VCUarts Qatar Dean Amir Berbić with the class of 2026.
Doha, Qatar: Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) proudly celebrated its Class of 2026 at its 25th annual commencement ceremony held on Monday, May 4, at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel.
The occasion marked the achievements of 69 students from undergraduate and graduate programs, including Art History, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Painting and Printmaking, and the MFA in Design, who will now join a growing global network of VCUarts Qatar alumni.
Despite the challenges of moving to online learning during the spring semester, the Class of 2026 upheld VCUarts Qatar’s standards of quality and academic rigor to deliver high-caliber work under evolving conditions. Opening remarks were shared via a recorded address by several members of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) leadership, including Dr. Michael Rao, President of VCU; Dr. Arturo Saavedra, Executive Vice President and Provost of VCU; and Dr. Carmenita Higginbotham, Dean of VCUarts and Special Assistant to the Provost for VCUarts Qatar.
This year, President Rao shared a message of hope and encouragement with the graduates: “We know this celebratory moment comes amid challenges…which makes your achievement even more meaningful. You are graduating at a time when the world needs thoughtful, creative leaders more than ever. I am confident you will go forward with creativity and compassion to shape a future that is more positively connected than ever before.” Additionally, from VCUarts Qatar, the University’s leadership team, including Dean Amir Berbić, associate and assistant deans, department chairs, faculty, and staff, were in attendance to support the graduating class.
Deputy CEO of AL RIWAQ, Public Art, and Rubaiya Qatar at Qatar Museums, Sheikha Reem Al-Thani delivering the commencement address.
Marking the occasion, Dean Amir Berbić reflected on the challenges that graduates overcame during their final semester.
He noted that the shift to virtual learning that required students to complete their senior theses and final projects from home—away from the studios, labs, classrooms, and creative community that they were accustomed to—did not stop them from continuing to push their work forward.
“That took real perseverance. It required discipline, flexibility, patience, and determination,” Dean Amir Berbić said. “You kept making, thinking, researching, revising…even when the conditions were far from what you had imagined for your final semester.
“What this class demonstrated was about more than resilience, though there was certainly plenty of that. You showed maturity, focus, and a real commitment to your work and to one another.
“You proved that meaningful creative work does not depend on perfect conditions. It depends on curiosity, rigor, resourcefulness, and the willingness to continue when the path changes unexpectedly.” This year’s Commencement speaker was Sheikha Reem Al-Thani, Deputy CEO of AL RIWAQ, Public Art, and Rubaiya Qatar at Qatar Museums (QM), who had led major exhibitions and public art initiatives that have elevated Qatar’s cultural profile regionally and internationally.
The title of Valedictorian was bestowed upon two students this year, Khawla Zaki Al-Essa (GDES, 2026) and Sruthi Subash (GDES, 2026), who hold the highest academic ranking among the graduation class. Their joint speech reflected on a journey that was far from linear and expressed deep gratitude for the support of family, friends, and the VCUarts Qatar community.
