May
Across QF, the latest wave of graduates from a globally unique ecosystem of education were celebrated – while alumni of this ecosystem were reunited, and vital new partnerships in knowledge were forged.
Progressive Education
Embodiments of a BeliefHaving been immersed and empowered within an educational environment like no other, they are now ready to leave their imprint on the world.
They are the graduates of universities at Qatar Foundation (QF) – and in May, the latest wave of young change-makers to emerge from this ecosystem of learning and growth celebrated, and were celebrated, together at QF Convocation.
The annual ceremony, attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, reflects how QF students, while they study at different universities, are part of one community of knowledge. And in a time-honored Convocation tradition, each graduate stepped through the Door to the Future – a symbolic moment, representing one stage of their journey through life ending, and another beginning.
During the ceremony, Her Highness Sheikha Moza honored 16 graduates with QF Excellence Awards in recognition of their academic success and their leadership, innovation, and creative qualities.
And addressing the Class of 2024, Convocation keynote speaker Ahmad Marafi, a Kuwaiti entrepreneur, told them: “Today, it is your turn to create your own success story, and to make your mark on the future – a future that will not be drawn by anyone but you.”
Having been immersed and empowered within an educational environment like no other, they are now ready to leave their imprint on the world.
They are the graduates of universities at Qatar Foundation (QF) – and in May, the latest wave of young change-makers to emerge from this ecosystem of learning and growth celebrated, and were celebrated, together at QF Convocation.
The annual ceremony, attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, reflects how QF students, while they study at different universities, are part of one community of knowledge. And in a time-honored Convocation tradition, each graduate stepped through the Door to the Future – a symbolic moment, representing one stage of their journey through life ending, and another beginning.
During the ceremony, Her Highness Sheikha Moza honored 16 graduates with QF Excellence Awards in recognition of their academic success and their leadership, innovation, and creative qualities.
And addressing the Class of 2024, Convocation keynote speaker Ahmad Marafi, a Kuwaiti entrepreneur, told them: “Today, it is your turn to create your own success story, and to make your mark on the future – a future that will not be drawn by anyone but you.”
As our graduating class embarks on the next chapter of their journey, we truly believe that they will become shapers of a better world and a brighter tomorrow.
- QF’s Class of 2024 comprised 946 graduates of 77 nationalities, with 38 per cent of graduates being Qatari, and 63 per cent of graduates being women
- Over 9,900 students have graduated from universities at QF
- In the 2023/24 academic year, 119 nationalities were represented among QF’s university student body
Progressive Education
Equipped to ExcelAmong the members of the Class of 2024 was Nayef Alyafei – a graduate of two QF partner universities, one of which he later became a faculty member at, and who has also taught at a QF school.
It meant that, in 2024, he graduated alongside students he had previously taught, and he said: “I want to contribute to Qatar’s growth, and education is a key pillar that improves our society and makes it sustainable.”
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) computer science graduate Abdelrahman Abdelnaby explained that his experience at QF has taught him “that nothing is too hard to do, that there is a hidden art for everything, and that the hidden art can be learnt”; while Maryam Ali Al-Quradaghi, a Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) graduate, said: “The lessons I have learned and the values I have imbibed – such as compassion, advocacy, and striving for excellence- are treasures I will carry forward into my career as a doctor.”
And alongside Convocation, QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and partner universities – CMU-Q, Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), HEC Paris in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), and WCM-Q – each celebrated their graduates, as did the Academic Bridge Program, part of QF’s Pre-University Education.
Among the members of the Class of 2024 was Nayef Alyafei – a graduate of two QF partner universities, one of which he later became a faculty member at, and who has also taught at a QF school.
It meant that, in 2024, he graduated alongside students he had previously taught, and he said: “I want to contribute to Qatar’s growth, and education is a key pillar that improves our society and makes it sustainable.”
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) computer science graduate Abdelrahman Abdelnaby explained that his experience at QF has taught him “that nothing is too hard to do, that there is a hidden art for everything, and that the hidden art can be learnt”; while Maryam Ali Al-Quradaghi, a Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) graduate, said: “The lessons I have learned and the values I have imbibed – such as compassion, advocacy, and striving for excellence- are treasures I will carry forward into my career as a doctor.”
