Ibrahim al-Hashmi (left) and Florent D’Souza
Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) announced yesterday that 45 students had earned places on the Dean’s List in recognition of their academic excellence during the fall term last year.
In order to receive the academic distinction, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.75.
NU-Q dean Everette E Dennis said these students would be the future leaders of the media industry in Qatar, throughout the Middle East and around the globe. 
Ibrahim al-Hashmi, a freshman in the communication programme, who received the honour for the first time, recalled the challenges he faced in his first semester and did not expect to earn this honour. 
“At the same time, it makes me aware that it’s only the beginning and I have to work even harder to keep it,” he said.
In his four years, Florent D’Souza, a senior in the communication programme, has learned how to succeed while balancing multiple responsibilities.
“Keeping focus and juggling so many projects while simultaneously staying on top of your academics can be difficult.”
While working as the web editor and team leader for MyEducationCity.com this fall, D’Souza also served as a Learner’s Voice delegate at World Innovation Summit for Education and directed outreach for a TEDxEducationCity event that drew 350 young people. 
Currently, D’Souza is a digital producer for The Doha Debates and a co-curator for an upcoming TEDxEducationCity event in April.
“One of the most important lessons for me over these past four years at Northwestern has been learning to manage my time, energy and efforts to strike a balance between my academics and my extracurricular activities,” added D’Souza.
Senior Communication students given the honour: Fatema al-Hadad, Florent D’Souza, Melanie Fridgant and Zaina Salameh.
Junior Communication students: Saja al-Meer, Tasbih Amin, Dana Atrach, Shahd Dauleh, Alreem Kafoud, Motasem Kalaji, Meriem Mesraoua and Rasha Said.
Sophomore Communication students: Nawal Alirani, Muna Barakat and Hazar Eskandar. Freshman Communication students: Ibrahim al-Hashmi, Najwa al-Thani and Nissryne Dib.
Senior Journalism students: Laala al-Jaber, Mai al-Mannai, Camila Ferreira, Zainab Sultan and Nazneen Zahan. Junior Journalism students: Sidra Ayub, Benazir Karim, Caitlin Sewell and Elysia Windrum.
Sophomore Journalism students: Zineb Abdessadok, Asma Ajroudi, Zena al-Tahhan, Tessniem Alhafidh, Saif-U-Din Alnuweiri, Yara Darwish, Sara Khodr and Jassim Kunji.
Freshman Journalism students: Aamena Ahmed, Maha al-Ansari, Abir Bouguerra, Gena El Aker, Jaimee Haddad, Haneen Hindi, Angel Polacco, Marium Saeed and Reem Zubaidi.