Texas A&M University at Qatar graduated more than 100 engineers at its spring commencement exercise Thursday (7 May) evening at the Ceremonial Court at Education City.
The ceremony celebrated the branch campus’ new spring graduates with approximately 105 degrees across four engineering disciplines and its chemical engineering graduate program.
These graduates mark an achievement for Texas A&M at Qatar: more than 600 degrees awarded since its inception.
During the celebration, Texas A&M at Qatar acknowledged its comprehensive growth from its inaugural class of 29 students in 2003 to one that boasts more than 500 current students, as well as a graduate program and more than $196 million in research.
Dr. Mark H. Weichold, Texas A&M at Qatar dean and CEO, acknowledged the graduates who are well prepared to become Qatar’s future leaders, saying, “The Texas A&M degrees being conferred tonight represent many years of hard work and dedication on the part of some very talented young people, committed to achieving their goals.
“I share their happiness and excitement and commend them on receiving the degrees which they so richly deserve. I know this rising generation of engineering leaders will continue to excel in their lives’ future endeavors, just as they have done so in getting here. My challenge to each of them is to find their passion and then use that passion to make a difference in Qatar, the region, and the world."
Her Excellency Dana Shell Smith, the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, addressed the branch campus’ graduating class, congratulating them for their accomplishments and sharing a few of the lessons she has picked up along the way since her own graduation.
In her remarks, H.E. Smith said, “You’ve all been working hard over the past four years, striving to excel, reaching for those perfect scores. And now you’re leaving here with one of the most important privileges in today’s world — one only 1 in 15 adults on Earth can claim — a college degree. And yours isn’t just any old degree, it’s a degree in engineering from one of the world’s premier educational institutions. The wealth of knowledge you have gained through your years here at Texas A&M is something of priceless value that no one can ever take away from you.
“Today I’m sure you are all thinking about what a nice break it will be to sleep in tomorrow with no homework, no exams hanging over your head and the world spread out before you. It’s true what they say: Today is the first day of the rest of your life. You deserve a breather and by all means you should sleep in. Then it’s time to get up and start to think about how to use this incredible gift you have earned.”
The May 2015 graduating class is diverse, with 13 graduate and 22 undergraduate chemical engineers, 29 electrical engineers, 29 mechanical engineers and 14 petroleum engineers. The graduating class is almost 40 percent female and represents more than 20 countries.
VIP speakers at the commencement event also included Doha Aggie Club member Mr. John Campbell ’95 and student speaker Omar Suleman Khan ’15, who graduated with a degree in chemical engineering.
About Texas A&M University at Qatar
Texas A&M University, recognized as having one of the premier engineering programs in the world, has offered undergraduate degrees in chemical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering and petroleum engineering at Qatar Foundation’s Education City campus since 2003, and graduate degrees in chemical engineering since fall 2011. More than 600 engineers have graduated from Texas A&M at Qatar since 2007. In addition to engineering courses, Texas A&M at Qatar provides classes in science, mathematics, liberal arts and the humanities. All four of the engineering programs offered at Texas A&M at Qatar are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The curricula offered at Texas A&M at Qatar are materially the same as those offered at the main campus in College Station, Texas, and the courses in Doha are taught in English in a co-educational setting. The reputation for excellence is the same, as is the commitment to equip engineers to lead the next generation of engineering advancement. Faculty from around the world are attracted to Texas A&M at Qatar to provide this educational experience and to participate in research activities now valued at more than $196 million, and that address issues important to the State of Qatar. Visit www.qatar.tamu.edu.