And alongside Convocation, QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and partner universities – CMU-Q, Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), HEC Paris in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), and WCM-Q – each celebrated their graduates, as did the Academic Bridge Program, part of QF’s Pre-University Education.
QF challenges you to step out of your comfort zone. While it can be challenging, it fosters the environment that allows you to embrace where you go.
Progressive Education
Many Dreams, One CommunityAs hundreds of alumni of QF’s educational ecosystem were reunited at Education City for an event that reflects how they will always be part of QF’s community and story, a new award celebrating graduates who drive positive change in their communities was unveiled.
QF’s Annual Alumni Forum – attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation – saw past students of its schools, partner universities, and HBKU reconnect, share their stories, build networks of knowledge and mutual support, and air their views on topics relevant to their careers with national stakeholders.
Held around the theme of social responsibility and moral commitment, and the interconnection between civic duty and Islamic values, the forum also saw the launch of the QF Alumni Award. Its criteria will be linked to each year’s forum theme, and in 2024-25 it will honor QF alumni who have demonstrated a dedication to social responsibility and civic engagement.
Speaking about QF’s alumni, Her Highness Sheikha Moza said: “I am proud of them, their achievements, and all that they do to strengthen their ties with the Foundation. Our future is brighter with them.”
As hundreds of alumni of QF’s educational ecosystem were reunited at Education City for an event that reflects how they will always be part of QF’s community and story, a new award celebrating graduates who drive positive change in their communities was unveiled.
QF’s Annual Alumni Forum – attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation – saw past students of its schools, partner universities, and HBKU reconnect, share their stories, build networks of knowledge and mutual support, and air their views on topics relevant to their careers with national stakeholders.
Held around the theme of social responsibility and moral commitment, and the interconnection between civic duty and Islamic values, the forum also saw the launch of the QF Alumni Award. Its criteria will be linked to each year’s forum theme, and in 2024-25 it will honor QF alumni who have demonstrated a dedication to social responsibility and civic engagement.
Speaking about QF’s alumni, Her Highness Sheikha Moza said: “I am proud of them, their achievements, and all that they do to strengthen their ties with the Foundation. Our future is brighter with them.”
The key to academic and professional excellence lies in investing in areas that you are skilled in and that bring tangible social impact.
Sustainability
A Social ResponsibilityWith a shared vision for a sustainable future, QF and one of Qatar’s leading companies joined forces in April to harness each other’s expertise in order to meet environmental, social, and governance goals.
Announced on the sidelines of Qatar Economic Forum 2024, the three-year partnership will combine the efforts of QF and Ooredoo Qatar in the areas of education, health, and community, and leverage global platforms and networks to enhance the exposure and effectiveness of their joint initiatives.
QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future will also support and guide Ooredoo Qatar’s sustainability initiatives through thought-leadership, expertise, and access to global sustainability networks, to help the company meet its environment and social objectives.
“We believe in the influential role the private sector can play in setting a precedent through its actions – by driving direct, tangible, and positive change for the benefit of our societies – and we will always welcome opportunities to partner with private organizations so that our respective ecosystems of knowledge and resources can be combined and magnified to collectively make an impact on people’s lives,” said Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna.
With a shared vision for a sustainable future, QF and one of Qatar’s leading companies joined forces in April to harness each other’s expertise in order to meet environmental, social, and governance goals.
Announced on the sidelines of Qatar Economic Forum 2024, the three-year partnership will combine the efforts of QF and Ooredoo Qatar in the areas of education, health, and community, and leverage global platforms and networks to enhance the exposure and effectiveness of their joint initiatives.
QF’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future will also support and guide Ooredoo Qatar’s sustainability initiatives through thought-leadership, expertise, and access to global sustainability networks, to help the company meet its environment and social objectives.
“We believe in the influential role the private sector can play in setting a precedent through its actions – by driving direct, tangible, and positive change for the benefit of our societies – and we will always welcome opportunities to partner with private organizations so that our respective ecosystems of knowledge and resources can be combined and magnified to collectively make an impact on people’s lives,” said Dr. Gonzalo Castro de la Mata, Executive Director of Earthna.
Our partnership with Qatar Foundation is a pivotal step toward integrating sustainable practices into our core business strategies and contributing positively to Qatar National Vision 2030.
