Qatar Foundations Maktabi wins prestigious Silver SABRE Award

Barcelona, June 10 (QNA) - Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development has received the prestigious Silver SABRE Award one of the top honours in the communication industry for its weekly internal online platform Maktabi. Leading representatives from Qatar Foundation accepted the award from The Holmes Report at an official ceremony held in Barcelona, Spain. The SABRE (Superior Achievement in Branding and Reputation) Awards celebrate excellence in communication campaigns that exemplify a strategic approach in research and planning, innovative thinking, integrity and effectiveness. Maktabi was recognised in the Internal Publication category for its creative and effective digital content, reflecting Qatar Foundations sustained efforts to invest in innovative internal communication strategies. In so doing, the organisation has fostered a strong sense of community spirit and identity among all personnel, who are eager to carry forth its mission, vision and values. Having marked its one-year anniversary on May 31, Maktabi has created an open channel of enhanced communication by providing Qatar Foundation staff members with access to the latest news, events and announcements. The electronic newsletter plays a fundamental role in cultivating greater staff engagement. Rashed Al-Qurese, Qatar Foundations Deputy Director of Communication, highlighted that communication mechanisms at Qatar Foundation have all been benchmarked to international standards, and have been designed to create a healthy and positive dialogue amid an atmosphere of transparency. He said, "We are delighted to receive this prestigious award for Maktabi, since it plays an important role in reinforcing and refreshing Qatar Foundations vision and mission amongst our staff. The online portal provides a platform to showcase our achievements, motivating staff and creating a strong sense of identity at Qatar Foundation. The success of the e-newsletter is down to our staff and this is a unique opportunity to reflect upon the delightful sense of community present at Qatar Foundation." Mr Al-Qurese emphasised that Qatar Foundation will continue its forward-thinking approach through its broad internal communication strategy. The organisation aims to keep building upon the merits of its internal communication channels, placing paramount importance on keeping its greatest assets its staff members engaged and connected. Most importantly, Maktabi has succeeded in encouraging employees to take an active part in the organisations numerous initiatives. It plays a critical role in ensuring staff members are kept informed of breaking news across Qatar Foundation, and has greatly improved communication between divisions, directorates and centres. The portal also features an online souq where staff can buy and sell used items, thereby further enhancing interaction. Paul Holmes, Editor-in-Chief and CEO of The Holmes Report and chairman of the jury at the SABRE awards, acknowledged the exemplary value that Qatar Foundation has brought to its community by incorporating feedback from its employees and providing them with avenues for participation. "Internal communication has become more critical and more sophisticated in recent years. It is no longer enough to keep employees informed; the best organisations aim to keep them engaged, and if possible to turn them into ambassadors," said Mr Holmes. "To do that, they need to create internal communication channels that are compelling and credible, and that is just what the Qatar Foundation did with its new electronic newsletter Maktabi, which quickly became an integral part of the way the organisation united its employees and communicated its mission. Maktabi stood out for the commitment of senior management, the willingness to listen to staff feedback, and extraordinary high rates of employee participation." The SABRE Awards attract over 3,500 entries from more than 40 countries and are judged by senior professionals globally. Previous winners have included well-known multinational organisations such as Coca-Cola, Hilton Hotels, McDonalds, and Siemens. (QNA)