A total of 127 students from the Academic Bridge Programme (ABP) of Qatar Foundation (QF) and 286 cadets from the Qatar Armed Forces Academic Bridge Programme (QAF-ABP) graduated yesterday as they received their diplomas during a colourful ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre. 
HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, QF Pre University Education president Buthaina A al-Nuaimi, and National Service Academy president Major General Saeed Hamad al-Nuaimi attended the graduation ceremony.
“Our graduates have not only enriched themselves with  academic knowledge but also become more responsible and confident. They are the young men and women who will lead the country and  change the world for the better. You need to stay focused, work hard and always believe in yourselves,” advised Dr Bryan K Lewallen, director of the ABP in his address to the graduates.
“This is the 17th graduation ceremony of ABP Qatar Foundation at the Education City and the first graduation ceremony of the Qatar Armed Forces cadets. ABP Class of 2018 consists of 127 students as they join 2,839 others who have graduated from ABP so far, taking the total number of graduates to 2,966 since the ABP started the programmes in 2001,” explained Dr Lewallen.
“As of today these students of ABP Class of 2018 have received a total of 82 offers of admission to at least one Education City university. They have also received over 30 offers from other universities in Qatar, the UK and the US,” continued the ABP director. 
According to the official, two years ago, Qatar Foundation, The Ministry of Defence and the Qatar Armed Forces began plans for the creation of an academic bridge programme for the armed forces cadets.
“It was envisaged that the programme would provide the same level of academic quality to the students as in any other academic bridge programme. In October 2017, the Qatar Armed Forces Academic Bridge Programme opened its doors,” recalled Dr Lewallen.
“Today we are proud to receive 286 cadets to the family of ABP graduates. These cadets will complete the military training in July and enter university programmes. After the completion of the university, they will return to the armed force as officers in Qatar Armed Forces to serve the country,” he highlighted. Several members of the graduates gave reflections about their programmes at ABP, life at the college as well as how the programmes changed their lives for better.
QAF-ABP assistant director Hamza Duhaini encouraged the graduates with his words of wisdom and highlighted that difficulties in life must be met with resolve and determination. Saleh Mohamed al-Marri from ABP narrated his experience of the programme and highlighted how the whole programme made him confident.


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