Progressive Education
Global Themes, Local KnowledgeAnd on the partnership front, May also saw a QF initiative that localizes educational curricula to give students a grounding in local knowledge take a stride forward - through a new strategic collaboration concentrated on a growing challenge for both Qatar, and the world.
By working with Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency, the Rasekh initiative will benefit from interactive digital resources for curricula focused on cybersecurity in the context of Qatar – supporting students, researchers, and parents across the nation in understanding this pivotal field.
The aim of the collaboration is to raise students’ awareness about the importance of protecting data and digital systems, blending technical learning with developing the ability of students to think critically and analyze strategically, and equipping them with capabilities that the labor market increasingly needs.
Launched in 2022 through a partnership between QF and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Rasekh enhances connections between learners and researchers, and their local environment, supporting schools at QF and across Qatar to offer ‘glocalized’ curricula where global themes are linked with local knowledge, innovation, values, heritage, and culture.
And on the partnership front, May also saw a QF initiative that localizes educational curricula to give students a grounding in local knowledge take a stride forward - through a new strategic collaboration concentrated on a growing challenge for both Qatar, and the world.
By working with Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency, the Rasekh initiative will benefit from interactive digital resources for curricula focused on cybersecurity in the context of Qatar – supporting students, researchers, and parents across the nation in understanding this pivotal field.
The aim of the collaboration is to raise students’ awareness about the importance of protecting data and digital systems, blending technical learning with developing the ability of students to think critically and analyze strategically, and equipping them with capabilities that the labor market increasingly needs.
Launched in 2022 through a partnership between QF and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Rasekh enhances connections between learners and researchers, and their local environment, supporting schools at QF and across Qatar to offer ‘glocalized’ curricula where global themes are linked with local knowledge, innovation, values, heritage, and culture.
We believe this collaboration will help prepare a conscious generation capable of facing future challenges and actively participating in building a safe and sustainable society.
Rasekh is focused on connecting global themes to five locally contextualized pillars:
- Arabic language
- Culture and heritage
- Local innovation
- Local knowledge
- Local values
Progressive Education, Artificial Intelligence
Nurturing Tomorrow’s LeadersMaximizing the possibilities of quantum computing requires a workforce ready for the next generation – and the process of building this workforce in Qatar was boosted in May as a new partnership between HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE) and global quantum technologies leader Q-CTRL was announced.
Through this link-up, the education and research program at CSE’s new Qatar Center for Quantum Computing (QC2) will utilize Q-CTRL’s pioneering software to help train and equip students with quantum skills.
Future drivers of change were also cultivated through CMU-Q’s first professional development leadership program, which included participants from across the QF ecosystem. CMULead develops skills such as emotional intelligence, intercultural communication, and building positive teams.
And fostering leadership in healthcare is the focus of a new program launched by GU-Q and QF’s Sidra Medicine in May, which will hone the abilities of key personnel at the women’s and children’s hospital to improve both its effectiveness and outcomes for its patients.
Maximizing the possibilities of quantum computing requires a workforce ready for the next generation – and the process of building this workforce in Qatar was boosted in May as a new partnership between HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE) and global quantum technologies leader Q-CTRL was announced.
Through this link-up, the education and research program at CSE’s new Qatar Center for Quantum Computing (QC2) will utilize Q-CTRL’s pioneering software to help train and equip students with quantum skills.
Future drivers of change were also cultivated through CMU-Q’s first professional development leadership program, which included participants from across the QF ecosystem. CMULead develops skills such as emotional intelligence, intercultural communication, and building positive teams.
And fostering leadership in healthcare is the focus of a new program launched by GU-Q and QF’s Sidra Medicine in May, which will hone the abilities of key personnel at the women’s and children’s hospital to improve both its effectiveness and outcomes for its patients.
We are committed to working with Q-CTRL to develop future generations of the quantum workforce and equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in this innovative landscape.
Precision Health
A Healthcare FirstHealthcare efforts at QF in May also saw Sidra Medicine announce the establishment of Qatar’s first-ever pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant program, partnering with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) – one of the world’s best in the field of pediatrics.
