His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani patronised the graduation ceremony of the 49th batch (Class of 2026) of Qatar University, held at the University's Sports and Events Complex last morning. During the ceremony, HH the Amir honoured 180 outstanding graduates across various disciplines, while His Excellency President of Qatar University (QU) Dr Omar bin Mohammed al-Ansari conferred degrees upon 902 graduates. On this occasion, the president of Qatar University delivered a speech, and student Abdullah Khalid al-Kaabi gave an address on behalf of the graduates. His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani attended the ceremony, along with Their Excellencies Sheikhs and ministers, as well as members of QU Board of Trustees, QU Vice Presidents, students' guardians and senior officials. **media[441891]**QU President Omar al-Ansari emphasised that the wise leadership's continued support for QU, and its firm belief in the role of higher education and the capabilities of Qatari youth, is a fundamental pillar in the nation's journey, and enhances the university's position as a leading academic institution that contributes to building the individual and developing society. In his remarks during the graduation ceremony of QU's 49th batch, Class of 2026, he said that QU has served as a beacon of rigorous scholarship. Across generations, students and faculty have contributed to building a strong academic legacy and a community that sees knowledge not as a luxury, but as a necessity, and learning not as a phase, but as a lifelong journey. He pointed out that the graduation day is a culmination of years of dedication and hard work, and the beginning of a new chapter, defined by purpose and impact. He said: "With pride, honour, and gratitude, we celebrate today the graduation of the 49th cohort, welcoming a new group of graduates to the nation's journey of contribution, who will help shape the future of the State of Qatar through their knowledge and capabilities. Today marks a defining moment in the lives of a generation preparing to carry responsibility." "At the same time, QU continues to move forward with confidence in advancing its strategic repositioning initiative - a comprehensive institutional effort to define QU's place within the academic landscape, both locally and globally. This initiative strengthens our institutional identity and reinforces our role as a national institution leading the higher education ecosystem, while contributing to the State's vision of a diversified, knowledge-based economy," he pointed out. The QU president highlighted that this role is not a response to passing global changes but stems from a firmly rooted national vision that affirms the University's place and long-standing contribution to higher education. **media[441889]**Qatar University is a comprehensive institution that places education at the forefront of its priorities, supported by high-quality research aligned with national priorities, driving meaningful, lasting impact on society through close partnerships with institutions across the country, under the guidance of our wise leadership. Addressing the graduates, he said: "You are the result of a journey marked by dedication and sustained effort. What we celebrate today is more than an academic milestone. It is the shaping of minds, the grounding of values, and the growth of capabilities ready to help shape the future. As you step into a fast-changing world that calls for creativity and adaptability, remember that those who know how to think will always find their way. Sincerity in your work, integrity, and a commitment to excellence are the principles that will guide you forward. As you leave your years of study behind, the spirit of the university will stay with you. Move ahead with confidence, work with purpose, and let knowledge light your path, while strong values anchor and protect your journey." Addressing the parents, the QU president said: "You share greatly in this achievement. You have been the constant support and backbone, true partners throughout this journey with all the patience and dedication you have shown. Congratulations on this well-earned moment and may Allah (SWT) bless your efforts." He further said: "I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to my colleagues among the faculty, staff, and all those working at the University for their dedication and continued contributions, which have played a vital role in preparing a generation that is aware, capable, and ready to contribute to the nation's progress. **media[441890]**As QU continues its journey toward further development and renewal, it reaffirms its commitment to remain an active national partner in advancing the aspirations of the State of Qatar." Graduate Abdullah al-Kaabi, from the College of Medicine, delivered the address on behalf of the 49th graduating class, saying: "Today, we stand at Qatar University not to close a chapter, but to open a wide horizon where our contributions can take shape. These years were not simply time spent in study, but a quiet process of inner growth. With every lecture, our horizons expanded; with every discussion, a new question emerged; and with every exam, we came to understand that knowledge is not what we memorize, but what we truly grasp." Addressing his fellow graduates, al-Kaabi said: "We leave Qatar University with a clear conviction: we have not received a 'certificate' as an endpoint, but an 'entrustment' with which we begin shaping the future. We are the nation's most valuable investment. Qatar, a nation that has believed in people as its greatest asset and in knowledge as its path, has not treated education as a phase, but as a national project, embodied in its vision." Hamad Faisal al-Emadi, a graduate of the College of Law, delivered remarks as the master of ceremonies, saying: "Our achievement today is not simply the result of a few years of effort; its roots run deeper, shaped over time. It is part of a legacy that began 49 years ago, when QU was founded as a beacon of knowledge and a guiding light toward a promising and prosperous future."

