September 28, 2000:
Qatar Joins GLOBE!
The GLOBE Program welcomes Qatar, a peninsula nation that juts into the Arabian Gulf, as the Program's 94th partner country. Officials from Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the United States Ambassador signed the bilateral Agreement in Doha, Qatar's capital city."We are delighted that Qatar's school children and educators are about to share the exciting, protocol-driven, hands-on science education opportunities enjoyed by an ever-increasing number of students, teachers and scientists around the world," said Lyn D. Wigbels, GLOBE's Assistant Director for International Programs.
"They'll also have the satisfaction of making scientifically authentic contributions to the worldwide understanding of the planet," Ms. Wigbels continued. "Plus, GLOBE makes learning fun!"
His Excellency Sheikha Al-Mahmoud, Undersecretary of Education and Higher Education and U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth McKune signed the official bilateral agreement, amid much local press coverage, according to embassy officials.
Initially, two model scientific public high schools were selected by the Education Ministry to be the first schools to participate in the Program. Four Qatar teachers and their Country Coordinator are attending a training workshop in Stratford-on-Avon so they can quickly start up GLOBE in their country.