(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
As they prepare to celebrate their graduation, students of universities at Education City are ready to face the future – and realise their dreams
Doha: As a journey of learning and discovery that brought challenges and achievements nears its end, and as they embark on the next phase of their lives, Qatar Foundation's Class of 2023 graduates are ready to apply the knowledge they have gained within a unique educational ecosystem to addressing some of the world's most critical issues - such as energy transition, accessibility, and innovation.
Faisal Ashour, a Palestinian student, studied Chemical Engineering at Qatar Foundation's Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ). For Ashour, studying chemical engineering was purely through his interest in chemistry and the STEM fields, but as he progressed in his undergraduate studies, he discovered a keen interest in chemical engineering.
Faisal Ashour
“Climate change, sustainability, and clean energy are all important topics in the conversations of modern transition to a better, cleaner and brighter future for the world.
“As chemical engineers, we play an important role in transitioning common energy processes in the sectors of oil and gas, renewable energy and education sectors. My interest is exactly in such transitions, where I get to use my skills as a chemical engineer to redesign, optimise, and transition chemical processes to benefit local communities,” he said.
Ashour has been a resident of Qatar his whole life and his family has lived in Qatar since the 1960s. For him, his ultimate goal is to lead in the future of the energy sector, and become a valuable player in the industry in Qatar by contributing to the advancement of the country.
“In the near future, I will be pursuing my graduate studies in chemical engineering to further enhance my skills and level of education to reach my ultimate goal.
“Through my aspiration to lead in the energy sector and by utilizing my wholesome education at QF, I want to give back to what Qatar and QF provided me with to begin this journey. It is a dream that I will pursue.”
After years of studying Business Management and Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University at Qatar (CMU-Q) - a QF partner university - and as she prepares for her graduation, Shaikha Al Majed reflects on one of her precious childhood memories that helped to shape her future choices.
Shaikha Al Majed
She recalls how one day, as a six-year-old girl at her grandma's house, she collected all her toys, packed them into a cardboard box, and start to sell them to her cousins and aunts. At the end of that day, Shaikha pocketed about QAR30.
“I was overwhelmed with the emotions of accomplishment, confidence, and pride. My love for business was born since then,” said Al Majed.“I joined QF later, which fuelled my passion and motivated me to pursue this dream, which is being realized today with my graduation.”
“Over the past four years, CMU-Q has given me a transformative educational experience and has helped me develop a strong foundation in business administration, as well as valuable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.”
Through studying psychology as a minor and participating in a course about autism and neuropsychology, Al Majed's interest in exploring autism grew bigger.“Through a visit to Renad Academy, a QF school supporting children with autism, and the Best Buddies program, I deepened my knowledge of autism, and communicated closely with children with autism for the first time.
“The memories that I have made with these special children will have an everlasting impact on me. Meeting and interacting with them has motivated me to work towards raising awareness of how early intervention can help these children develop their full potential, which is one of my future goals.”
Noor Rashid
Aspiring fashion designer Noor Rashid Butt is a 24-year-old student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar Foundation partner university, who graduates this year.
Majoring in Fashion Design, with a minor in Fashion Merchandising, she created the 'nanobaya' worn by H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, on Qatar National Sport Day this year.
The specially designed fabric, treated with nanotechnology, absorbs the sun's UVB rays. It has thermal insulating properties, allowing the user to feel comfortable, as well as water resistant capabilities. The 'nanobaya' brings the concepts of fashion and innovation together.
Explaining how she felt when she discovered that H H Sheikha Moza had worn the garment, Noor said:“It was a very big surprise for me because I didn't even know that it was happening until I saw it in the news – I had never really imagined it coming to life.
“When I joined VCUarts Qatar, it was my father's dream that I would design something that H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser would wear. And on National Sport Day, his dream came true.”
Passionate about art and design from a young age, Noor said:“Art is more than just painting and drawing - everything around you is a form of art. And I've always wanted to show this to other people: that artists do more than just paint. This is why I joined VCUarts Qatar.”
Noor hopes to continue her learning journey by pursuing a master's degree in the future. And with her family originally being from Pakistan, though she has spent her whole life in Qatar, she would like to create her own fashion line that combines Pakistani craftsmanship and Qatari heritage.
