Tribune News Network
Doha
Under the patronage of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar University (QU) celebrated the graduation ceremony of its 46th batch, Class of 2023, at the QU Sports and Events Complex on Monday, May 8, 2023.
This year, 3,913 students graduated with bachelor’s, diploma, master’s, doctorate, and doctor of pharmacy degrees.
The ceremony included graduates of the following semesters: Summer 2022, Fall 2022 and Winter 2023, and those expected to graduate in Spring 2023. As part of QU’s Class of 2023, 767 male students celebrated in the male graduation ceremony in the presence of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who honoured 107 distinguished male students.
As QU graduated its 46th cohort of graduates, the university continues to chronicle a long history spanning decades in which it contributes to Qatar’s development and prosperity, through boosting the labour market with qualified graduates.
In his speech on the occasion, President of QU Dr Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham said, “Today, we celebrate the 46th batch of Qatar University of 3,913 male and female graduates to join the ranks of the over 64,000 graduates of the university since its establishment. Throughout its history from its establishment in 1977 until today, Qatar University has had the honour of contributing to achieving the goals of the state and its leadership’s aspirations through its distinguished academic formation, institutional culture, outstanding scientific and research capabilities, preparing generations of competencies and experiences.”
He added, “The comprehensive progress witnessed by Qatar across various economic, social and political fields could not have been achieved without the grace of Allah (SWT) and without your insightful vision and wise leadership in steering the ship of our beloved homeland, following in the footsteps of the founding fathers of Qatar, in accordance with clear strategies, goals and implementation plans that are subject to continuous monitoring and evaluation. In this context, Qatar University recognises its responsibility as the national university and its role as a major source of supplying the job market with the necessary competencies to achieve the state’s development plans and as a home of expertise that benefits all sectors of the state and society.”
Addressing the graduates, Dr Derham said, “Today, you are at a critical milestone. Just recently, you were students in university halls, and now you are receiving your graduation certificates in front of the leader of our beloved nation. Tomorrow, you will start your career and contribute to the building of your country and your nation. Therefore, my dear sons, you must always remember your responsibilities towards Allah Almighty, your beloved country, and HH The Amir of the country.
“Remember HH the Amir’s words when he honoured us with a visit to the university on October 19, 2016, where he advised you, saying, ‘the human being is the most important building block of a nation and its greatest investment. Qatar has invested in its youth, it progresses by you and looks forward to you.’My dear graduates, following his guidance, I urge you to strive hard for the prosperity of this nation that has given you so much. Now is the time for dedication and giving. Be a shining example by serving your country, being faithful to your leadership, and being loyal to your families, and rest assured that your university doors will always remain open for you.”
He concluded, “I extend my sincere congratulations and deepest gratitude to your esteemed parents for their unwavering support and dedication towards your academic journey.”
As a representative of the 46th graduating class, Abdullah Al Ansari said, “On a podium where 45 representatives of the graduates have stood before me, they have been honoured to recall the heroic achievements and glorious history of Qatar before the leaders who made it possible. Qatar’s star shone brightly in the sky of achievement, unparalleled by any of its contemporaries.”
He adds, “When Qatar University was founded in 1977, the late Grandfather His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, may Allah have mercy on him, addressed the first batch of graduates, saying: ‘We, the people of Qatar, are inseparable from three identities: our affiliation with Islam, our affiliation with the Arab nation and our affiliation with humanity.’ These powerful words echo through time and space, reminding us of the values that have shaped Qatar’s character and defined its path. As we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates today, we must remember that their success is a reflection of Qatar’s unwavering commitment to these ideals.”
Dr Khalid Al Hashimi, QU professor from the College of Business and Economics and host of the ceremony, said: “Qatar University, this towering academic institution, has been and will continue to be, by the grace of Allah, a shelter for knowledge, fuel for innovation, and a hub for scientific research. Since its establishment in the late 1970s, tens of thousands of graduates, both male and female, have graduated from it. Each graduate has his or her own unique story and narrative they have written with their minds and hands.”
“These moments we are living now are the moments that the graduates of this batch have been eagerly waiting for with patience, perseverance and determination. They have lived through years of study, facing challenges with great patience and determination until they overcome them and achieve milestones with their unwavering determination and strong will.”
