NNA - The Qatar Scholarship – Education Above All (EAA) program at the American University of Beirut (AUB) celebrated the graduation of 120 students. The diverse cohort of graduates, spanning various majors and specialties, was honored in a ceremony attended by prominent figures, including Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president; Sultan Ahmad Al Aseeri, director general of development projects at Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD); Talal Al-Hothal, director of the Al Fakhoora Program at EAA; and Saad Al Shamali, representative of the Qatari ambassador to Lebanon; in addition to members of the AUB community, graduates, and their families.
Khuri opened the ceremony by expressing his pride in the graduates, describing them as global citizens and leaders poised to make a significant impact worldwide. "Through cultural immersion and commitment to major sustainable solutions, you have excelled and are well-prepared to address the global challenges we face," he remarked. He then underscored the significant contributions of the Qatar Fund for Development and Education Above All Foundation, highlighting the powerful role of the program in fostering leadership, equity, diversity, and fairness among its participants.
He further emphasized the integrity and dedication of AUB students, particularly those in the scholarship program. "The final factor of effort is critical. Students, you have not cheated yourselves or the university of effort for one moment. You have given everything in your pursuit."
Talal Al-Hothal, director of Al Fakhoora Programme at EAA, said, "Over the span of four years, Education Above All Foundation's Al Fakhoora Programme has provided invaluable opportunities for Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian students to pursue their academic journey at AUB. We are proud of the achievements they have attained today as their graduation signifies the importance of equipping oneself with the skills, critical thinking, and adaptability needed to navigate the complexities of life with a sense of purpose."
Sultan Al-Aseeri, acting director general at Qatar Fund for Development, said, "Qatar Fund for Development strives to achieve its vision of promoting sustainable development and social justice through education. We believe that education is the foundation for building strong and resilient communities, and it is the best way to empower individuals to achieve their full potential and create opportunities while fueling sustainable growth."
Professor Joseph Costantine, director of the Qatar Scholarship-EAA Program at AUB, introduced in his speech the second edition of the Ace Talks competition which is open to the students of the Qatar Scholarship-EAA program at AUB who would like to compete in public speaking, writing, presenting, and creative thinking. He emphasized the scholarship's goal of pushing students to think creatively, acquire new skills, and embark on remarkable journeys. He also shed light on the program's significant accomplishments, including the launch of a new study abroad program in collaboration with EAA and Qatar Foundation.
Reflecting on personal experiences of conflict, Costantine highlighted the trauma faced by students in war zones and underscored the urgent need for change. "We want our students to speak up, and at AUB, we believe they can lead us to that brighter future. As a result, 'Speaking for Change' became the topic of the ACE Talks competition for this year. Students rushed to speak up, and we received numerous submissions simply because among today's graduates are future CEOs of ground-breaking companies, scientists poised to make brilliant inventions, biologists on the cusp of curing diseases, and engineers ready to streamline our lives," he affirmed.
The second part of the event featured the finale of the ACE Talks competition, themed "Speaking for Change." The four finalists–Amal Sharab, a nursing student; Ghina Sweidan, a psychology student; Reem Malaeb, a medical laboratory science student; and Reem El Hadka, a computer science student–shared their insights on advocating for change.
The ceremony also featured a series of three videos showcasing students involved in the Study Abroad in Qatar Program - a component of the Qatar Scholarship – EAA program - as well as the first and second edition of the ACE Talks competition; in addition to members of the scholarship team; highlighting their perspectives on scholarship activities and upcoming events.
The event concluded with the presentation of special scholarship awards: the Highest GPA Distinction award went to Garo Kerdelian, the Highest Qatar Connection Participation award was a tie between Angela Sobhieh and Manar Al Hamedi, and the Special Civic Engagement award was given to Peter Wakim. The ceremony wrapped up with a group photo.
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