Class of 2010 graduates

DOHA, QATAR – Thirty-four students received diplomas at Carnegie Mellon Qatar's third graduation ceremony May 3. Twenty-five students received degrees in business administration, five in computer science and four in information systems.

Dr. Hessa Sultan Al-Jaber, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology, ictQATAR, delivered the keynote address to the 34 graduates and the audience of more than 700 family members, friends, faculty, staff and members of the Doha community.

In the Scottish tradition of Carnegie Mellon University, a bagpiper clad in full regalia led the formal procession of graduating students, Carnegie Mellon faculty, deans, the university provost, keynote speaker and university president into the ceremony hall. Students donned traditional black gowns and mortarboards bearing a red tassel and 2010 pendant. Faculty members wore traditional graduation robes from the college or university where they received their degrees.

The formal ceremony began with a declaration by faculty marshal Patrick McGinnis, who led the procession carrying the ceremonial Arabic sword. The Qatari National Anthem and the United States National Anthem were played by a local string quartet. Charles E. Thorpe, Ph.D., Dean of Carnegie Mellon Qatar welcomed the graduates and the guests after an Arabic poetry reading by graduating student Shuaa Al-Nasr.

“You have all been outstanding learners. You have learned computer science and information systems and business administration; you have learned calculus and history and design; and you have learned how to work with people: classmates and faculty and staff from different nations, different languages, different religions, different ages, different genders, all kinds of people. You have learned to be leaders,” remarked Dean Thorpe. “I’m sure I’ve learned at least as much as I’ve taught during my time in Doha. Thanks to all of you for being teachers as well as learners. Let’s promise each other to keep leading, to keep learning, and to keep encouraging each other.”

The ceremony’s keynote speaker Dr. Hessa Sultan Al Jaber, the Secretary General of the ictQATAR, had some particularly relevant words for the graduates as a leader in Qatar’s information, communication and technology sectors. She focused her remarks on encouraging students to find their unique dream, and follow it both professionally and personally. She also spoke on the advantages the graduates have through technological advancements, which allow their generation to “truly live without borders,” and are key to addressing the world’s political, social, economic and environmental issues.

“Politically, environmentally, economically, the world has never been so complex. But you have what it takes to maneuver around the roadblocks. Carnegie Mellon has given you the skills, the knowledge, the confidence to make your way. Your families and your community have given you the support,” said Dr. Al Jaber. “As the head of the agency responsible for championing the development of the ICT sector in Qatar, I promise you that your knowledge and skills are essential to helping Qatar and the region improve lives.”

Student speaker Urmila Rosario, a Business Administration major, spoke on behalf of the Class of 2010. Commenting on the unique educational experience at Carnegie Mellon, she described the university’s rigorous academic program and extracurricular activities “that would prepare her and her classmates for their professional lives.” She added, “As students of Carnegie Mellon Qatar, we have learned about ethics, social responsibility and the need for us to use our abilities for the benefit of society…I feel proud to be a part of an academic community that tirelessly strives to do good in the world.”

Another highlight of the ceremony was a special Hooding Ceremony for Justin Carlson, a Ph.D. candidate in Robotics. The Hooding Ceremony is a special recognition for doctoral degree candidates signifying the success in completing the graduate program.

Jared L. Cohon, President of Carnegie Mellon University, delivered the presidential charge. “I am honored to address the Class of 2010 as it joins more than 84,000 people worldwide who have earned a degree from Carnegie Mellon. You are now part of a very distinguished group – Nobel Prize winners, CEOs, famous actors and artists, and high government officials,” said Cohon. “As a graduate of Carnegie Mellon, much is expected of you. No, I don’t expect each of you to win a Nobel Prize, but I do expect that each of you will have a positive impact on the people around you, in the places you work, in the communities in which you live and in the world.”

The 2010 graduating class included thirty-four students receiving Bachelor of Science degrees. Twenty-four students received degrees in Business Administration, six in Computer Science, and four in Information Systems. These graduates represented 11 nationalities including Oman, India, Tunisia, Yemen, Egypt, Philippines, Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United States and Qatar.

The graduation ceremony is an important event for Carnegie Mellon Qatar because it engages the entire community in the history, life and future of Carnegie Mellon, celebrating its achievements and heralding the promise for a bright future for its graduates.

Members of the Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar Class of 2010

In Business Administration: Alhanoof Al-Emadi, Amal Al Barwani*, Amna Jassim Al-Sultan, Urmila Christabelle Rosario, Eatidal Mohammed Al-Qatami, Iyed Jouini, Eman Yusri Tag, Buthayna Mohammed J M Al-Madhadi, Hatem Salem, Saad Rashid Al-Matwi, Siddharth Arora, Shaereen Kryz B. Vencilao, Shuaa Khalifa Al-Nasr, Saleh Majid AlKhulaifi, Tarik Abou-Galala, Aisha Al-Darwish, Aisha Al-Sada, Abdulla Ali Al-Kuwari, Ohoud Omar Issa Al Sherawi, Fatima Ahmad Al Fakhri, M. Arsalan Arif, Mehrunissa Anis, Nayef Mansoor Al-Kaabi, Nasreen Zahan*, Hadi Murtada, Hanoof Thani Al-Thani

In Computer Science: Rishav Bhowmick, Shakir Shahid Hussain*, Aysha Siddique*, Keghani Kristelle Kouzoujian, Mohammed Kaleemur Rahman, Md. Shahriar Haque, Yi Luen Eng

In Information Systems: Khalid Abdulla J M Alsooj, Nasreen Zahan*, Aysha Siddique*, Shakir Shahid Hussain*, Amal Al Barwani*

* Denotes a student who received degrees in more than one subject.

ABOUT CARNEGIE MELLON

With more than a century of academic excellence and distinguished research, Carnegie Mellon University is a leader in education with real-world applications. Consistently top ranked, the University has more than 11,000 students, 84,000 alumni and 4,000 faculty and staff globally. Core values of innovation, creativity, collaboration and problem solving provide the foundation for everything we do.

At the invitation of Qatar Foundation, Carnegie Mellon joined Education City in 2004. Here, Qatar Foundation created a unique center for scholarship and research that is the ideal complement to Carnegie Mellon’s mission and vision. Students from Qatar and 30 different countries enroll at our world-class facilities in Education City. Carnegie Mellon Qatar offers undergraduate programs in business administration, computer science and information systems. Learn more at qatar.cmu.edu.