Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; Chairperson of Qatar Foundation H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser; and CEO of Qatar Foundation H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani with faculty and graduates of QF partner universities at the convocation.
Doha: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani graced the Qatar Foundation (QF) Convocation, which celebrated the academic achievements of 2020, 2021, and 2022 classes of QF partner universities yesterday.
QF’s first in-person convocation in three years was also attended by Chairperson of Qatar Foundation H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser; Consort of H H the Amir, H H Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani; Speaker of the Shura Council, H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, and other dignitaries.
The hybrid event honoured graduates from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and QF’s eight partner universities, showcasing student achievements, success stories, and future aspirations. They included 800 students from the Class of 2022.
Graduating classes walked through the traditional ‘Door to the Future’, symbolising their passage from university to the next stage in their lives.
The Class of 2022 added their names to the growing ranks of QF alumni, which now totals more than 8,000.
CEO of Qatar Foundation H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani addressing the graduates.
Addressing the graduates, CEO of Qatar Foundation H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, said, “There are no orphan ideas, no orphan generations. We will always be connected to those that came before us. We will always be the continuation of our forefathers.
“If you find some truths unbearable, listen to them anyway. Take the time to understand what our forefathers stood for and why. Then take the time to understand what your role is in this journey. Your learning journey has just started.”
Former president of QF, late Dr. Fathy Saoud, who played an instrumental role in the journey of the organisation from its very first years onward was remembered and honoured during the ceremony. A film chronicling his contribution to QF was also played at the event.
HBKU President Dr. Ahmad M. Hasnah announced that the position of Chair Professor of Biological Sciences in the College of Health and Life Sciences at HBKU will be created in Dr. Fathy Saoud’s name, with biological sciences having been his field of study.
Dr Muhammed Al Nufal alumnus of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar delivered a keynote speech inspiring the graduating students.
The keynote speaker at this year’s Convocation ceremony was QF alumnus Dr. Mohammed Al Nufal, who graduated from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar in 2012. He is a pediatrics physician in the US. As a QF student, he was among the speakers in Qatar’s bid to secure the FIFA World Cup 2022.
With less than 200 days to go before the first FIFA World Cup Qtaar 2022, Dr. Al Nufal told graduates, “I have learned that if you want to achieve anything, big or small, that reflects QF’s vision, you have to first believe in your idea as QF believed in its vision.”
