+ A
A -
Tribune News Network
Doha
IN the presence of guests, including Ambassador of the US to Qatar HE Dana Shell Smith and Dean Clinton Francis of the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) College of Law and Public Policy, Squire Patton Boggs hosted a ceremony in its Doha office on August 25, to recognise Asma al Khulaifi's successful completion of her Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Fellowship.
Khulaifi is one of 18 individuals who were awarded the 2016 Fellowship by the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation in May and the only Fellow from a non-US law school. Khulaifi, who completed her undergraduate studies at Georgetown University in Qatar, has just embarked on her second year as a law student at HBKU and is the Foundation's third Fellow from Qatar.
Khulaifi, who has been involved in numerous initiatives, including the United Nations Doha Youth Forum on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, completed her Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Fellowship working at Education Above All (EAA).
After welcoming the guests, Charbel Maakaron, Squire Patton Boggs' managing partner in Doha, praised Khulaifi for her commitment, hard work and professionalism and thanked the HBKU College of Law and Public Policy and EAA for their participation.
"I would like to thank Dean Clinton Francis of HBKU and Peter Klanduch and Meeran Nagi of EAA for their involvement, and of course Ambassador HE Dana Shell Smith for her patronage of this occasion," Maakaron said.
Reflecting on the advancement of legal education in Qatar, Dean Clinton Francis commented:"With our Juris Doctor programme, we set out to establish a first-of-its-kind graduate law degree for the MENA region. But alongside the best academic training there is always a need for practical experience and, especially, exposure to the best traditions of public service and the considerations of international policy work. Student lawyers gain considerably by working in that kind of environment. It is great that a new generation of talented Qatari lawyers like Asma can take advantage of the Fellowships that the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation offers."
Ambassador HE Dana Shell Smith commented on the exceptional efforts being made by numerous organisations in Qatar both to expand and develop international legal education and best practice, and to strengthen the commitment to public service in the country.
"I continue to be impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of all involved, in government, and in the private and the voluntary sectors. I would single out in particular those organisations which work tirelessly to empower women, and it is particularly pleasing to note that all three Qataris who have been recipients of the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Fellowship have been gifted women students," she said.
