Tribune News Network
Doha
QATAR Foundation's (QF's) Awsaj Academy, operating under Pre-University Education (PUE), celebrated and honoured its 13th graduation class at a ceremony in the Awsaj Academy auditorium in Education City recently.
Awsaj Academy honoured 23 students during the ceremony, in the presence of Fahad al Subaiey, Chairman of Awsaj Academy Board of Governors; Buthaina Ali al Nuaimi, President, PUE, QF; Stuart Leeming, Executive Director, QF schools; Abeer M al Khalifa, Executive Director, Academic Affairs, PUE, QF; Dr Donald Francis, Director of Awsaj Academy; as well as a number of guests, parents, staff and faculty members.
Dr Donald Francis, Director of Awsaj Academy, acknowledged the positive achievements made at Awsaj Academy. He referred to the increase in student numbers and the fact that Awsaj Academy is a pioneer institution in adapting and applying all modern, advanced and evidence-based educational methods and creating smart partnerships with educational and vocational institutions, locally and abroad.
"The quality of the education process at Awsaj Academy has enabled and helped students to progress and develop, each according to their capabilities and individual potential. We are delighted to help to build and develop the graduates to be effective individuals capable of supporting themselves and representing the future of Qatar."
Dr Francis concluded:"We are special because there is a place for diversity in every school, in every classroom. We are special because we are pioneers, we are leaders, and we are the future of this great country. We are special because the Awsaj Way is about a belief, about a determination to succeed despite the many challenges we will each face in life. I proudly proclaim myself a lifetime member of the Awsaj family."
In her speech, Fatima Mohammed, an Alumna of Academy Awsaj Class of 2012 and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar Class of 2016, stressed the importance of perseverance to succeed and urged the graduates to be proud of being Awsaj Academy graduates.
"Be proud that you graduated from Awsaj Academy, which supported you to reach an important stage of your life and follow your dreams. This achievement would not be possible without the services provided to you by the school and your teachers, as well as the support from your families," she said.
Addressing classmates and attendees, Abdulla al Mansouri and Moza al Sulaiti expressed their joy at harvesting the fruit of their hard work and persistence.
William Vue, High School Principal, stressed the importance of the goal and ambition of Awsaj Academy and urged the graduates to make a positive impact with every step they take:"Graduates, you have done well and lived up to the Awsaj values, however, please remember there is no end to growth, persistence and contribution. You need to continue your journey of becoming responsible citizens."
Fahad al Subaie, Chairman of Awsaj Academy Board of Governors, Dr Francis, Director of the Academy, and William Vue, Principal, High School, awarded diplomas and gifts to the graduates when announcing the official graduation of the Class of 2018. Ali Makki and Jabor al Thani were announced as the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of 2018, respectively.
Awsaj Academy, part of QF, is a K-12 specialised school that addresses the needs of students with mild to moderate learning challenges that can fit in a classroom with nine other students and one teacher. Awsaj Academy is the only school of its kind in Qatar and one of only a handful of schools dedicated to working with students who have demonstrated aptitude in certain areas while facing academic challenges in others.