UDST graduates 781 students from Class of 2023

Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) held a one-of-a-kind graduation ceremony for 781 students Tuesday.
The ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre was attended by dignitaries including HE the Shura Council Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim, Qatar Museums Chairperson HE Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani as a guest speaker; HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi, UDST Board of Trustees’ chairman HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and the board members; UDST president Dr Salem Al-Naemi, staff and faculty, and graduates’ families.
The UDST’s second graduation ceremony witnessed a 68% increase in the graduates’ number compared to last year.
The number of graduates in each discipline is: 222 from Business Management, 78 from Computing and Information Technology, 267 from Engineering Technology and 214 from Health Sciences.
The UDST offers 64 programmes, each tailored to the needs of Qatar’s economy.
The ceremony started with the parchment distribution and a congratulatory message from Dr Al-Naemi, who expressed his pride in the graduates and their commitment to learning and perseverance.
He shed light on the strategies adopted by the UDST to equip its students with future-proof skills.
“Under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and thanks to the support that the education sector has received from the government led by HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, and with the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education led by HE Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi, the UDST was able to thrive and achieve its national mission,” he said.
"The UDST’s educational approach is in line with the national strategies and plans, and takes into consideration the needs of the fourth industrial revolution, particularly the surge of artificial intelligence (AI),” Dr Al-Naemi continued. “Our purpose is to develop skilled professionals that are needed across different sectors and who can easily lead in the market and become an integral part of delivering Qatar National Vision 2030.”
“The university has developed a network of partners with leading private and public entities which led to the launch of many important projects and advisory committees that bring unique knowledge and skills to the university,” he said.
“The committees embody experts that keep us aligned with the ever-changing market conditions and as a result, the UDST has launched eight new programmes that are unique in their intent and scope,” Dr Al-Naemi added. “They cover the fields of marine engineering, smart manufacturing, software engineering, neonatal intensive care, midwifery, sustainable tourism, TVET (technical and vocational education and training), and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.”
He concluded his speech with words of advice to the graduates: “Opportunities come and go, but self-development is key to your success, never stop learning so you can always stay relevant when new doors open.”
“Always remember that machines are not human beings, technology will keep on developing and it is up to us to make the right use of it,” he said. “My last piece of advice may seem very easy when you hear it but it is actually not. Be true to yourself, feel free to express your ideas in an objective manner, and be open to differences in people and situations because diversity and inclusion are key to success in societies.”
In her speech to the graduates, HE Sheikha Al-Mayassa said: “As graduates of the University of Doha for Science and Technology, you are qualified for innovation and creativity. As you are aware, the development of the technology sector is accelerating rapidly, and it requires continuous research and innovation, to transform Qatar's efforts from a technology-consuming to a producing and exporting country.”
“Brothers and sisters, honesty and sincerity, simplicity and humility, empathy and service to others are the rules for success in personal and professional relationships,” she said. “They are Islamic values that we cherish.”
“Therefore, our cultural investment in museums and creative centres and the empowerment of our youth in creative sectors such as the film industry, design, technology, and fashion ... all of this protects our identity, develops our reality, and allows us to participate in the global dialogue with our voices,” HE Sheikha Al-Mayassa concluded.
The Class of 2023 valedictorian, Abdullah Ahmadi, holder of the President’s Award for Academic Excellence, expressed his happiness to be representing all his fellow graduates during the ceremony.
“The UDST was the university of choice for us. This is where we learnt in an applied environment and we acquired knowledge and skills that prepare us to lead the future,” he said. “This campus offered us the support we needed to learn and grow, to shape our personality and be able to develop on a personal level.”
“Our graduation is only the beginning, the learning never stops and it is now our time to shine with the spirit of the UDST and give back to the community and our beloved country Qatar,” Ahmadi added.
During the ceremony, 14 holders of the “Graduation Class Honour Society Award” were honoured by HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education.
The audience also embarked on a journey with the graduating students through a video retracing their steps to complete a successful education and highlighting their hopes and dreams for the future.
The celebration was marked by a special appearance of a robot that interacted with UDST president Dr Al-Naemi, demonstrating the university’s advanced capabilities and its ability to “walk the talk”.
The UDST has graduated more than 7,400 students to date and hosts more than 7,000 students who represent more than 70 nationalities, across its five colleges.