HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani attended the graduation ceremony of the first batch of students from AFG College with University of Aberdeen at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, yesterday.
A number of their excellencies Sheikhs, ministers, academics, faculty members, parents of graduates, and guests attended the graduation ceremony. Among those present were HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi and British ambassador Ajay Sharma.
At a glittering ceremony, the graduates arrived in a procession to the tunes of a bagpipe, in true Scottish tradition, followed by the faculty. As the events of the ceremony unfolded, Sheikha Dr Aisha bint Faleh al-Thani, founder and chairperson of AFG College with the University of Aberdeen, was bestowed with a Doctor of Laws degree by Prof George Boyne, principal and vice-chancellor of Aberdeen University, for her services to education, philanthropy and business.
The graduates were also presented their degrees by Prof Boyne. The graduates are from various disciplines such as Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in International Business Management, Postgraduate Diploma in International Business Management and Undergraduate degree in Business Management.
Addressing the gathering, Sheikha Dr Aisha said: “My deepest gratitude goes to the University of Aberdeen for conferring on me such a high award. It is a great privilege to receive this honorary doctorate from a university that plays a big part in developing the potential and talents of tens of thousands of students who come from different parts of the world.” Exhorting the graduates, the chairperson said: “Graduates, today you stand at the doorsteps of exciting days that will see you fulfil what the University of Aberdeen prepared you for, namely to lead and be advocates for change. You possess the needed vision, energy, enthusiasm and most importantly, the capability to transform not just your country but also the whole world. I urge you to explore and push the limits of your creativity to come up with ways that can contribute to the development of your community and humanity.”
She reminded the graduates that the learning process does not end with the graduation and to use every opportunity to learn, give, share and discover strengths to overcome challenges. Sheikha Dr Aisha also made use of the opportunity to thank  two special women in her life – her mother and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, for inspiring her to try hard and work for humanity. Prof Boyne, in his message, said it was a special day for the university as the first batch of students from Qatar received their degrees through the partnership with Al Faleh Group.
“This partnership underlies the University of Aberdeen’s commitment to extend our international reach and the diversity of our student body. Throughout your time studying with us, I hope you have experienced a learning environment, which nurtures intellectual curiosity where all members of our academic community have developed and grown,” he added.
The student speaker, Jassim bin Mohamed al-Misned, highlighted the college days, the time they spent creatively and all the learning and fun they enjoyed during their time at the university.
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