VCUQatar holds 2017 Commencement ceremony

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) held its 2017 Commencement Ceremony on Monday at the HBKU Student Center, and it was by all accounts a resounding success.

The university conferred 50 Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, painting and printmaking, and art history, and four Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees in design. The 16th Commencement brings the number of VCUQatar alumni to 620.

H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF), was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.

"VCU-Q has established a homegrown ecosystem right here in Doha - an ecosystem that promotes, develops and rewards innovation in art and design. The success of this mission is embodied in each member of the Class of 2017,” she said.

The dignitaries present at the ceremony included US Ambassador Dana Shell Smith, Dr Michael Rao, the President of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Each year at Commencement, special recognition is given to individuals whose careers and values have done much to enhance the quality of life of communities around the world. This year, VCUQatar presented the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Dana Shell Smith, United States Ambassador to the State of Qatar, for her ongoing commitment and support to Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, and for her overall dedication to being an advocate for Arts and Humanities.

“On behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, it is my pleasure to congratulate the class of 2017. Their hard work has driven them to the finish line of their studies atVCUQatar, and will push them towards the commencement of their professional careers, and the path to an endless array of possibilities. It is also a great honor to bestow upon US Ambassador Dana Shell Smith, Virginia Commonwealth University’s highest form of recognition, the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. She has been a steadfast supporter of the arts and humanities, and remained dedicated to encouraging Qatar’s youth to read, write and think critically about important topics in society, while improving their English literacy skills through the Young Writers Program,” said Dr Akel I. Kahera, the Dean of VCUQatar.

The Class of 2017 Valedictorian Alisha Rehan Saiyed, and Salutatorian Radheya A. Visperas gave a well-received and speech in which they thanked their families, fellow graduates, friends, faculty and staff.

“Remember that this is not the end, just the beginning. And if you work really hard and are lucky, you might find success. If you’re really lucky, you’ll find purpose. And when you have a purpose to pursue, your failures and successes no longer define you and they no longer hold you back,” Alisha told her fellow graduates.