Qatar University Holds Women's Graduation Ceremony

Qatar University Holds Women's Graduation Ceremony Doha, November 30 (QNA) - Qatar University s women s graduation ceremony saw 879 students receive their certificates on the grounds of QU Stadium yesterday. QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al-Misnad congratulated the students in the presence of Guest of Honor and keynote speaker Qatar s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva H.E Ambassador Sheikha Alia a Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, members of QU leadership, special guests, Deans, heads of department, faculty, staff, students and well-wishers. The graduates represented 381 Bachelor s degrees from College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), 187 College of Business and Economics (CBE), 93 College of Engineering (CENG), 90 College of Shari a and Islamic Studies (CSIS), 42 College of Education (CED), 24 College of Law (LAWC), and 18 College of Pharmacy (CPH). This was the organization s first pharmacy graduates and the first in Qatar. Master s level graduates included 21 MBAs from CBE and 6 M.Ed Education Leadership from CED. Twelve (12) Early Childhood Diplomas, 4 Special Education, and 1 Primary Education were presented to CED graduates. 154 students were honored for distinguished achievement of being named on the Dean s List with GPA scores 3.5 and upwards, with the highest score 3.94 gained by Business and Economics student Omnia Fathy Elgendy. The ceremony was opened by valedictorian Sumaya Al Rayyes from College of Engineering who told the graduates: It s time to say "Farewell" but today s farewell is different from the usual one that is always marked with sorrow and tears today s tears are of delight and joy. Are we here only for a graduation ceremony or to take the opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to those who helped us in so many ways? Yesterday HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani honored the men's graduation ceremony and presence gave the students further energy and enthusiasm to achieve his vision and expectations for Qatar. Today, we are honored with the presence of the Head of Qatar s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Alia a Ahmed Bin Saif Al Thani, a seasoned diplomat who has participated in a number of international commissions on economic development, and women s and children s rights. She is a fitting role model to inspire you to give your best efforts in your future endeavors. Additionally, the graduation ceremony has this year returned to home ground after many of being held off-campus. This return enables us to celebrate you at your alma mater and to send you off as ambassadors to various professional, academic, and civil society sectors. This year s ceremony also witnesses the first batch of graduates from the College of Pharmacy. This College provides a qualitative alternative to the other majors offered at QU and has achieved a lot in a relatively short space of time. Prof Sheikha then introduced H.E. Sheikha Alia a Ahmed Bin Saif Al Thani, saying: "Through her professional career and success, Sheikha Alia a embodies and demonstrates a fine example of an educated, successful Qatari woman who carries national and international responsibilities and who dedicates her time and effort to achieve noble objectives. We are proud of Sheikha Alia a who is one of our College of Business alumni. She received her BSc in 1996 and an MA in International and Diplomatic Affairs in 2006 from the School of Eastern and African Studies at the University of London". HE Sheikha Al Thani thanked QU President for inviting her to "share with my graduate sisters this very important moment while heading towards their career life" and said further: "We are all proud of QU which, due to the diversity of its programs and majors, has become one of the most prominent higher education institutions in the country and enjoys a regional and international reputation". Sheikha Al Thani pointed to High Highness The Emir s vision and wise leadership on instituting a strong foundation of development and reform toward quality education for Qatari citizens for their eventual contribution to the country s economic and social development. "This has been clearly reflected in the development plans and initiatives launched by the government which focuses on investment in basic and higher education", she said. Congratulating the graduates on realizing their goals through considerable effort and hard work, she stated: "You are about to enter into a very crucial and golden phase of your life, a time when Qatari women have achieved a lot. Employment opportunities are wide open for her to work alongside her brothers to achieve quality development and progress. All that with unlimited encouragement and support from HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, along with the pioneering role of HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al Misnad, who I would like to thank for the constructive change that she has impacted in the lives of Qatari women". Sheikha Al Thani traced her journey from her graduation from QU s College of Business and Economics, to her work with the Supreme Council for Family Affairs along with other stakeholders to improve the status of women, children , and youth in general. "This paved my way to enter the world of diplomacy", she said, adding that she pursued graduate studies in International Relations and Political Science in the UK and later entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and joined Qatar s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York when Qatar was elected member to the UN Security Council. "I dedicated myself to promoting Qatar s efforts in the field of social development and human rights. I believe that a successful diplomat must be both diplomat and researcher to build a knowledge base that would assist him/ her in conducting business locally and abroad and to promote his/her country at the highest level worldwide". She noted that with the combined efforts of various stakeholders, Qatar has become, by virtue of its balanced foreign policy, a country that would lead international mediation efforts . "It has also positioned itself firmly on the world map in terms of human rights, children and women affairs, world security and stability, social development, and people with special needs", Sheikha Al-Thani said. She noted further that Qatar has contributed to numerous international agreements, and has become a hub for political and economic initiatives and negotiations, and a home of many international specialized centers such as the United Nations Center for Human Rights Training and Documentation and Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. (QNA)