Students from Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) recently had the opportunity to defend their master’s theses to faculty and staff, ahead of becoming the first graduating class from the research university’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE). 
HBKU is celebrating an academic milestone this year with the graduation of its first batch of master’s degree students from CSE. Among the Class of 2017 are seven graduating with a Master of Science (MSc) in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), seven with an MSc in Sustainable Energy, and three with an MSc in Sustainable Environment.
With the rapid economic development and population growth in Qatar, healthcare and sustainability were identified and highlighted as two of the grand challenges that needed tackling as part of Qatar National Vision 2030. Their importance was further highlighted in the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011–2016, which called for “more sustainable urbanisation and a healthier living environment”. 
BBS and the two sustainability programmes were launched two years ago in response to the growing industry demand for experts in these fields, and were deemed central to the long-term aspirations and needs of Qatar and the region, HBKU said in a statement.
“As a pioneering educational institution, the graduation of the first graduates in biological and biomedical sciences, sustainable energy, and sustainable environment marks a significant milestone for HBKU,” said Dr Mounir Hamdi, founding dean of HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering. 
HBKU’s BBS master’s programme has exposed the newly graduating students to state-of-the-art basic, clinical, and translational life sciences research. Students are trained to be the next generation of experts in their field with a full spectrum of knowledge across a range of interrelated subject areas and are given the highly specialised training needed to ensure they are capable of translating research findings into clinical benefits.
Similarly, the Sustainable Energy and Sustainable Environment programmes address important issues facing the region in energy and environment. Moving towards a sustainable society presents a series of interdependent, multidisciplinary and conflicting challenges for all professions, especially engineers, scientists, teachers, businessmen and policy-makers. 
As with the BBS programme, the multidisciplinary aspect is again present in HBKU’s Sustainable Energy and Sustainable Environment programmes, as both incorporate study across a broad range of environmental sciences, social sciences, engineering and technology in their curriculum alongside exceptional 
opportunity for research.