Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani and other dignitaries attending the graduation of 44th batch of students at Qatar University, yesterday.
Doha: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani patronised the graduation ceremony of the 44th batch (class of 2021) of Qatar University’s (QU) male students, which was held at the University’s Sports and Events Complex yesterday. This year 3,648 students graduated as part of QU’s Class of 2021.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Their Excellencies Sheikhs and members of the University’s Board of Trustees, Vice-Presidents of the University and students’ parents.
During the ceremony, H H the Amir honoured the 126 outstanding graduates, while President of Qatar University Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham handed the certificates to 829 graduate students in various disciplines.
The College of Medicine at Qatar University (QU-CMED) also celebrated the graduation of its first batch of graduates, which included 46 students — 65 percentage females, within the celebration of the graduation ceremony of the 44th batch.
A documentary film was shown about QU’s achievements during the academic year 2020-2021, and the most prominent activities, programs and research innovations in various fields, in addition to interviews with members of the University’s community, including graduates of the College of Medicine and faculty members, in which they talked about their academic achievements and research.
Dr. Hassan, during his speech, said: “While we are celebrating the 44th batch of Qatar University graduates, our beloved country is witnessing a comprehensive renaissance that would not have been achieved without the accumulation of the efforts exerted by its people and their standing behind its leaders.”
He added that Qatar University had the honour to contribute to this comprehensive renaissance by preparing generations of over 57,000 graduates who have contributed to building the homeland.
Qatar University President Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham addressing the graduation ceremony yesterday.
Dr. Hassan also hailed Qatar’s first-ever Shura Council elections, which are a constitutional entitlement that marks the beginning of a new era in the comprehensive renaissance of the State. He praised the efforts of the State of Qatar and its wise government in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the success of Qatar University in continuing to carry out its mission and roles while adhering to the precautionary measures.
Addressing H H the Amir, Dr. Hassan said, “When I talk about such success, achieved by the University, it is necessary to refer to Your Highness’s vision foreseeing the future, when you directed seven years ago to establish the first national medical college at the University. Today, we are witnessing the graduation ceremony of its first batch. The day that this assignment was issued by Your Highness, the University felt the magnitude of this challenge and made every effort to be worthy of your confidence. The University designed the colleges programs through a unique approach based on learning through problem-solving. The University also attracted a distinguished group of academic experts, known for their excellence in education and medical practice.”
Discussing QU’s achievements in the health field, Dr. Hassan noted: “Today we are reaping the fruits of these efforts through our success in preparing and graduating highly-qualified and distinguished physicians, which qualified them to join the residency programs at Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation.
“Thanks to the guidance of His Highness and the support of the University’s Board of Regents, the University succeeded not only in establishing the first national medical college, but we also succeeded in establishing a healthy community consisting of the College of Health Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine. This unique gathering has helped build a real partnership with health institutions in the country, which has enabled the University to have an effective contribution to confronting the pandemic. Here, I cannot fail to thank the Ministry of Public Health for its support in establishing the College of Medicine and the QU Health cluster.”
Graduating students, faculty, officials and guests attending the graduation ceremony at Qatar University yesterday.
Dr. Hassan also noted another example of its partnerships with various state institutions, noting QU’s collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, represented by the Joaan bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College, which witnessed the graduation of its first pioneering class of students holding a Master’s degree in defence studies.
In addition, Dr. Hassan noted that in the field of training and continued education, the Community Service and Continuing Education Center (CCE) at the University offers more than 400 training courses and preparation programs for professionals that contribute to raising the efficiency of trainees through the latest training methods used globally.
Speaking on QU’s placement in international rankings, Dr. Hassan said: “These efforts have been reflected in the University’s progress in the list of the world’s best universities. According to the QS rankings (Quacquarelli Symonds World University Ranking 2022), the University ranked 224 globally. The University also ranked second best in the Arab world according to the Times Higher Education rankings. This great achievement would not have been possible without the grace of Allah and had it not been for the guidance and diligent follow-up of the University’s Board of Regents and the continued support of the government.”
Student representative Salman Fares Al Ahbabi, a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, said, “I am honoured to speak on behalf of the graduates on this joyful day. The happiest moment in a student’s life is when he obtains his degree after many years of hard work. Today, we are here, coming from different places and disciplines; we have entered from different doors, aiming to build our country, in terms of knowledge and culture.”
QU’s new strategy emphasises elevating the student experience by placing QU as a pioneer and a leading educational institution in the higher education sector in Qatar and abroad. QU is committed to providing quality education in areas of national priority, moving towards building a knowledge-based society.
