HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani with Stenden University Qatar students and officials.
Stenden University Qatar has announced at its graduation ceremony that it will send 40 Qatar students to study on the Netherlands main campus for a year in September.
The ceremony saw degrees being conferred on more than 40 students of International Business and Management Studies, International Hospitality Management Studies and International Tourism Management by patron HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani.
Laas-Wybo van der Hoek, vice-president of the Executive Board of Stenden Netherlands, announced the exchange at the graduation ceremony, saying: “In September, we are sending 40 students from Stenden Qatar to study on our Netherlands campus for a year. This is in line with our philosophy to prepare our students for a future in a world that keeps changing and a career in an international industry that embraces different cultures and nationalities.
“We are also proud to announce that Stenden Netherlands passed the strictest quality audit of the Ministry of Education in the Netherlands, ensuring that the quality of our degree programmes meets the highest educational standards.”
In his address to the students, Professor Robert Coelen, executive dean of Stenden University Qatar, said: “Congratulations to you all on your graduation today – the culmination of eight semesters of study, hard work and teamwork with your colleagues, while honing your skills and developing as a person to achieve this major milestone, a Stenden Bachelor degree.
“Stenden has developed close ties with Qatar Tourism Authority, offering our expertise and applied research to help steer Qatar to great success. In association with UNWTO, we are planning new events that will put the spotlight on Qatar’s achievements while keeping pace with the latest developments in travel and tourism around the world.”
Graduates, family members, friends and the university community came together at the graduation ceremony to congratulate the Class of 2014 students on their success.
As the patron of Stenden University Qatar, HE Sheikh Faisal opened the ceremony and addressed the graduating students directly. He said, “Your successful graduation today is a remarkable achievement. As you start your new journey, we hope that with what you have learnt, you will be able to play an important role in the industry in the future.
“Success in life cannot happen without knowledge and faith – faith in God and faith and belief in progress and prosperity. From my own, long experience, the formula for success is simple: have the conviction that knowledge can make change happen. Have patience and endurance, seize opportunities and use your knowledge and experience to make things materialise.”
