Graduates look forward to a memorable convocation

Fresh graduates are eagerly awaiting recognition at Hamad bin Khalifa University’s Convocation 2012 tomorrow (May 8).

This will be the fifth such event to be held at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) ,and the first to be held under the auspices of Hamad bin Khalifa University which brings together all of the higher education and related research at QF.

During the celebratory occasion at Qatar National Convention Centre, 373 students will be honoured for their achievement before walking through a symbolic door that represents their entrance to a new stage of life and a very promising future.

The number of graduates this year is significantly higher compared to 2011 when 243 were awarded. The gender gap has also closed, with 188 women and 185 men making up the class of 2012.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of QF, will attend the ceremony and lead the charge to the Class of 2012. The welcoming speech will be given by His Excellency Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, President of Hamad bin Khalifa University and Vice President of Education at QF. He will also present students with their rings.

Josh Spear, one of the youngest and most influential global marketing strategists in the world, will deliver the keynote speech to the graduates.

The first group of graduating students from Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) will walk alongside fellow graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University – School of Foreign Service in Qatar, Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies, and HEC Paris in Qatar.

Although each university has its own graduation ceremony, Convocation 2012 brings together undergraduate and postgraduate students from several universities within Hamad bin Khalifa University. Students who have excelled and made a difference on campus will be given special recognition at the ceremony.