Eni Joins Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar’s Founding Family Members

10 May 2023

Italian international energy company Eni is joining Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar as one of the ‘Founding Family’ members of Qatar’s first publicly funded national entity. Eni will be the exclusive sponsor of Dadu’s Research Centre, which will provide a bespoke space for teachers, parents and academics interested in the latest research on child development and informal learning, as well as support children to participate in research and develop 21st Century research skills.

Commenting on Eni’s sponsorship, Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa said: “Eni joins Dadu’s ever-expanding ‘Founding Family’ members whose support and shared vision will contribute to the growth and development of Qatar’s bright next generation. We are grateful for their generosity which brings us closer to realizing our vision of enriching the lives of children and their families. The joint expertise of Eni and Qatar Museums will further support Qatar’s creative vision and the human and social development pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar is being designed to provide cutting-edge child development surroundings and resources to help children and their families thrive. The new Research Centre will further support this vision by providing central research and resource space, offices, comfort facilities and more. With Eni’s contribution, the Research Centre will place children and families at the heart of cutting-edge child development and museum research, as participants, stakeholders and co-researchers. Outcomes of professional and academic research will in turn benefit local and global child development understanding and practice, supporting the evolution of visitor engagement and museum practice in Dadu. The centre is a cornerstone in Qatar Museums’ drive to be a global cultural epicentre for research and education.

The announcement of Eni joining Dadu comes in tandem with the INTERCOM Doha 2023 Conference, in which Dadu took part in through two presentations focusing on the importance of building the capabilities of future generations, in line with the upcoming Research Centre. The first, Museum School Programs In Qatar: Opportunities And Challenges, exploring teachers, schools leaders and museum leaders towards Qatar Museums’ several education programs that aim to engage school teachers and educators in Qatar in a variety of topics from Literacy, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths (STEAM) to environment and sustainability and culture and heritage to voice their experiences and challenges. In addition to reflecting on museum leaders characteristics The second, Our Future Museum Leaders: A Co-Created Framework with Children For Children, stresses on the importance of developing age appropriate models and frameworks for leadership development in children.

For more information about Dadu: Children’s Museum of Qatar, and to keep up to date with activities and events, follow Dadu on Instagram at @daduqatar.

About Dadu - Children's Museum of Qatar

Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, will provide a unique place for learning and growth through inclusive, open-ended play, exploration, and experimentation. Through an oasis of stimulating, interactive, and accessible indoor and outdoor experiences for families in the heart of Doha, Dadu will nurture children’s development, inspire their curiosity, encourage collaboration and dialogue, provide the tools to fuel creativity and instil a sense of social responsibility. Under development by Qatar Museums, the new institution is designed to challenge and inspire children and advance the Qatar National Vision 2030 for human, social, economic and environmental development. The Dadu Gardens, opened in 2022, lies adjacent to the future Dadu museum building in Al Bidda Park. Dadu also continues to engage the community in Qatar through programmes from family events with allied organizations to museum-in-residences in schools around Doha. Essa Al Mannai has served as the Museum’s director since 2019.

About Qatar Museums

Qatar Museums (QM), the nation’s preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves and expands the nation’s cultural offerings, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.

Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, and amplify the voices of Qatar’s people.

Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the development of museums and festivals including the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar (NMOQ), 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, and the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival. Future projects include Dadu: Children’s Museum of Qatar, Art Mill Museum, Qatar Auto Museum and the Lusail Museum.

Qatar also has one of the largest and most ambitious public art programmes in the world. Through its Department of Archaeology, QM spearheads several initiatives to preserve and restore Qatar’s historical sites and buildings. QM also initiates and supports Creative Hubs that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure. These include the Fire Station: Artist in Residence, M7 for innovation, fashion and design, and Liwan Design Studios and Labs. For more information visit https://qm.org.qa