From creative filmmakers and news anchors to novelists and digital content creators, Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q)'s Class of 2026 joins the school with dynamic experiences and several unique talents and interests.
"The Class of 2026 was selected from an impressive pool that was the largest in the school's history," said NU-Q dean and chief executive Marwan M Kraidy. "They have achieved the highest academic standing among their high school peers, and come with an array of extracurricular achievements and interests that will help enliven and enrich our community of evidence-based storytellers."
Entrepreneur Aisha al-Remithi is among the students from Qatar, which is represented by nearly 40 % of the new class.
She co-founded the first private business incubator in Qatar.
As an NU-Q student, al-Remithi plans to discover emerging opportunities in the media industry.
"I have always been interested in the ways the media industry changes," she said. "I came here to learn not only about emerging media industries but also how to contribute to the creative economy in my country."
Also among the students making up the school's 15th incoming class is Isra Fejzullaj, an international student from Albania who grew up in Turkiye.
"It has only been a couple of weeks since I arrived in Qatar, and I'm already helping in a student film set, applying to be part of *The Daily Q team, and meeting many people from different nationalities and cultures," said Fejzullaj, underscoring how opportunities at the NU-Q will help her grow as an aspiring media professional.
"As someone who is passionate about media and politics, I'm excited about the possibilities here to develop myself academically and professionally,” she added.
Mubashir Hanif is an aspiring filmmaker who was part of the team producing the first Pakistani film to win at the Cannes International Film Festival.
For the next four years as an undergraduate, he says the mentorship and other opportunities at the school will help him grow as a filmmaker.
"As someone who is passionate about filmmaking," said the international student, "studying at Northwestern Qatar gives me access to resources that no other place offers, and allows me to benefit from Qatar's location as a regional film hub which will help me expand my network in the industry."
Women empowerment advocate Hiba Sobaii joins the NU-Q from Morocco, where she was co-founder and president of her high school’s female empowerment association.
She plans to use the media skills she will learn as an undergraduate to empower marginalised women in the Middle East.
"I have always been interested in media and committed to women empowerment advocacy," said Sobaii. "Studying here at Northwestern Qatar allows me to combine both interests and focus on giving a voice to the women in our region."
With their fellow Class of 2026 students, al-Remithi, Fejzullaj, Hanif and Sobaii make up one of the most diverse, competitive, and dynamic cohorts in the school's history.
They hail from all over the world, including Qatar, the US, Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Rwanda, South Korea, Sudan, Taiwan, Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe. – QNA
Entrepreneur Aisha al-Remithi is among the students from Qatar, which is represented by nearly 40 % of the new class.
She co-founded the first private business incubator in Qatar.
As an NU-Q student, al-Remithi plans to discover emerging opportunities in the media industry.
"I have always been interested in the ways the media industry changes," she said. "I came here to learn not only about emerging media industries but also how to contribute to the creative economy in my country."
Also among the students making up the school's 15th incoming class is Isra Fejzullaj, an international student from Albania who grew up in Turkiye.
"It has only been a couple of weeks since I arrived in Qatar, and I'm already helping in a student film set, applying to be part of *The Daily Q team, and meeting many people from different nationalities and cultures," said Fejzullaj, underscoring how opportunities at the NU-Q will help her grow as an aspiring media professional.
"As someone who is passionate about media and politics, I'm excited about the possibilities here to develop myself academically and professionally,” she added.
Mubashir Hanif is an aspiring filmmaker who was part of the team producing the first Pakistani film to win at the Cannes International Film Festival.
For the next four years as an undergraduate, he says the mentorship and other opportunities at the school will help him grow as a filmmaker.
"As someone who is passionate about filmmaking," said the international student, "studying at Northwestern Qatar gives me access to resources that no other place offers, and allows me to benefit from Qatar's location as a regional film hub which will help me expand my network in the industry."
Women empowerment advocate Hiba Sobaii joins the NU-Q from Morocco, where she was co-founder and president of her high school’s female empowerment association.
She plans to use the media skills she will learn as an undergraduate to empower marginalised women in the Middle East.
"I have always been interested in media and committed to women empowerment advocacy," said Sobaii. "Studying here at Northwestern Qatar allows me to combine both interests and focus on giving a voice to the women in our region."
With their fellow Class of 2026 students, al-Remithi, Fejzullaj, Hanif and Sobaii make up one of the most diverse, competitive, and dynamic cohorts in the school's history.
They hail from all over the world, including Qatar, the US, Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Rwanda, South Korea, Sudan, Taiwan, Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe. – QNA
