ArabWIC_learn Series: WordPress Workshop

Last month, on December 3rd 2016, we held the first workshop of the ArabWIC_learn series. In this workshop, we trained computer science and computer engineering students from different batches at Qatar University to build and publish websites, with a focus on e-commerce.
The event started with a fun, interactive introduction of ArabWIC and the Anita Borg Institute (ABI), where we played Kahoot! games with our students. The workshop then commenced with a 4 hour hands-on tutorial of WordPress, developed by Wafa Waheeda, a Master’s student and researcher at Qatar University. Students were provided with a tool and database on which they worked on their local computers, and were guided through their learning experience by our mentors; Zeinab, Amena, Rachel, Alaa, and Hanan.

Here’s what our event organizers and mentors had to say about their individual experiences:

Wafa Waheeda – Event Manager:

As the Technology Specialist for ArabWIC Qatar, I led the workshop on Introduction to web design with WordPress. The main objective of the workshop was to introduce website design by building an e-commerce website using WordPress. The use of WordPress to design websites was to convey that a technical task/project does not need to be solved with a complex approach. Simpler solutions can also lead to great results. The outcome of the workshop was very fruitful, as all the participants ended up developing their own e-commerce websites.

Alaa Moosa – Project manager:

After attending the Global Entrepreneurship Week event in Qatar, we saw that there was a huge demand for the use of mobile technology as a distribution channel in business. So, the WordPress workshop was delivered based on meeting that demand. The workshop focused on delivering the needed e-commerce knowledge required to start with the first step in the startup journey.

I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to deliver this workshop to Qatar University students; it’s never surprising to see talented and creative students from the national university. The result was amazing! We ended up with more than 15 e-commerce websites, each with a different business idea that can serve the community.

Aisha Mohammed N A Al-Naemi – Logistics Manager:

This was my first workshop since I joined ArabWIC, and I have to say it’s been one of the most exciting and fun experiences I’ve had. I feel like I have added one more goal in my life, aside from my career, since joining this team!

In this event, we helped the ladies learn how to develope their own e-commerce website, and everyone was excited, and interactive with the workshop! My responsibility in the workshop was to help with organization and design. I look forward to start mentoring and teaching, in the future, more and more Arab ladies about technologies that could really make their lives easier.

Amena Jabalhoque – Mentor:

Making these websites was a great new experience. I had a fun and productive time meeting with such wonderful ladies. I  also got to learn some great tips about WordPress myself!

Zainab – Mentor:

The quote “Girls Who Code” led me to WordPress. And I am very thankful and glad to have been a part of this WordPress event.

We would like to thank Qatar University Career Services Center for their support.