DOHA: Academic Bridge Programme (ABP) of Qatar Foundation celebrated its 15th Graduation Ceremony for 132 students.
More than 76 percent of Class of 2016 are Qatari and the remaining from 17 nationalities. The number of girls in ABP this year is about 77 percent.
Around 52 percent of the graduating class have been accepted to one of more of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) partner universities. About 90 percent of ABP graduates will have gained admissions to English language universities in Qatar and abroad, mostly the UK and the US.
The class brings the total number of ABP graduates to 2,697.
After a procession of faculty and students into the theatre at QNCC, the Qatari national anthem was played followed by a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, by ABP student Abdulla Al Malki.
Dr Bryan Lewallen, Director, ABP, spoke about the class followed by a welcome speech on behalf of the class by Sara Al Saiqal, Class Salutatorian.
Reflections on the 2015-2016 academic year were provided by Jawaher Al Khater, Vice-President, Students Association. Keynote speeches were given by two ABP students who graduated in 2008 and 2011.
Yousef Al Bader who graduated in 2008 and joined Texas A&M is now working as a senior engineer with Qatar Petroleum.
The second speaker, Ameena Al Haroon, graduated in 2011 and joined Carnegie Melon and is continuing her master’s at Translation and Interpreting Institute at HBKU.
The valedictorian was Qatari student Fai Ibrahim Al Sulaiti who was the first in the class academically. The Salutatorian (second in the class, academically) was Sara Al Saiqal, a Qatari student.
The Peninsula
