Carnegie Mellon was a transformative experience for grad speaker Amer Ahmad
As we approach Graduation 2019, we are looking at just a few of the 78 graduating seniors who are finishing their undergraduate degrees and beginning careers in business, science and technology. Today we profile Amer Ahmad, who was selected to be the graduation speaker for the Class of 2019. Amer is graduating with a degree in information systems.
When Amer Ahmad began his studies at CMU-Q, he was a self-described introvert, unsure about where his career path would lead. “I remember instances when I wouldn’t ask for help in my freshman-level courses because I was too shy to ask questions.”
In his sophomore year, Amer stepped out his comfort zone and participated in some of the learning trips organized by CMU-Q. “I learned so much from the trips. You get to meet people from different backgrounds, majors, classes and groups. That is something that I found very helpful and it influenced me to open up more.”
As he explored the communities of Salamanca, Pittsburgh, Bali and Sydney, Amer began to see new ways he could contribute to his CMU-Q community in Doha. During his last few years at CMU-Q, Amer served as a head orientation counsellor, the president of the cricket club and co-founder of the equestrian club. His idea was selected for the Uplift Challenge—a competition to change the CMU-Q space to promote well-being—with his idea for campus “positivity zones.”
For his contributions to the CMU-Q community, Amer was recognized with a 2019 Senior Student Leadership Award.
“CMU-Q has shaped me and helped me become more confident, and I have tried to make a difference here, too,” he said.
As Amer was undergoing this personal transformation, he also discovered that he is passionate about the field of data analytics: “In my junior year I realized how much I like solving business problems with technology. I’m fortunate I found an area I really enjoy.”
To cap off his time at CMU-Q, Amer will deliver the student reflection at the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2019. “Being chosen as the graduation speaker is the biggest accomplishment I have had at CMU-Q,” he said. “It is such an honor to represent my classmates.”