seeking professional development, new skills, or a career change, there are distance learning courses at top-notch academic institutions around the world.
Therefore, I request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to look into this matter and amend the decision in favour of workers to encourage them to upgrade their educational qualifications.

JK
(Full name and address supplied)

A boon for commuters
Dear Sir,
Qatar Rail, consisting of metro and long distance and light rail transit, will change the transport scene in the state, making commuting  quite convenient.
It will greatly reduce the hours that we spend in traffic jams now.
Let me give an example.
I work as a security guard in Old Doha.
And our accommodation is on Street 52 in the Industrial Area.
Because of traffic jams in the morning rush hours, we are forced to wake up at 3am in order to arrive at the workplace by 5:30!
The train service will enable us to reach our workplace in minutes.
As a result, it will give me more time to relax and refresh and that will, I’m sure, will increase my productivity.
The rail service will also cut down the number of traffic accidents.

George Matubia
georgematubia@yahoo.com