Texas A&M University at Qatar graduated 87 engineers, including 33 Qataris, at its commencement ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday.

In all, 23 countries are represented in the graduating class, which comprised 38 women and 49 men.

They are spread amongst the University’s four programmes with 11 in chemical engineering, 25 in electrical engineering, 13 in mechanical engineering and 38 in petroleum engineering.

Dr Mark H Weichold, dean and CEO, TAMUQ, said: “We take pride in the quality of engineers walking across this commencement stage. Their road to this achievement has been challenging, and, through their hard work, they have earned the Texas A&M degree.

“They have completed their course of study in good academic standing. They have participated in real-life engineering projects and research.

“They have demonstrated the University’s Core Values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service in their academic and personal lives.

“As they go forward into the workplace, graduate studies or other pursuits, Qatar can count on these 87 individuals to engineer a world of difference.”

HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and TAMUQ Joint Advisory Board chairman, commented on Qatar’s need for engineering expertise.

“As the State of Qatar’s economy and industry progresses, its need for highly-trained engineers continues to grow. Graduates of Texas A&M University at Qatar are well prepared to meet the State’s current engineering challenges and lead it toward new developments and achievements.

“As chairman of Texas A&M at Qatar’s Joint Advisory Board, I am proud of the remarkable contributions and success of the University’s past graduates and look forward to seeing these 87 young engineers make their mark in the local and international field of engineering.”

Dr Karan L Watson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Texas A&M University, opened the ceremony with greetings from the University’s main campus in College Station, Texas, US.

“I am proud of the high quality of engineering graduates in Texas A&M University at Qatar’s class of 2012,” Watson said.

“They are strong representations of the excellence for which Texas A&M University is known around the world. The individuals graduating tonight have been through a rigorous engineering education, and they have earned the privilege of being known as Aggie engineers.”

Dr Nasser Mohamed Marafih, chief executive officer, Qtel Group, offered the commencement address. He challenged the graduating students to pursue their passions.

“The key to success is to pursue your passion and the things you love to do. Also, you need to accept the fact that you will have some failures along the way, but these are part of the journey to success.”

Kamal Ariss, director, The Association of Former Students, Texas A&M University, urged the graduates to continue their connection to the University after graduation.

“Today’s ceremony marks the end of one chapter of your life, but it also offers an exciting new beginning—the beginning of your life as a former student of Texas A&M,” he said.

“As you join the ranks of our former students, I urge you to do your part in upholding our noble tradition of service and support established and continued by the generations of Aggies who came before us.

“As you relish the moment of feel that incredible pride and accomplishment of a former student, know that it is now your turn to make a difference for future generations of Texas Aggies. Indeed, today is not an ending, but the continuation of a fulfilling journey and affiliation with Texas A&M.”

In the student address, Mariam al-Meer, a chemical engineering graduate, highlighted the journey of the class of 2012, its accomplishments and the graduating students’ goals for the future.

“We were led to believe from our first day here that we are the face of the future. We were not held together by our nationalities, languages or cultures. We were held together by our common goals in life.

“These goals are bigger than all of us. Even though our campus is small, and our graduating class is only 87 people, the willpower of our young minds can bring about tomorrow’s much-needed change.

“I look at the faces of my colleagues here today, and I see the future. I am proud to say that I am an engineer, and better yet, an Aggie engineer.”