TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA NORTHWESTERN University in Qatar (NUQ) will graduate its first student class in an inaugural ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre on May 9
Thirty-six students will receive Bachelor of Science degrees in journalism or communication, awarded by Northwestern’s renowned Medill School of Journalism and School of Communication, respectively.

Commenting on the landmark occasion, Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al Thani, a member of NUQ’s Joint Advisory Board, said, “NUQ’s first graduation is a milestone for Qatar. A thriving media industry is crucial to a knowledge-based economy, and this field of graduates is poised to make a mark. I look to these fresh graduates to work diligently to translate their education into meaningful contributions to our nation’s development, driving our media industries to new horizons of progress and freedom.” The media school has invited globally renowned Middle East author, columnist and policy analyst Rami Khouri to serve as graduation speaker. Khouri is the director of Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University in Beirut, a columnist for the Beirut-based Daily Star and has been a member of the NUQ Joint Advisory Board since 2010.

Dr Everette E Dennis, dean and CEO of Northwestern University in Qatar, said, “Rami Khouri is a great friend of NUQ. I can think of no one else who can embody the values and sprit of our school better. His easy connection between the practical world of media and communications — and his expansive perspective as a scholar is a model for anyone who hopes to promote public understanding in the global community.” Other notable attendees will include Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary- General of Supreme Education Council HE Saad bin Ibrahim al Mahmoud, President of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Sheikh Abdulla al Thani and NUQ Joint Advisory Board members Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al Thani, Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim al Thani, who is also the director-general of Al Jazeera Network and Abdul Rahman Azzam.

Top NUQ figures to attend include President Morton Schapiro, Provost Daniel Linzer, Board of Trustees Chair William Osborn, Dean of the School of Communication Barbara O’Keefe, Dean of the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications John Lavine and Founding Dean of Northwestern University in Qatar John Margolis. Select members of the university’s Board of Trustees will also be present at the ceremony.

The university will be hosting a series of events for students, parents, international guests and visitors from Northwestern’s Evanston campus, and faculty and staff at NUQ to celebrate the inaugural graduation.

On May 5, NUQ students will kick-off the weeklong celebration with a senior retreat. A formal dinner on May 6 will give seniors a chance to reflect on their four years at NUQ.

On May 7, senior students will showcase their best works for international guests and Northwestern Trustees.

Also on that day, they will choose one faculty member from the communication and journalism programmes to deliver a final lecture as part of community day that will also include a senior ‘Food for Thought’ session, where each student will impart their ‘pearls of wisdom’ to remaining NUQ classes.

An awards recognition lunch, hosted by NUQ President Morton Schapiro, will be held on May 8. Five student awards —Journalism Award, Communication Award, Liberal Arts Award, Student Leader Award and Dean’s Award — will be given out at the lunch, where the president will also recognise NUQ’s Latin honour students. Benazir Karim, the senior valedictorian, will give a speech.

Also on May 8, NUQ will join the other Education City universities at the Qatar Foundation-hosted Senior Convocation, before the university’s inaugural commencement ceremony the following day.

During the final graduation celebration, NUQ’s senior members will travel to Evanston, Illinois in mid- June to participate in the graduation ceremonies at Northwestern University’s home campus. There, they will receive their official diploma alongside other Northwestern graduates.