Hamad Bin Khalifa University Marks Graduation of Class of 2026

Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF), celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 on Sunday in the presence of HE Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation and Chairperson of the HBKU Board of Trustees Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani.

The ceremony, held at the Qatar National Convention Center, was attended by HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim and HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani, along with a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs, ministers and senior officials, as well as college deans, staff and faculty, and graduates' families.

Comprising over 300 graduates from 36 programs, the Class of 2026 features undergraduate and graduate students from across six of the University’s colleges: the College of Islamic Studies (CIS), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), College of Science and Engineering (CSE), College of Law, College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), and College of Public Policy (CPP).

In his keynote address during the ceremony, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani said: "The State of Qatar has chosen to be at the forefront, leveraging its knowledge base and commitment to nurturing conscious, capable, and responsible individuals."

He stressed that high-quality education is the foundation upon which national strength and sustainable progress are built.

He continued: "Hamad Bin Khalifa University serves as a hub for knowledge and the development of talent capable of navigating the rapid changes in our world. The role of our graduates extends beyond their academic specialization; you are part of a comprehensive national ecosystem, contributing your knowledge to strengthening the country’s resilience, enhancing its readiness, and advancing its future vision on a strong scientific foundation.”

Reflecting on the significance of this year's graduation and contribution of the Class of 2026 to academic inquiry and innovation, President of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Dr. Ahmad M. Hasnah stated: "This moment reminds us of what can be achieved through education, and we are entrusted with this responsibility. Our graduates leave the classroom equipped not only with technical knowledge, but also intellectual and cultural awareness and a commitment to serving their communities. As they take their next steps, they do so with experience and a deep sense of their goals and how to achieve them with dedication and responsibility."

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Nayef Jassim Al Nama, a graduate of the College of Law, declared: "What we celebrate today is not the end of our journey, but rather its beginning. Our homeland Qatar’s progress has never been accidental, but a result of clear vision and investment in people. We have been raised to understand that knowledge is not a luxury, but the foundation of progress and the pillar of the future."

The ceremony also featured the annual Hamad Bin Khalifa University Excellence Awards, celebrating outstanding faculty achievements from the past academic year. HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani and Dr. Ahmad M. Hasnah presented awards across three categories: the Service Excellence Award was given to Dr. Dena Ahmed Al-Thani, Associate Professor, College of Science and Engineering; the Teaching Excellence Award was received by Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud Abdallah, Professor and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Quality Assurance, College of Science and Engineering; the Research Excellence Award was given to Dr. Muhammad Imran, Principal Scientist, Qatar Computing Research Institute.

The Class of 2026 reaffirms Hamad Bin Khalifa University's role as a national research university and catalyst for knowledge creation and application, with graduates contributing to innovation across sectors including health, technology and sustainability, while working with partners across government, industry and academia to strengthen Qatar's position as a global hub for research and innovation.

(QNA)