Friday, 10 May 2013

DOHA: Texas A&M University Qatar graduated its 400th engineer at the spring commencement ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) yesterday. 

The ceremony celebrated the university's 113 spring graduates and its first two chemical engineering master's program graduates. Khalid A Al Falih, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco, who is also a Texas A&M '82 graduate, was the guest speaker. 

The event was a milestone for the university as it is commemorating its 10th year here at the Qatar Foundation Education City campus. Midway through the year-long celebration, the university is acknowledging its comprehensive growth from its inaugural class of 29 students in 2003 to one that boasts over 480 current students, a graduate program and more than $130m in research. 

Dr Mark H Weichold, Texas A&M Qatar Dean and CEO, said that the graduates will be playing key roles in Qatar's development: 

"You are a special class for the university as you represent 10 years of Aggie engineering education in Qatar. It is an honour to be present as the University graduates its 113th new engineer. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and its contribution towards Qatar's National Vision 2030. As engineers, you will be responsible for the further building of Qatar and for creating the new knowledge that will realize Qatar's goal of becoming a knowledge-based economy. This is truly a time when the future is in your hands."

Al Falih welcomed the Class of 2013 to a worldwide network of Texas A&M alumni, noting it is 'a fellowship distinguished not just by the quality of its education, but by a lasting sense of identity and purpose'. 

Al Falih is a recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus 2013 award and the Outstanding International Alumnus 2010 award. He is one of only three Texas A&M former students to achieve both recognitions. 

The May 2013 graduating class feaures 24 chemical engineers, 29 electrical engineers, 32 mechanical engineers and 28 petroleum engineers. The class has 36 percent female and represents 28 countries.

Speakers included Texas A&M University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr Karan L Watson, Dr David B Prior, executive vice president and provost at Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha Aggie Club President, John Fenn, Jr., '05; and student speaker, Hamad Ali H A Al Badr, '11, mechanical engineering. 

© The Peninsula 2013