Carnegie Mellon welcomes class of 2016

Carnegie Mellon students, alumni and faculty have a few things in common.

Among them, their intellectual strength, creative spark, and a commitment to problem solving, said Jared L. Cohon, president of Carnegie Mellon University.

Cohon welcomed Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar’s newest students – the Class of 2016 – during the annual convocation ceremony held on Sunday. Their Carnegie Mellon degree, he said, would prepare them to be among the next generation of global leaders.

A long-standing university tradition, convocation marks the start of the academic year, and it’s on this day that the Class of 2016 officially become Tartans, members of the Carnegie Mellon global family.

“Class of 2016, welcome – we are delighted to have you. As I start my second year as dean of our Qatar campus, I know that I have made the right decision to come here. So have you,” said Ilker Baybars, dean of Carnegie Mellon Qatar.           

Dean Baybars called on students to “take risks, innovate and follow your passions. Get all you can out of Carnegie Mellon. Go to talks, seminars, and conferences. Participate in our international programs. Become a global citizen.”

The ceremony began with a traditional procession of faculty members and freshmen students in biological sciences, business administration, computer science and information systems. Almost 500 family, friends and community members attended.

During the ceremony, Latifa Al Rumaihi, a sophomore in business administration, spoke about the feelings and emotions she felt as a freshman:

“Around this time of year, I was in your shoes. I was an anxious and worried about my future, just like you. You may be wondering: Is Carnegie Mellon the right choice? Will I be able to survive the stressful weeks and tough assignments? Will I be able to overcome Carnegie Mellon and all of its hurdles?”

“My anxiety made me feel uneasy, but then I realized that nothing worthwhile comes easy in life,” Al Rumaihi said.

Hessa Al Thani, a recent graduate of Qatar Academy and a member of the incoming class studying business administration, chose the university for its diverse educational offerings.  

“Carnegie Mellon is renowned for its excellence in business, but, I am also passionate about architecture. Studying here gives me the unique flexibility to minor in architecture. I think it is brilliant that Carnegie Mellon works with other universities around Education City to offer new opportunities for students,” Al Thani said.

Masha Osman is a freshman studying biological sciences. “I am interested in studying medicine and wanted to be close to home.  Carnegie Mellon is a top university and with the new biological sciences degree offered in Qatar, it was the ideal option for me. Everything here is state of the art - education, professors and facilities.  I know it will be hard work but I'm ready for the challenges that lie ahead," she said.

The Class of 2016 in Qatar joins the more than 12,000 Carnegie Mellon students globally.