Qatar Leadership Academy (QLA) has held a virtual ceremony to honour the accomplishments of its 20 graduates, bringing together students, parents, and teachers, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Defence and Qatar Foundation.

Mohamed Abdulla Mahmoud, this year’s Academic Excellence Award recipient and Valedictorian, said: “Many thanks to my teachers, who were excellent role models for values, ethics, and morals, they continuously helped and supported me. I want to thank the school administration for creating this supportive and inspiring environment, which makes me proud on the day of my graduation.”

For the first time, QLA also announced three Leadership Excellence Awards, instead of one earlier.

They were presented to Falah Ali al-Badi, Nasser Saheem al-Sheraim, and Saoud Abdulaziz Alzeyara.

Al-Badi, who won first place, said: “I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the staff at Qatar Leadership Academy for the efforts in educating and preparing us for our future.

“We benefitted immensely from the academy’s programmes and activities. Qatar Leadership Academy has always been and will remain an outstanding place for teaching and learning. Thank you to all the staff, including administrators, teachers, and supervisors.”

Speaking to the students, QLA director Jameel al-Shammari, said: “Over the years, we have worked to equip you with the tools, skills, and knowledge to succeed. You are ambassadors of your country. And now it is time for you to harvest the fruits of your success, and for us to commemorate your incredible accomplishments.”

Al-Shammari spoke to the parents of the graduates, saying: “Congratulations to you and your sons. You are worthy of this honour. You protected them, and strengthened their resolve. Blessed be their successes to your families, and congratulations to your nation.”

The virtual ceremony also featured a video with highlights of the students, including programmes they’d participated in, their studies, and boarding school life.

QLA is part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education.

It’s Class of 2020 includes 15 Qataris, two Kuwaitis, one Omani, one Yemeni, and one American, with three graduates gaining acceptance to international universities.