TAMU-Q officials and students at the academic convocation ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMU-Q) hosted its newest students, the Class of 2017, at the 2013-2014 Academic Convocation ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre recently. The event’s keynote speaker was Dr Maria Haims, senior management scientist at Rand Corporation and an engineer.
Dr Mark H Weichold, dean and CEO, TAMU-Q, noted the accomplishments of the University during the previous 10 years and said: “In the coming years, as you study, learn and grow at the University, you will see TAMU-Q’s continued leadership manifested in many different ways. You will see it in engagement as the University expands in more and ever-diversified partnerships with industry; collaborations as it fosters partnerships with world –renowned academics; enrichment as it continues and grows its commitment to academic excellence; creativity as it produces new knowledge through research and scholarly undertakings; and outreach as it partners with the community to enhance its development with a focus on STEM education.”
Dr Hamid Parsaei, associate dean of Academic Affairs, said: “This year marks the 11th class admitted to TAMU-Q. Over the past decade, we have proudly delivered some of the most demanding engineering education in Qatar, and have educated some of the finest engineers in the world. Texas A&M University engineering disciplines have been known for more than a century for their rigorous theoretical concepts and hands-on experiential content, and these curricula help our graduates enrich Qatar’s greatest natural resource as they pursue the country’s 2030 national vision.”
The programme recognised both undergraduate and graduate classes and acknowledged Distinguished Student List awardees and Dean’s Honor Roll recipients from the previous fall and spring semesters.
Chemical and electrical engineering students respectively, Moiz Bohra and Morcos Metry, were two of the continuing students recognized for their academic achievements.
Bohra said the celebration had a profound impact on him, noting, “Academic Convocation is an occasion for students to reflect on our journey through university thus far, to recognise our peers for their outstanding scholastic achievements, and to inspire all Aggies, new and old, to pursue a successful academic career through integrity, hard work and dedication. I am proud to welcome the new class of 2017 as part of the Aggie community. I am also excited to learn more about the challenges facing the engineering world in my final year of study at TAMU-Q, particularly through my research work.”
“As a fourth year student, it was a great honour for me to attend this year’s Convocation,” said Metry, electrical engineering major. “I feel that this is the most special academic convocation yet, as it marks the start of my final year. I am very excited to begin working on my senior design project and to pursue my career in the field of engineering. I am elated for all my dear friends and colleagues who received awards during the ceremony. I hope that the new freshmen are inspired to work hard and to become the future leaders of TAMU-Q.”
The Peninsula
