HBKU hosts Education City’s 1st PhD thesis defence session

DOHA: A new milestone in the two decades of Qatar Foundation (QF) for Education, Science and Community Development history was achieved when Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Science and Engineering (CSE) hosted Education City’s first-ever PhD thesis defence session.

The momentous event comes ahead of HBKU’s schedule to graduate its inaugural cohort of PhD students and underscores the importance of the University’s role in driving academic excellence in Qatar.

HBKU’s hosting of its first PhD defence reinforces the University’s significance as a leading educational hub. Dr Mounir Hamdi, dean of CSE, said, “I am truly honoured to see CSE lead such an important mile-stone in the lifetime of HBKU and Education City by graduating our first PhD students.

Our college has a critical role in supporting the scientific development goals of Qatar and the region, and our multidisciplinary academic programs are based on three research-focused divisions in the fields of science, engineering, and technology – all core areas for national advancement.”

Ahmad K Fard, who is presently completing final assignments towards his PhD in Sustainable Environment, led the event by defending his thesis entitled: “Novel Hybrid Absorbent – Inorganic Membrane for Qatar Treatment Applications”.

Describing the three years leading to what has become both a historic moment for him personally as well as the University and the Education City community, he said, “My sense of pride extends beyond HBKU and Education City to encompass a hope for a better tomorrow in Qatar in general and Qatar Foundation in particular.”

“This milestone clearly shows that we are going in the right track toward accomplishing the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser for a knowledge-based economy. It gives me great honour to be the first PhD graduate from a university that bears the name of His Highness the Father Emir. This has special value when I think of my responsibilities toward Qatar’s future and its sustainable development,” Fard added.

The presentation was attended by several members of the advising committee, including experts and advisors, who were tasked with reading the dissertation, making constructive suggestions, and sitting in on the defence.