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will patronize the graduation ceremony of the 49th batch (Class of 2026) of Qatar University (QU) students, held at QU Sports and Events Complex later on Monday.HH Consort of HH the Amir Sheikha Jowaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani will also patronize the graduation ceremony for outstanding female students Tuesday morning.

Iran hit several ships in the Strait of Hormuz Monday and set a ‌UAE oil port ablaze, as President Donald Trump's attempt to use the US Navy to free up shipping provoked the war's biggest escalation since a ceasefire ​was declared four weeks ago.Trump's new mission "Project Freedom", which ‌he announced on social media overnight to release ships stuck in the strait, was the first apparent attempt to make use of naval ‌power to unblock the world's most important ⁠energy shipping route.But at least in the ‌initial hours Monday, the gamble appeared to have backfired, bringing no ‌surge of merchant shipping through the strait while provoking a show of force from Iran, which had long threatened to respond to any escalation with new attacks on its neighbours.The ⁠US military said two US merchant ships had made it through the strait, without saying when. Iran denied any such crossings had taken place.The commander of US forces in the region said his fleet had destroyed six small Iranian boats, which Iran also denied. Admiral Brad Cooper said he "strongly advised" Iranian forces to keep clear of US military assets carrying out the mission.Iranian authorities, for their part, released a map of what they said was an expanded sea area now under their control, which went far beyond the strait to include swathes of international waters, including long stretches of the United Arab Emirates' coastline on either side of the strait.South Korea reported one of its merchant ships had been hit by an explosion and fire inside the strait. The British maritime security agency UKMTO reported two ships had been hit off ​the coast of the UAE, and the Emirati oil company ADNOC said one of its empty oil tankers was hit by Iranian drones while trying to cross."Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship. Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!" Trump posted on social media Monday.After reported drone and missile attacks inside the UAE throughout ⁠the day, including one that caused ​a fire at an important oil port, the UAE said Iranian attacks marked a serious escalation and it reserved the right to respond.Trump has struggled to find a solution to the disruption of international energy supplies caused by Iran's blockade of the strait, which carried a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the war.In the more than two months since Trump launched an air war against Iran alongside Israel, Tehran has largely blocked the strait to ships apart from its own. Since last month, the United States has imposed its own blockade of ships leaving and entering Iranian ports.The warring sides issued contradictory statements Monday about the initial impact of the new US mission, and Reuters could not independently verify the full situation there.But there was no immediate sign that large numbers of merchant ships were making new attempts to cross, and major shipping companies said they were likely to wait for an agreed end to hostilities before trying to sail through.In a post on X, US Central Command said some of its Navy guided-missile destroyers were inside the Gulf supporting the operation, and that two US-flagged merchant vessels had crossed the strait "and are safely headed on their journey".It did not identify either the warships or the ‌merchant vessels or say when any of those crossings had taken ‌place.Iran's Revolutionary Guards said no commercial vessels had crossed the strait ⁠in the past few hours, and that US claims to the contrary were false.Earlier, Iran said it had fired on a US warship approaching the strait, forcing it to turn ⁠around. An initial Iranian report had said a US warship was struck, but Washington ⁠denied this and Iranian officials later described the fire as warning shots.South Korea's Foreign Ministry said there was a fire and an explosion onboard the Namu, a merchant ship operated by South Korean shipper HMM. Yonhap news agency reported that the government was checking intelligence indicating the vessel may have been attacked.The UAE, meanwhile, reported a fire at an oil installation in its port of Fujairah following an Iranian drone attack. Fujairah lies beyond the strait, making it one of the few export routes for Middle East oil that does not require passing through it.Oil prices jumped more than 5% in volatile trade as news of the increased Iranian attacks emerged.In his social media post announcing the ​new mission, Trump gave few details of what action the US Navy would take to get ships through the strait."We have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business," Trump wrote.In response, Iran's unified command told commercial ships and oil tankers:"We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be coordinated with the armed forces ... We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive US Army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz."The United States and Israel suspended their bombing campaign against Iran four weeks ago, and US and Iranian officials held one round of face-to-face talks. But attempts to set up further meetings have failed.Iranian state media said on Sunday that Washington had conveyed its response to a 14-point Iranian proposal via Pakistan, and that Tehran was now reviewing it. Neither side gave details of any ‌US response.The Iranian proposal would postpone discussion ​of Iran's nuclear programme until after an agreement to end the war and resolve the standoff over shipping. Trump said over the weekend he was still studying it but would probably reject it.