Amir honours outstanding QU graduates

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Doha: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani patronised the graduation ceremony of the 43rd batch (Class of 2020) of Qatar University students, which was held at the University’s Sports and Events Complex yesterday. This year 3,188 students graduated as part of QU’s Class of 2020. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani and Their Excellencies members of the University’s Board of Trustees and Vice-Presidents of the University. H H the Amir honoured the 109 outstanding graduates, while Qatar University President Dr. Hassan Al Derham handed the certificates to 733 graduate students in various disciplines. The annual convocation includes graduates from a full academic year comprising Fall 2019, Winter 2020, Spring 2020, and Summer 2020. A documentary was shown about QU’s achievements during the academic year 2019-2020, including the most prominent activities, programmes, and research innovations in various fields. Another presentation also highlighted how the university rapidly shifted to online teaching due to COVID-19, the university’s contributions to the country’s efforts to combat the pandemic, the development of the university’s infrastructure, and the opening of the College of Dental Medicine. As QU graduates its 43rd cohort of graduates, the university continues to chronicle a long history spanning decades. It contributes heavily to Qatar’s development and prosperity by boosting the labour market with qualified graduates. In his speech, Dr. Al Derham said, ''As we celebrate the graduation of our 43rd class, our treasured nation is witnessing a renaissance that would not have been possible without the concerted efforts of the people of this country.”  Dr. Al Derham said, ''Humanity today is suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative effects in all walks of life. At Qatar University, we have begun to deal with this pandemic using a responsive approach. Our goal is to maintain the university’s core functions and roles in teaching, research, and serving the community.” He added that Qatar University had the honour to contribute to this comprehensive renaissance by preparing generations of over 45,000 graduates who have contributed to building the homeland. ''Our University researchers have published more than 200 research studies on understanding coronavirus and ways to combat it. Perhaps the most important study, which made waves in international media, was published by researchers from the Biomedical Research Center in the magazine New England Journal of Medicine on monitoring the mutated strains of coronavirus and the length of effectiveness of the Pfizer Vaccine,” he added. Addressing H H the Amir, Dr. Al Derham said, ''In your recent speech to the Shura Council, you made it clear by saying ‘The State should exert its utmost effort to diversify its income sources through investment in its sovereign fund for future generations, etc. But diversification of income sources also depends on the community, and the economic and service sectors, where the community members work, by resorting to saving, private initiatives, investment, and relocating from consumer mentality to the mindset of the productive community. The way must be cleared for that end.” Dr. Al Derham stressed QU’s efforts to embody this guidance by spreading a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and implementing the university’s strategy through research plans and academic programmes to support the state’s efforts to diversify its sources of income, achieving sustainable development.  The President stressed that the results of the hard work and efforts are reflected in international rankings. The university moved from placing 276 last year to 245th this year, according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking 2021. According to Times Higher Education (THE) the university jumped 90 places and entered the club of the best 350 International Universities. This achievement, he says, would not have been possible without the blessings of Allah (SWT) and the continued support of the state, as well as the efforts of the Board of Regents.  To the graduates, Dr. Al Derham said, ''Today you are at the door of a new phase of your lives, in which you will take your first steps towards your career armed with the knowledge you gained during your academic journey and the skills that will lead you to success and excellence. This achievement was made possible through the grace of Allah (SWT), your perseverance and the sincere efforts of your educators. For this reason, as I stand here, I must pay tribute to their efforts and dedication in fulfilling their duties. ''As you receive your certificates, in front of the leader of this esteemed nation, and under his patronage, you must be faithful to your responsibilities towards God, the nation, and the Amir. And always remember His Highness’s guidance to you when he visited the university and said, ‘Man is the most important building block of our nation and the greatest investment. Qatar invested in you.’ My dear graduates embody these words, through hard work and dedication, in all fields and in every role you are tasked with.” The President noted that the university is represented by its 25,000 students, 1,700 faculty members and offers 96 academic programs.  Graduate Hamad Abdullah Al Jumaili delivered a speech on behalf of the graduates. He praised QU’s efforts in supporting students throughout their university years and creating a distinct educational environment. He also called on the graduates to exert great efforts in their respective fields to serve and build the homeland.MENAFN31052021000063011010ID1102181457