In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani, wife of His Highness the Amir
Under the patronage and presence of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani, wife of His Highness the Amir, Qatar University (QU) organized yesterday the graduation ceremony of its 45th batch of distinguished female students at the QU Sports and Events Complex, which included 479 distinguished female students. The graduation ceremony of the Class of 2022 includes graduates of the following semesters: Fall 2021 and Winter 2022, in addition to those who are expected to graduate by the end of Spring 2022.
In his speech on this occasion, President of QU Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al-Derham said, “Today we celebrate the 45th batch of Qatar University graduates who will join our alumni of 42,000 female graduates since the university’s founding.”
He adds, “The University has begun its strategic mobility by developing an integrated strategy from 2018 to 2023. At the end of this academic year, we are pleased to see that the concerted efforts and cadres of the various sectors of the University have borne fruit and turned the strategy into reality. In the university rankings, Qatar University has maintained its position in the top 250 universities in the QS World University Rankings. It is one of the top 350 universities internationally, according to the Times Higher Education rankings. Qatar University also ranked second among Arab universities according to both ranking institutions.”
“In order for Qatar University to ensure continued improvement and development and maintain educational quality standards, the University worked to achieve accreditation from the WSCUC organization, in terms of expansion and offering programs that respond to the needs of the community. The University passed the first phase, in which we try to get the institutional accreditation, which ended in March 2021, and the second phase in January 2022. We are now working on the final phase, which is expected to be completed in February 2023.”
Discussing the University’s efforts in regards to digital transformation, Dr. Hassan says, “The University has made qualitative progress and has raised its position to cope with the new developments in the digital world. We developed a number of academic courses, when we offered online learning, in accordance to best international standards, with the aim of extending bridges between Qatar and the world, to introduce Qatari culture and identity, coinciding with the World Cup.”
“In the scientific research and scientific publication sector, the academic year was rich with achievements. Our scholars and faculty published more than 2,500 rigorous scientific researches this year alone. QU Press also released 34 new titles this year in various scientific disciplines.”
“In the international dimension, UNESCO awarded Qatar University the UNESCO Chair in Desalination and Water Treatment, the first in the Gulf region. It is now involved in developing the research agenda in this scientific discipline in collaboration with 30 international universities.”
“In addition, the University in cooperation with Harvard University, the University of Michigan, and Hamad Medical Corporation conducted the ‘The World Mental Health Qatar’ study , which is the first national study aiming to collect comprehensive data on the prevalence and associated factors of mental disorders to enhance our understanding of the epidemiology of mental illness in Qatar’s society today.”
“With regard to the development of the university's facilities and infrastructure, four new buildings at the university were completed this year: the College of Law, Education, Engineering and the Student Affairs Building. This boasts a building area of 246,000 square meters, representing an increase of 46% of the total area of the university buildings.”
“The importance of innovation and leadership in our contemporary world is no secret, so this has been an important focus of the University's strategy. In this context, The University launched several pillars of the innovation and leadership system, the most important of which is the establishment of the Office of Strategic Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Economic Development, which has designed, developed and launched many training, support and funding programs to drive the establishment of Qatar's emerging knowledge and technology companies. The University also established a private holding company that allows it to have flexibility in contributing to the process of economic development of its innovations, intellectual outputs, assets, knowledge, research and capabilities of its employees.”
Dr. Hassan concluded his speech saying, “These successes could only have been achieved with the blessings of Allah (SWT) and with the continued support of the good government, the vigorous follow-up of the Board of Regents and the efforts of the sons and members of our dear university.”
In consideration of the health and safety of the attendees, the University insured that safety and precautionary measures approved by the state were fully undertaken during the event
During the ceremony, graduate Dana Ali Al-Mulla gave a speech as a representative on behalf of the 45th graduating class, QU Professor of Arabic Language Lolwa Al-Abdulla in QU acted as the master of ceremonies.
As QU graduates its 45th cohort of graduates, the university continues to chronicle a long history spanning decades in which it contributes heavily to Qatar’s development and prosperity, through boosting the labor market with qualified graduates. Considering the current pandemic, safety and precautionary measures approved by the state were undertaken during the event.
Source: QATAR UNIVERSITY