VCUarts Qatar celebrates Class of 2024 commencement

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) held the Commencement ceremony for its graduating Class of 2024 at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Multaqa Students Centre in Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Education City.

A total of 67 students from VCUarts Qatar’s Art History, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Painting + Printmaking and MFA programmes, graduated from the art and design university this year.

The Class of 2024 graduates, most of whom had joined the university at the pandemic's peak, include 19 Graphic Design students, 19 Interior Design students, eight Painting + Printmaking students, eight Art History students, seven Fashion Design students, and six MFA in design students.

The dignitaries who attended the ceremony included HE Sheikh Abdullah al-Thani, US ambassador Timmy Davis, QF Higher Education president Francisco Marmolejo and Arab Engineering Bureau Group CEO and chief architect Ibrahim Jaidah.

The commencement speaker was Sumayya Vally, founder and principal of Counterspace, an award-winning architecture and research practice in Johannesburg, South Africa. She reminded the graduates of the need not to let go of the ideals they forged during their time at VCUarts Qatar.

“The primary foundation of studying here is an apparent separation from the real world - a space to experiment, explore, develop and imagine. Graduating out of that space can be daunting because it implies that you will be leaving creativity and exploration behind. Yes, it can feel like the stakes may be higher; but let us be reminded that some of the most brave and courageous movements start in this very space.”

VCUarts Qatar dean, Amir Berbić, associate dean for Academic Affairs Dr Cherif Amor, the deans, directors, associate deans and chairs of the university’s many departments and programmes, and faculty and staff, were present to mark the occasion.

Berbić, said: “Despite the exceptional circumstances of a worldwide pandemic, you rose to the occasion with courage and determination. You adapted to remote learning, embraced new technologies, and found creative ways to connect with each other and your professors. Now, here you are, standing at the precipice of a new chapter in your lives, having navigated through exceptional times. Your journey has been marked by strength, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to your craft.”

VCU president Dr Michael Rao, VCU School of the Arts in Richmond dean Dr Carmenita Higginbotham, and VCU Honors College dean Dr Scott Breuninger also attended the meeting.

Dr Rao, said: “Today is the culmination of our year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of VCU’s partnership with the Qatar Foundation. For a quarter century, VCU Qatar has been a worldwide leader in creativity and design, cultivating an impressive generation of creators, designers, artists and scholars. Our Qatar campus, thanks to a culture of innovation inspired by our faculty, has become a place where we are able to experiment with the very best in learning and design.”

This year, VCUarts Qatar recognised Kaltham Essa al-Fakhroo and Selma Fejzullaj, both BFA in Graphic Design, as co-valedictorians. They jointly addressed the gathering, taking turns to share their experiences and emotions.