16 May 2018 – 11:03
The Peninsula
Doha: In the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, graduates from Qatar Foundation’s (QF’s) Academic Bridge Program (ABP), under the umbrella of Pre-University Education (PUE), celebrated their graduations at an official ceremony at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC).
A total of 127 ABP-EC graduates, as well as 280 ABP-QAF graduates, celebrated the ABP-EC’s 17th graduation as well as the QAF-ABP inaugural graduation ceremony on Monday.
The combined ABP-EC and ABP-QAF Class of 2018 brings the total number of ABP graduates to over 3,200 since the initiation of the program in 2001. More than 90 percent of the graduating Class of 2018 from both campuses are Qatari.
Many of this year’s graduating class have been accepted to one or more of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU’s) colleges. Some graduates will also enroll at Qatar University or one of the other universities in Qatar. Others have been or will be admitted to universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, or the United States.
After the procession of faculty and students into the theater at the QNCC, the Qatar Armed Forces Band Regiment played the Qatari National Anthem. This was followed by a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by ABP student, Mohammed Yahya Taher.
Dr Bryan Lewallen, Director of the Academic Bridge Program, welcomed the attendees and shared his comments with the Class of 2018. In his speech, Dr Lewallen said, “Our ABP graduates have not only increased their academic knowledge, they have become responsible, confident, young men and women who will someday lead their country and change our world for the better.” This was followed by a few words from the president of the Qatar Armed Forces National Service Academy, Major General Saeed bin Hamad Al Nuaimi, highlighting the accomplishments and success of this year’s Academic Officers Program (ABP-QAF).
The ABP-EC’s Class of 2018 salutatorian, Saleh Al Marri, welcomed and congratulated his peers on their achievements, while recognising and thanking his family as well as the ABP teachers for their constant help and motivation. Afterwards, Mohammed Larri, an ABP student from the Class of 2018 with an outstanding record in community service and events, talked about how extracurricular activities at the ABP this year simultaneously developed his skills and gave him the chance to help others.
The ceremony saw two keynote speakers: alumnus Dr Mohammed Al Hashmi from the ABP’s Class of 2008, and Engineer Sara Al Muhannadi from the ABP’s Class of 2012. Dr Mark Newmark, Assistant Director of the ABP Academic Affairs, and Ms Moza Al Boainin, Assistant Director of Student Services at ABP, recognized students for their achievements, followed by Dr Lewallen presenting the ABP-EC’s graduation certificates. Dr Lewallen, with help from Hamza Duhaini, Assistant Director of Academic Affairs, QAF, also presented the QAF-ABP graduating students with their certificates.
The valedictorians from both campuses, Maryam Al Thani from ABP-EC and Abdulla Kafoud from ABP-QAF, said their farewells and shared some memories of this past year with the attendees, following the awarding of the certificates.
