The best and brightest graduating students from College of the North Atlantic—Qatar (CNA-Q) were honoured at the Oryx GTL President’s Medal for Academic Excellence gala at the Ritz-Carlton, recently.
Medals were presented to 29 students who received the highest marks in their individual programmes of all graduating students.
Of those honoured, 15 achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
CNA-Q president Dr Ken MacLeod said: “These students can be justifiably proud of their achievements. They have worked hard, and are now ready to move forward in the next stage of their lives with confidence, whether it be further education or into the workforce.”
In addition to the president’s medals, Oryx GTL presented four Distinguished Graduate Awards to one student from each of the College’s academic schools – Business Studies, Engineering Technology, Health Sciences and Information Technology.
The students were nominated by their dean for achieving exemplary academic standing and commitment to campus life, extracurricular activities and volunteerism.
The President’s Medal for Academic Excellence has been awarded since the College’s inception, however it became a gala event four years ago when Oryx GTL became the official sponsor.
The sponsorship forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme, which aims to promote and celebrate excellence in education.
Corporate partnerships have been a mainstay at CNA-Q since 2002, with more than 60% of students sponsored by local industry partners and Ministries.
Guest speaker for the event, Ali al-Mohannadi, chief engineering and projects officer at Oryx GTL, shared words of wisdom with the students.
“It is your responsibility to contribute to society by reinvesting the extraordinary skills and talents which we are here to celebrate today. Not only will this make a positive contribution to your workplace, but it will strengthen the unity and success of the wider community. Oryx GTL is honoured to be associated with this initiative, and we hope to leave a real and lasting academic and intellectual legacy for future generations — in keeping with the vision and goals of our country’s wise leaders,” he said.
The President’s Medal recipients and distinguished graduates will join 400 of their fellow students today for the 13th CNA-Q graduation ceremony at Qatar National Convention Centre.