HH Sheikha Jawaher Attends Qatar University Graduating Ceremony

Doha, May 21 (QNA) - HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani graced Qatar University's women's graduating ceremony of Class of 2015 held here at the Qatar National Convention Centre. QU President Prof Sheikha Abdullah Al-Misnad presented degree certificates to 1041 students and 136 students for achieving GPA 3.50 and above. The ceremony also saw the awarding of Qatar's second PhD degree to Alaa Ghassan Aboutaqa from Department of Civil Engineering, which followed her male colleague Maan Mohammed Jalal Haj Rashid from Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department receiving the first-ever PhD degree at the male graduation ceremony the previous day. HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Vice Chairman of QU Board of Regents and Managing Director of Qatar Center of Leadership HE Sheikh Dr Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Thani, and Chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani attended the ceremony. QU Vice-Presidents and Associate VPs, deans, heads of department, invited guests, faculty, students’ relatives, and alumni also attended the event. The new graduates comprised 924 Bachelors, 106 Masters, 10 PharmD, and 1 Diploma. The undergraduate degrees by college represented 368 Arts & Sciences (CAS), 200 Business & Economics (CBE), 9 College of Education (CED), 134 Engineering (CENG), 92 Law (LAWC), 21 College of Pharmacy (CPH) and 99 Sharia & Islamic Studies (CSIS). Masters degrees by college were 26 CAS, 23 CBE, 12 CED, 35 CENG, 4 CPH, and 6 CSIS. Ten students received Doctor of Pharmacy degrees, while 1 received diploma in education and 1 PhD in engineering. Addressing the ceremony, Prof Al-Misnad thanked HH Sheikha Jawaher for honouring the graduates and praised the students for achieving their academic goals and reaping the rewards of hard work and perseverance. "We applaud your accomplishment and wish you the very best in your future endeavors," she told them. "Qatar University continues to ensure that it’s academic and research environment is of a standard that motivates students to strive for success and excellence. The institution is committed to developing human capabilities and offering opportunities for students to gain knowledge, experience and skills that empower them to lifelong learning and to contribute to driving the country’s development and progress." "QU is also committed to enriching its educational offerings, which is reflected in the establishment of the College of Medicine (CMED) based on a directive from His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Along with the College of Pharmacy and programs at the Health Sciences Department, CMED is designed to address the increasing need for Qatar- trained healthcare professionals, and to support the country's growing healthcare sector and national strategies in healthcare and education," Dr Al-Misnad said. She went on to note that women in the society benefit from equal opportunities to excel and develop their potential as leaders and entrepreneurs in line with national development strategies. "Qatar University continues to support and engage female students to become leaders in the world of business and other professional sectors, and achieve success and development, and to help them in overcoming challenges, societal restrictions and cultural barriers, and in balancing time and responsibilities between their personal and professional life," she said. Prof Al-Misnad thanked parents and faculty members for their support throughout the students’ academic journey. "Your contribution to their success is invaluable," she said. Valedictorian Eiman Al-Shammari of College of Arts and Sciences gave heartfelt congratulations to her colleagues saying, "Today we are preparing to start a new phase in our personal and professional lives. We have waited for a long time for this moment in our academic journey. "On behalf of my colleagues, I extend our gratitude to our parents and faculty for their contribution in our success, for their invaluable support and for guiding us in our endeavors. "We also thank Qatar University for providing us with high-quality academic programs and with opportunities that unlocked our potential and shaped us with the best skills and knowledge that meet the needs of the labour market and that will enhance our personal development." (QNA)