College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) yesterday celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2013. This was the 9th annual graduation ceremony of the college.
The graduating class of 289 students joined 165 of their fellow students at the Technician Preparatory Programme, who celebrated the completion of their studies earlier this year. Students from over 30 countries were represented at the graduation ceremony.  
Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority HE Abdulla bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Felix Collins, minister of intergovernmental and aboriginal affairs, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada; Ann Marie Vaughan, president of CNA, Canada; Dr Ken MacLeod, president of CNA-Q, CNA board of governors; and members of the Joint Oversight Board were present on the occasion.
Al-Attiya said: “When CNA-Q opened in 2002 it promised to provide the best technical education in the country. Industry no longer needs to look outside its borders for skilled employees, they simply need to look to CNA-Q graduates. Without skilled employees at every level, companies cannot function. You are the backbone of our thriving country. You are the leaders of tomorrow.”
Collins said: “We deem education as one of our highest priorities, and we are extremely proud of the partnership that has been built with the Qatar government and the campus in Qatar.”
Dr Ken MacLeod said: “We feel it is important that their achievements be recognised not only with their medal of excellence, but with a symbol of their success for all to see tonight.”
Vaughan also addressed the graduates, families and CNA-Q faculty and staff.
Dr MacLeod presided over the ceremony and pronounced the class as official graduates. Some of the graduates who gained the highest academic standing in his or her programme were given President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Two students of the graduating class also spoke about their experiences during the ceremony.