First Generation of ASPIRE Students Graduate
ASPIRE Ambassador Hicham El Guerrouj Presents Successful Students with Graduation Certificates
ASPIRE celebrated a major milestone, with the first-ever graduation ceremony for students who have successfully completed their course of training and education at the prestigious Academy.
The graduation ceremony marks a historic moment for the Academy, with the students – some of who joined at the age of thirteen years old – moving on to further education, vocational training and even full athletic careers.
In total, 23 successful students graduated at the ceremony, the majority of whom joined the Academy in 2004 following its launch.
Experts from ASPIRE’s Quality Management, Education and Social Affairs Department (QESA) has ensured that the young men have been provided with a fully-rounded program of learning, both in and out of the class room.
Among the graduates are students who have specialized in football, table tennis, athletics, swimming and squash. All of them have balanced a busy sporting schedule with diligent study and education across an advanced curriculum.
Guest of honor at the Graduation Ceremony was ASPIRE Ambassador and triple world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj.
The double Olympic champion, who broke world records for the 1,500 meters, the mile and 2,000 meters, spoke to the students about the importance of study and dedication as part of a successful career in athletics.
El Guerrouj said: “Internationally, ASPIRE is recognized a pioneering project to discover and develop world-class athletic talent in Qatar. The students who have graduated today were among the first pioneers, and they deserve our congratulations and support.”
ASPIRE’s Career Management programs provide guidance throughout students’ time at ASPIRE, ensuring that every student athlete leaving the Academy possesses a professional or academic career plan consistent with his capabilities and interests.
Many of the successful students who graduated have developed exceptional aptitude in their chosen sporting field. Class valedictorian Ahmed Khalil addressed his fellow student athletes at the ceremony, and urged them to continue to train and develop their skills.
Ahmed Khalil said: “The graduating class of 2008 all look to make the best possible contribution to Qatar, whether as sportspeople or in our future careers. ASPIRE has given us a very strong start by providing us with both sporting development and education – we now need to ensure that we build on this platform.”
Educators at ASPIRE since the opening of the Academy have successfully created an environment that supports the sporting, academic and social educational needs of student athletes, and the success of the graduands is being seen as an important benchmark for the Academy’s growth and development.
Prof. Dr. Dieter Hackfort, Dean of ASPIRE said: “Each and every student has made remarkable progress during their time with us in their personal development and in achieving success both academically and in their chosen sport. These students will be an inspirational example and will induce motivation to other students at ASPIRE, and to other young athletes in the region.”
Through the course of the training at the ASPIRE academy the students have competed in national and international tournaments right across the world, giving them an understanding of competing at the highest level.