Supported by CHOP’s expertise and educational capacity, the program is focused on treating patients with various blood diseases and cancers, with its announcement coming in the same month as international authorities on primary immune regulatory disorders – which affect the body’s ability to fight immune responses – gathered at Sidra Medicine for an inaugural conference on this topic.
HBKU’s Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University commenced an in-depth study of genetic factors involved in autism; while a WCM-Q research team published landmark findings how proteins can fight a wide range of diseases, and one of the university’s researchers received a prestigious international fellowship recognizing his contribution to Artificial Intelligence studies.
Meanwhile, WCM-Q’s LifeHub pavilion – which, throughout Expo 2023 Doha, showcased the potential of a future where innovation, research and development, and Artificial Intelligence, drive better health and greater sustainability – was named the most innovative corporate social responsibility initiative of 2024 at the Qatar CSR Summit.
Healthcare efforts at QF in May also saw Sidra Medicine announce the establishment of Qatar’s first-ever pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant program, partnering with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) – one of the world’s best in the field of pediatrics.
Supported by CHOP’s expertise and educational capacity, the program is focused on treating patients with various blood diseases and cancers, with its announcement coming in the same month as international authorities on primary immune regulatory disorders – which affect the body’s ability to fight immune responses – gathered at Sidra Medicine for an inaugural conference on this topic.
HBKU’s Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University commenced an in-depth study of genetic factors involved in autism; while a WCM-Q research team published landmark findings how proteins can fight a wide range of diseases, and one of the university’s researchers received a prestigious international fellowship recognizing his contribution to Artificial Intelligence studies.
Meanwhile, WCM-Q’s LifeHub pavilion – which, throughout Expo 2023 Doha, showcased the potential of a future where innovation, research and development, and Artificial Intelligence, drive better health and greater sustainability – was named the most innovative corporate social responsibility initiative of 2024 at the Qatar CSR Summit.
This collaborative endeavor aims to contribute to the global scientific understanding of the genetic basis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, paving the way for improved care and support for individuals affected by ASD in Oman, Qatar, and beyond.
Sidra Medicine is the only hospital in Qatar to provide pediatric hematology and oncology care for children and young people with cancer and blood disorders.
Social Progress
The Power of ReadingAs visitors flocked to the annual Doha International Book Fair, they were welcomed by opportunities to have fun while learning, engage with local authors, and learn more about the Arabic language – courtesy of QF.
The event saw Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press launch its new Ejaz app – connecting readers with works in Arabic and English, by authors and scholars from around the world – and showcase its largest catalog to date, while episodes and songs from QF’s 3D edutainment series Siraj were screened, alongside participation from Education City-based Qatar National Library and its Qatar Reads initiative.
Elsewhere, 15 high school students from QF’s Qatar Academy Al Wakra connected with their peers from a US school in a cultural exchange trip enabled by a Qatar Foundation International (QFI) grant; and 30 QF school students developed their life skills, cultural awareness, and sense of teamwork at an educational camp with an Islamic heritage focus.
And Team Police College emerged victorious in the National Arabic Universities Debating Championship, organized by QF-founded QatarDebate, with Qatar Career Development Center – also founded by QF – honoring the participants of the second phase of its EmpowerAbility program, which educates people with learning challenges about entrepreneurship, financial planning, marketing, and project presentation.
As visitors flocked to the annual Doha International Book Fair, they were welcomed by opportunities to have fun while learning, engage with local authors, and learn more about the Arabic language – courtesy of QF.
The event saw Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press launch its new Ejaz app – connecting readers with works in Arabic and English, by authors and scholars from around the world – and showcase its largest catalog to date, while episodes and songs from QF’s 3D edutainment series Siraj were screened, alongside participation from Education City-based Qatar National Library and its Qatar Reads initiative.
Elsewhere, 15 high school students from QF’s Qatar Academy Al Wakra connected with their peers from a US school in a cultural exchange trip enabled by a Qatar Foundation International (QFI) grant; and 30 QF school students developed their life skills, cultural awareness, and sense of teamwork at an educational camp with an Islamic heritage focus.
And Team Police College emerged victorious in the National Arabic Universities Debating Championship, organized by QF-founded QatarDebate, with Qatar Career Development Center – also founded by QF – honoring the participants of the second phase of its EmpowerAbility program, which educates people with learning challenges about entrepreneurship, financial planning, marketing, and project presentation.