Shaikha Darwish, an inspiring Qatari student, pursued Interior Design at Qatar Foundation's Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar despite her keenness to study Marine Biology. And although Darwish couldn't study what she wanted to due to unforeseen circumstances, her unwavering determination in engaging in the field of marine biology is helping her channel her creativity in interior design into other fields.
“I can still achieve my dream of becoming a marine biologist by studying interior design and applying what I am learning to the vast field of marine biology,” she says.
Darwish's deep love for marine life fueled her interest in designing a research center that caters to the needs of fragile marine species, such as coral reefs. Her graduation project embodies her passion for interior design and her commitment to preserving the environment, and leaving a positive impact on the world.
“My graduation project started from a small dream and grew with me until I made it a reality,” she says.
Darwish firmly believes that one's academic journey is only the beginning of their quest toward their dreams. She passionately advocates for following one's heart and tying their aspirations to their academic pursuits, as she has done.
“It is easy for anyone to enroll in any major, but the successful ones are those who tie their dreams to what they are studying.”
Darwish's future plans involve completing her studies in Biomimicry Architecture, a field that combines nature-inspired designs with sustainable innovation. With her visionary mindset, Darwish is set to achieve her goals and create a brighter future for our planet.
Aisha Al Muhannadi
Aisha Al Muhannadi, a senior majoring in Culture and Politics at Georgetown University in Qatar, shares her experience of being surrounded by women who have inspired and impacted her educational journey.
Aisha's parents did not have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate degrees, making her own educational journey more remarkable.“As a child, I vividly remember my mother instilling in me a powerful mantra - 'I am completing what is missing from me through you' - that has stayed with me my whole life,” says Aisha.
Despite being unable to complete her own university studies, her mother Najla Al Subaei has always believed in the transformative power of education, and from a young age instilled a sense of purpose in her daughters, emphasizing the importance of pursuing higher education.
And when Aisha began her university studies, her mother felt that it was her time to continue her own education journey, going on to complete her diploma and pursuing her bachelor's degree.
“My mother is my best friend,” says Aisha.“We were each other's support system and backbone throughout our undergraduate journey.”
Aisha highlights how the women in her family have always inspired her, citing her grandmother's unwavering determination to obtain a law degree in Egypt and going on to become the first female police officer in Qatar while raising nine children.
“Growing up, my mother was proud of me. Now, as an adult, I am filled with immense pride as I see her finally pursuing her own aspirations and realizing her long-held dreams,” says Aisha.
Neeha Rashid
Neeha Rashid, who has majored in Media Industries and Technology at QF partner university Northwestern University in Qatar, highlights the challenges she faced during her study and family life.
“Being a daughter in a conservative Pakistani family, with limited financial resources, meant that education beyond Pakistan, my home country, was never considered as an option,” said Rashid.
“Joining a Qatar Foundation university came like a blessing in my life, as Qatar is a country that is close to home, with similar customs and traditions to Pakistan. Also, the financial aid that QF provided made my decision a lot easier than imagined.
“I applied to Northwestern Qatar thinking I could never afford such world class education. But, thanks to QF, I was able to not only study in Qatar, but to spend a semester in Chicago as part of the student exchange program, created a film with a grant, and worked at companies like Al Jazeera Media Network.”
In 2017, Neeha's father was diagnosed with paralysis. So she decided that she wanted to help ease the financial burden on her family and fund her study at the university by launching her own website, Ink Blot.
“I started painting and selling hand-painted calligraphy, notebooks, traditional shoes, and tote bags,” she said.“Ink Blot soon became popular, and I was able to gather enough funds to support my family and to travel to Northwestern Qatar on a scholarship.
“I couldn't be more thankful to QF and Northwestern Qatar for making that happen. My business is now expanding to Qatar, and I hope to start selling through the Education City Gift Shop and Torba Farmers Market soon.”
QF's annual Alumni Forum will be held on Saturday, May 13, with graduates of QF's education ecosystem coming together to connect and reconnect with each other, build their networks, and discuss matters related to career pathways and opportunities with national stakeholders. The Forum reflects QF's efforts to build a nationwide and international alumni community, and to providing its alumni with a platform to voice their ideas, concerns, challenges, and suggestions as they pursue their careers.