UCL Qatar, a partner university of Qatar Foundation (QF), hosted its final graduation ceremony yesterday, graduating 108 students in doctoral programmes and master degrees in Library and Information Studies, and Museum and Gallery Practice.
The virtual ceremony was held alongside the university’s closing event.
This event celebrated UCL Qatar’s achievements over the last 10 years, marking the completion of its agreement with the QF.
The last cohort of graduates joined the online ceremony from 12 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Gulf.
In all, 29 different nationalities were represented, of which eight were Qatari nationals, and 70% women.
Over 80% of graduates have already secured employment in leading local and global organisations, including the Qatar National Library, Qatar Museums, and the National Museum of Australia.
UCL Qatar director Dr Sam Evans addressed attendees, saying: “As we bring to a close UCL Qatar’s operations, your achievements and those of our 331 former students will continue to have huge impact in Qatar and in whichever place your life and career take you.”
UCL alumni and senior UCL Qatar faculty members joined the event.
Asmaa al-Maadheed, a Qatari language teacher and library and information professional who attained an MA in Library and Information Studies this year, was the graduate speaker.
UCL Qatar was established in 2010 as a partnership between University College London and the QF to develop and operate a centre for the study of cultural heritage and knowledge management.
More than 300 masters and doctoral students have graduated from UCL Qatar since the launch of its postgraduate and doctoral academic programmes in Conservation, Museums and Gallery Practice, Archaeology of the Arab and Islamic World, Academic Research and Methods, and Library and Information Studies.
UCL Qatar also worked closely with Qatar Museums (QM) and the QF on a variety of research and community projects.
QM chief executive Ahmad Musa al-Namla said: “Over the past decade, we have enjoyed a remarkable relationship with UCL Qatar that has seen us collaborate on numerous projects.”