Stenden University of Applied Sciences-Qatar held its 17th graduation ceremony, at City Center Rotana Doha Hotel recently, celebrating the achievements of 44 graduates.
The ceremony was held under the patronage and in the presence of HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani as well as many distinguished guests, parents of graduating student and alumni.
“Today you gain the fruit of the efforts you have exerted for several years, and you offer your parents the fruits of their care and upbringing. Stenden University is honoured to present you as soldiers for society, armed with knowledge and virtue as a fruit of your teachers’ efforts and those of university staff,” said Sheikh Faisal told the audience.
Dr Bahia Tahzib-Lie, the ambassador of the Netherlands was keynote speaker for this year’s graduation.
“It is an absolute pleasure and honour to be here to celebrate the academic achievements of 44 fresh graduates of Stenden University Qatar.
This is an amazing accomplishment. I’m proud that you chose to pursue your studies at a Dutch university in Qatar. Stenden University Qatar stands out as it is the only provider of hospitality and tourism education in Qatar. I’m delighted that many of you also studied for one year in the Netherlands. I hope you’ll always treasure your special connection with Stenden and the Netherlands,” noted ambassador Tahzib-Lie.
“We are very proud of you and we hope you will be a life-long ambassador of Stenden University Qatar. As our graduate, our success will add value to your degree but also the other way around; your success will add value to our university of applied sciences. We are confident that your talent and professionalism will make you successful. You are now ready to join over 800 alumni of Stenden University Qatar, to make a difference here in Qatar, or anywhere else in the world,” said Klaas Wybo van der Hoek — vice president of the Executive Board, NHL Stenden.
Dr Ivan Ninov, executive dean, Stenden Qatar, said: “We are gathered together to celebrate your academic success. What is really unique and special about your degree is that you have not only become a specialist in one of these three areas, but you have also managed to master subjects like finance, accounting, marketing, human resource management, research, statistics, strategy and foreign languages. The broad-based nature of your degree has prepared you and given you the freedom to work and become successful in a number of industries.”
Sheila Martim, the valedictorian of the ceremony, said: “Tonight we celebrate four years of awesome friendships and precious memories. The Stenden family gave us an opportunity to build friendships and we made memories along the way, some of which will live beyond time and space. We learnt to grow together, watch out for one another, lifted each other up and above all cheered each other to the finish line. We became a team that celebrates strength in diversity. We will all miss the corridor smiles and cheers,”
Stenden University graduates with HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani and other guests and faculty.