The fair is an integral opportunity for us to connect with readers in real time and engage with the local literary community. We are honored to be sharing the fairground with some of the largest publishers in the world.
Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability
Connections in TechCompanies defined by their desire to innovate for a more sustainable world signaled their plans to join the tech-focused community at QF’s Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) in May.
China’s Davinci Motor Co., Ltd, whose work centers on robotic vehicles, and leading Unmanned Service Vehicles Manufacturer OceanAlpha Group Ltd – whose products can perform functions including collecting vital data for environmental preservation – both signed Letters of Intent to establish research and development centers at QSTP. They were joined the following month by Tashan Technology, a world-renowned developer of Artificial Intelligence tactile sensing chips.
On the sustainability front, HBKU’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute hosted international stakeholders in the field of photovoltaics – the first time such meetings have been held in Doha – to discuss the ability of these modules to meet the needs of markets and users.
And having explored social, cultural, and political issues through mediums ranging from creative writing and documentaries to research projects, nine student works emerged as winners of Northwestern Qatar’s 11th Media and Research Awards, judged by industry experts in Qatar and local and international media and communication organizations.
Companies defined by their desire to innovate for a more sustainable world signaled their plans to join the tech-focused community at QF’s Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) in May.
China’s Davinci Motor Co., Ltd, whose work centers on robotic vehicles, and leading Unmanned Service Vehicles Manufacturer OceanAlpha Group Ltd – whose products can perform functions including collecting vital data for environmental preservation – both signed Letters of Intent to establish research and development centers at QSTP. They were joined the following month by Tashan Technology, a world-renowned developer of Artificial Intelligence tactile sensing chips.
On the sustainability front, HBKU’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute hosted international stakeholders in the field of photovoltaics – the first time such meetings have been held in Doha – to discuss the ability of these modules to meet the needs of markets and users.
And having explored social, cultural, and political issues through mediums ranging from creative writing and documentaries to research projects, nine student works emerged as winners of Northwestern Qatar’s 11th Media and Research Awards, judged by industry experts in Qatar and local and international media and communication organizations.
Qatar has positioned itself as a regional leader in innovation, and the possibility of welcoming global leaders in sustainable solutions means the country will further consolidate its regional role and boost its global impact.
Artificial Intelligence, Precision Health
Envisaging a New AgeAnd a fitness-focused entrepreneur who wants to change the game for health-centered innovation at QF in May to talk tech – in the latest edition of QF’s platform for dialogue, the Education City Speaker Series.
In his public talk, Will Ahmed, Founder and CEO of WHOOP – which develops next-generation wearable technology for optimizing health – explained how Artificial Intelligence will ultimately evolve to the point where it becomes a 24/7 coach, trainer, nutritionist, and doctor for wearers of such devices.
AI is already a key component of WHOOP’s technology, with its devices allowing users to ask questions about their health and fitness routine. But, as Ahmed explained, it is set to go much further.
“I think the power of health monitoring is that it will be able to predict illnesses, heart attacks, strokes, diseases, and all sorts of things,” he said. “And I do feel that, in the next three to five years, we are going to see this massive golden age for health awareness.
“I really believe we’re going to see an unbelievable growth in preventative medicine.”
And a fitness-focused entrepreneur who wants to change the game for health-centered innovation at QF in May to talk tech – in the latest edition of QF’s platform for dialogue, the Education City Speaker Series.
In his public talk, Will Ahmed, Founder and CEO of WHOOP – which develops next-generation wearable technology for optimizing health – explained how Artificial Intelligence will ultimately evolve to the point where it becomes a 24/7 coach, trainer, nutritionist, and doctor for wearers of such devices.
AI is already a key component of WHOOP’s technology, with its devices allowing users to ask questions about their health and fitness routine. But, as Ahmed explained, it is set to go much further.
“I think the power of health monitoring is that it will be able to predict illnesses, heart attacks, strokes, diseases, and all sorts of things,” he said. “And I do feel that, in the next three to five years, we are going to see this massive golden age for health awareness.
“I really believe we’re going to see an unbelievable growth in preventative medicine.”
