Qatar University (QU) celebrated the male student graduation for the Class of 2017 on Tuesday at a special ceremony in the presence of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani who was the guest of honour at the event.
The ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre was QU's 40th and the largest batch of students to graduate from the university, with 775 male students graduating in different subjects from various colleges of the university.
The women's graduation ceremony will take place on Wednesday.
HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, several ministers, QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham, a large number of distinguished guests, members of QU leadership, deans, parents and students took part in the event.
Among the graduates, 79 highest-achieving students of GPA 3.50 and higher were honoured by His Highness the Emir and the graduates received their certificates from the university president. This year's highest scorer with GPA 4.00 was computer engineering student Naram Sultan Mhaisen.
His Highness the Emir also posed for a group photo with the graduates.
Excited and joyous parents, relatives and friends cheered the graduates as they received their certificates and greeted them with flowers and garlands after the ceremony.
Dr al-Derham highlighted the achievements of the university as well as its role in empowering the young generation in meeting various challenges such as the present one which he described as " the unfair and illegal blockade imposed on Qatar." 
“As we celebrate the graduation of this distinguished batch of students, our country is witnessing an obvious challenge -"the unfair and illegal blockade imposed on Qatar". Qatar’s reaction to the blockade revealed the country’s wise governance that comes from its "deep and strategic national vision", under the leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani,” noted al-Derham. 
“Qatar University is committed to play an effective role during this phase and assumed over the past period a part of its national duty and responsibility. The university accommodated the Qatari students who were expelled from their universities at the blockading countries, and did not take any action against the students from the siege countries. They were able to continue their education as normal,” he explained.
“The university also contributed to facing the blockade and its effects by providing in collaboration with many local institutions effective studies that addressed the illegal blockade imposed on Qatar, and throughout many seminars, workshops and panel discussions that engaged academics and experts from all over the world. Additionally, the university provided its students with cultural opportunities to increase their awareness on the blockade and its impact from a legal, political, economic and social perspective,” continued the official.
Dr al-Derham also pointed out that Qatar University’s Strategic Plan 2018-2022 has identified six goals. 
“They are the development and the empowerment of the transition process within the higher education system in Qatar; to be recognised as a provider of student-centred, practical, research-based, competency-based and technology-based learning in support of entrepreneurship; the preparation of graduates with an integrated personality and with the values that would maximise their impact and effective role; to excel in relevant and measurable research that provides solutions and drives forward knowledge and innovation; to be recognised as a sustainable institution and a reference of excellence in line with the highest standards of professionalism and discipline; and to create effective partnerships with local and international stakeholders to enrich education, promote research, and stimulate socio-economic development,” he added.
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