HH the Father Emir and HH Sheikha Moza Witness Cconferral of Degrees upon Graduates of HBKU

Doha, May 06 (QNA) - HH the Father Emir Shiekh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, witnessed the conferral of degrees upon graduates of Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), member of QF, and the celebration of the graduates of its partner universities at Convocation 2014, held Tuesday at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Five postgraduate students of HBKU's Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII) and 76 postgraduate students of Qatar Faculty and Islamic Studies (QFIS), make up HBKUs graduating class of 2014. The newest alumni of HBKU represent Qatar and 23 additional countries. They were joined by the graduates of HBKUs partner universities, which included an additional 468 students. In an address to those attending the event, His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, Ph.D., President of HBKU, said: "This year, our ceremony includes the first conferral of Hamad bin Khalifa University masters and diploma degrees upon graduates of the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies and of the Translation and Interpreting Institute." He added: "HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has stressed the central role of education in our countrys development, and it remains the key instrument to achieve a knowledge-based society which is the focus of Qatar National Vision 2030. It is also essential to forming individuals who are able to contribute to their countrys long-term welfare." President Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani said that the numbers of graduates and range of specializations at Convocation was growing year by year. "This is evidence of fulfilling the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of a close network of institutions with a broad range of academic offerings that meet the needs of Qatar and the region." Also present at Convocation 2014 were a number of senior officials, diplomats, and family and friends of the graduates. President Al-Thani presented each member of the Class of 2014 with a commemorative ring. The graduates of HBKU's QFIS and TII were the last to take to the stage for the conferral of their degrees. The HBKU graduates were awarded masters degrees in a variety of disciplines: Translation Studies, Islamic Studies in Contemporary Fiqh, Contemporary Muslim Thought and Societies, Islamic Studies in Comparative Religions, Public Policy in Islam, and Islamic Finance. HBKU also recognized participants completing diploma programs in Islamic Finance and Public Policy in Islam. On the accomplishments of QFIS' most recent graduates, Dr. Hatem El-Karanshawy, the Dean of the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies said: "It has been a blessing to witness the journey of our students from when they joined us with a passion to pursue knowledge to the marking of their achievement today. I have no doubt that our graduates have used their time at QFIS to enrich their academic, professional and personal lives, and that they leave us as leaders grounded in the richness of Islamic tradition and culture." Speaking on this happy occasion, Dr. Amal Al-Malki, Executive Director of TII said: "We are very proud of our first batch of Master of Arts in Translation Studies students, whose qualification has been recently accredited by the University of Geneva. They are fully deserving of this validation of their achievements. These graduates are equipped with the right tools, and the academic and professional backgrounds, to pursue a wide variety of careers, including in business and the media, but also in higher education in the form of a Ph.D. in translation-related studies." Speaking as a member of HBKUs graduating class, Fatema Al-Hadad, a student of TII, acknowledged the benefits of pursuing a graduate degree by saying: "Joining HBKU has been my gateway to a world-class higher education at a Qatari university where I had the opportunity to develop my research skills and put them into practice. Today, I am fully confident that my qualifications have prepared me to participate in knowledge creation on a national and global level." Fellow QFIS graduate Noof Faisal Al-Thani added: "Studying Public Policy in Islam at QFIS has been a positive addition to my life, as the selection of courses and thoughtful teaching methods have enhanced my debating skills and expanded my knowledge. It has enriched my awareness of political science, religion, and public policy, and it has given me the opportunity to make connections with peers from various cultures." (END)