104 graduates join global Carnegie Mellon family of Alumni

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar celebrated its eighth graduation ceremony last night, the largest in the Doha campus’ history, as 104 graduates representing 19 countries were awarded their diplomas in front of family, friends and the university community.

As the largest graduating class from the Qatar campus to date – 54 business administration students, 29 in information systems, 17 in computer science, and four in biological sciences graduating students received their degrees to officially become part of Carnegie Mellon University’s global network of more than 100,000 alumni.

The ceremony began with a processional led by faculty marshal and associate dean John O’Brien and comprising graduates, faculty and members of the university’s senior leadership. The ceremony was held on campus at the iconic Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar building in Education City.

Congratulating the class of 2015, Dean of Carnegie Mellon Qatar Ilker Baybars said: "It is with great pride that I extend my congratulations to the Class of 2015. You have exemplified Carnegie Mellon’s traits of hard work, collaboration across disciplines, and innovation. As Carnegie Mellon graduates, we are confident that you are prepared for your future in Qatar and across the world." Baybars awarded the Meritorious Teaching Award to Muhammad Fuad Farooqi, assistant teaching professor of finance, for his remarkable dedication to his undergraduate teaching.

Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards went to graduates from each program, based on outstanding academic performance, and included, Bilal Jaradat from biological sciences, Tanzeel Huda from business administration, Sabih Bin Wasi from computer science, and Sama Kanbour from information systems.

Lana Al Kahala, the 2015 Andrew Carnegie Society Scholar, and the Qatar Campus Scholars, was also recognized during the ceremony. This year’s Qatar Campus Scholars were Al Kahala and Tanzeel Huda, both business administration graduates, Sabih Bin Wasi from computer science and information systems graduate Sama Kanbour.

Also this year, 10 students received Senior Student Leadership Awards: Vanessa Fernandes (with distinction), Tarek Al Hariri (with distinction), Hassan Al-Malki (with distinction), Mohamed Benkermi, Francine Dinglasan, Ahmed Hashmi, Lana Al-Khahala, Mohammed Al-Matwi, Lamana Mulaffer, and Amalan Roshan.

During his remarks, Nathan Urban, Carnegie Mellon’s Interim Provost, encouraged graduates to pursue their ambitions: "Carnegie Mellon has prepared you well for whatever directions your lives and aspirations will take you; in every field of study, this university has given you a worldview that will serve you well. I look forward to seeing what the Class of 2015 will accomplish and how you will contribute to the world." Abdelrahman Haroun, the student speaker and an information systems graduate, plans to pursue a graduate degree and eventually return to his home country of Egypt to make positive change.

Highlighting the vast opportunities available to the Class of 2015, Haroun said, "There is the student whose campaign against reckless driving will save lives. Another developed business fashion shows so that more of us will have professional confidence. Another wanted to host websites, now his startup is employing our undergraduates. Almost all of us had ideas cooking for a long time as daydreams, but Carnegie Mellon gave us the courage to pursue them." Carnegie Mellon Qatar graduates are highly sought after by local, regional and international organizations. More than 90 percent of the university’s alumni are either in graduate programs or employed in top organizations like Google, Microsoft, Qatar Petroleum, Shell and Commercial Bank Qatar.