QF celebrates graduation of biggest ever batch

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) on Tuesday celebrated the graduation of its largest ever batch of Education City students in its history.

Held at Qatar National Convention Center, the ceremony was held in honor of the 672 graduates from the different universities at Education City. The 122 students from Hamad bin Khalifa University represented the largest number among graduates of all universities at this year’s Convocation.

The Convocation also celebrated the achievements of graduates from the eight partner universities of Qatar Foundation, including 68 graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and 43 doctors from Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. As for Texas A and M University at Qatar, 101 students graduated with 106 students from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, 57 students from Georgetown University in Qatar, while 38 students graduated from Northwestern University in Qatar. Meanwhile, HEC Paris in Qatar, which offers high quality programs to executive managers and directors in Qatar, celebrated the graduation of 94 students.

As for University College London in Qatar, 43 students graduated in the fields of Museum studies and Archaeology with vital skills needed to preserve Qatar's heritage and maintain its world-class museums.

This number represented the largest ever group to graduate from QF since its establishment in 1995. It also marked an increase of more than 22 percent in the number of graduates compared to 2014, and achieved more than 3,000 graduates from HBKU and QF partner universities since the establishment of QF. The first joint convocation of QF partner universities was held in 2008.

Following the group photos, Hamad bin Khalifa University President Dr. Ahmad Hasna honored the graduates by bestowing graduation rings, commemorating their time at Education City, accompanied by the deans of the respective universities. The graduates then passed through the 'Door to the Future,' a symbolic passage from education towards serving Qatar and the world alongside their fellow alumni.

Graduates hold bachelor and master's degrees in a selection of important specialties that are particularly aimed at Qatari youth and were carefully designed to tackle the main challenges facing Qatar so as to contribute to pushing forward the national economy.

Speaking on the occasion, Qatar Foundation President Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi expressed his honor at being with the young men and women who are embarking on "a new journey and realize their ambitions and that of Qatar." "The 2015 Convocation is particularly significant because it coincides with the 20th anniversary of QF, an organization which has endeavored to provide Qatari youth with the best educational opportunities so that they can be the leaders of the future. Therefore, we are twice as happy this year; happy to graduate a new batch of students who will strive to build their country, and happy about the 20th anniversary of this generous Foundation.

"I am delighted to see the pride, enthusiasm and hope in your eyes. Pride for what you have achieved so far. Enthusiasm for the challenges you're expecting in the coming days, and the hope of achieving your ambitions. You have been through an important phase of your life, and you are now at the next and equally important chapter; ready to reap the benefits of all your hard work and dedication. Education is the way to assume the social position you deserve, to build the career you dreamt about, in addition to paying back to this generous country, which has given and continues to give you so much," Al Muhannadi said as he congratulated the graduates of 2015.

The convocation ceremony started with a short film, which featured experiences and achievements of the 2015 graduates. Moreover, five students who won the Hamad bin Khalifa University President Award were also honored.