UCL Qatar celebrates new class of graduates

UCL Qatar hosted its fifth graduation ceremony on the 28^th of April to honour thirty students who are now ready to step into the professional world. The university awarded an MA to thirteen students in Library and Information Studies and fourteen in Museum and Gallery Practice.

In addition, one student attained a Postgraduate Certificate in Library and Information Studies, while two more received a Postgraduate Certificate in Museum and Gallery Practice.

The graduating class, 73% of which were women, represented twenty nationalities, out of which nine were Qatari nationals. The majority of graduates have already secured employment in leading cultural organisations in Qatar or have chosen to further their studies elsewhere. 

Joining the students in their celebrations, Professor Anthony Smith, UCL’s Vice-Provost, Education and Student Affairs, attended the event as a guest of honour, while Alumna Bouthayna Baltaji, who graduated in 2015 with a Master of Art and is now Head of Exhibitions at the National Museum of Qatar, was the event’s keynote speaker.

UCL Qatar Graduate Speaker, Abeer Saad Abdullah Ghanem Al Kuwari, described the significant milestone by stating: “The ceremony today announces our completion of a fascinating educational journey, which equipped each one of us with essential attributes that will contribute to shaping our future. After today, we will each move along our own individual paths. Yet I believe that we will always be tied together.  The years we spent studying in UCL Qatar will strongly connect us throughout our professional lives, through friendships and through unforgettable memories of hard work, dedication and success with our degrees in hand.” 

Speaking to the graduating class, Sam Evans, Director of UCL Qatar said, “You have achieved a very significant milestone and we are all excited to see you embark on the next phase of your careers as active and proud members of UCL’s global alumni community. Congratulations to each and every one of you.”

The Graduation ceremony was held at Bin Jelmood House, as part of the ongoing successful collaboration with Msheireb Museums, who have kindly hosted many UCL Qatar events, including last year’s students’ exhibition, “We are the Daughters of Qatar”.

UCL Qatar was set up in 2010 as a partnership between University College London, one of the top ten universities in the world, and Qatar Foundation. During the past decade, it has developed a leading international and diverse student body with alumni working at leading cultural and educational entities in the country, such as Qatar National Library and Qatar Museums. Over 200 masters and doctoral students have graduated from UCL Qatar since its inauguration.

Additionally, a number of UCL Qatar’s graduates have furthered their studies becoming professors and researchers, thus contributing to building the country’s knowledge-based economy – as highlighted in the Qatar National Vision 2030.

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UCL QATAR - A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE STUDIES
University College London (UCL) is London’s academic powerhouse, a multi-disciplinary university consistently ranked in the top 10 of global university league tables.  Established in 1826 in order to open up higher education in the UK for the first time to students of any race, class or religion, UCL continues to direct its teaching and research into addressing real-world problems.  Research extending to the far corners of the globe is at the forefront of UCL’s academic activities.  This involves meeting UCL’s ‘Grand Challenges’ by working together, across the university, to tackle some of the world’s most significant challenges.  Today, students from over 150 countries study at UCL, sharing these common attributes of creativity and critical thinking. 

UCL, in partnership with Qatar Foundation, has created UCL Qatar, a centre of excellence for the study of cultural heritage and knowledge management.  UCL Qatar welcomed its first intake of students in August 2012 and has since enrolled more than 220 students from over 50 countries.  Drawing upon the renowned expertise of the UCL Institute of Archaeology, London; leading academic scholars, teachers and scientists implement our unique curriculum and research.

Today, UCL Qatar offers a rigorous and dynamic learning environment with two Master's degree programmes, the MA Museum and Gallery Practice and the MA in Library and Information Studies.  Specifically designed to meet the needs of both International and Qatar-based students looking for careers in the cultural heritage, library and knowledge management sectors.

UCL Qatar seeks not only to create a centre of excellence in the Gulf region for studying but to strive, with the community, to bring cultural heritage and knowledge management training opportunities to the widest possible audience. Mid-career heritage professionals can sign up for UCL Qatar’s Professional and Executive Education courses, and members of the public can get a taste for all things cultural heritage and knowledge management via the several public events organised during the whole calendar year.

© Press Release 2019