News Article

CNA-Q celebrates 7th annual graduation


6/29/2011 3:18:53 PM


CNA Qatar 2011 grad

College of the North Atlantic-Qatar celebrated its seventh graduation ceremony on June 23 with a record number of graduates. CNA-Q’s Class of 2011 comprised 370 students, including 191 Qatari nationals and representatives from 27 other countries.

Dr. Ken MacLeod, President of CNA-Q was joined by H.E Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, President, Hamad Bin Khalifa University & Vice-President of Education, Qatar Foundation; The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; Mr. Bruce Hollett, Interim President, CNA; college executive; faculty; families and of course graduates.

“CNA-Q was launched less than 10 years ago and has already produced more than 1,300 graduates,” said H.E. Dr. Al-Thani. “They are contributing their expertise in all sectors of our economy – in business, in government and in civil society – including at Qatar Foundation. I am proud of them because CNA-Q graduates are using their excellent skills, diverse expertise and workforce adaptability to help build our future.”

Two valedictorians addressed the audience. Adam Skillern, Information Technology and. Sara Saeed Ibrahim Mohamed, Health Sciences, shared their experiences at CNA-Q over the past years.

“Others may tell you that this is the beginning of your future. But I beg to differ. For it was when you stepped through the doors of CNA-Q, that was the beginning,” said Adam. “Never rest when you are closing in on a goal for you should rest when this world has put you to rest. Improve your life and you will improve the life of the person sitting next to you. Live and prosper in life so you will not have regrets.”

“Time has gone so fast. Today we stand here in our graduation ceremony, with mixed feelings. Happiness, because we succeeded and we’re graduating tonight; sadness, because we’re saying goodbye to our friends, our instructors and the college; and curiosity because we don’t know the future and what challenges it might carry for us,” said Sara.

This year saw 370 students graduate from four program areas including, Health Sciences, Engineering, Information Technology and Business Studies. Our graduates represent programs ranging from Office Administration to Mechanical Engineering Technology, Environmental Health Technology to Computer Support Specialist.

Each department within the College was represented at this year’s ceremony. Health Sciences had 90 graduates; Engineering Technology 63; Information Technology 48; and Business Studies had the largest graduating class with 169 students.

Of the 370 graduates, 232 are sponsored students from 17 different companies. Qatar Petroleum grads total 105 with Hamad Medical Corporation following with 86 graduates. The HMC sponsored graduates are part of the largest Health Sciences graduating class at CNA-Q.

In addition to their certificates and diplomas, 24 students were presented with the President’s Medal for Academic Excellence. This award is presented to the student in each program area with the highest grade point average (with a minimum average of 3.5 out of 4.0).

The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education from Newfoundland and Labrador, brought greetings on behalf of the provincial government.

“This is an important milestone in your lives – one that will lead you to new and exciting experiences as you prepare to enter the workforce, or continue your post-secondary studies,” said Minister Burke.

“College of the North Atlantic-Qatar entered into partnership with the State of Qatar in 2001. The partnership was the result of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Misned. Their vision was to prepare for an even more prosperous future by providing the best educational opportunities for citizens of the State of Qatar.”

H.E. Dr. Al-Thani echoed Minister Burke’s words. “You, the graduates of College of the North Atlantic- Qatar, are coming of age in truly remarkable times. We are witnessing extraordinary events across our region. And your actions – as graduates and as members of society – have the potential to make a great impact on the lives of your community and of future generations.”

CNA-Q’s graduating class joins over 3,000 colleagues at College of the North Atlantic (Canada) as part of the Class of 2011. They join over 2,000 Alumni in Qatar and over 13,000 in Canada.

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Media contact:

Diane Martin, Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic-Qatar
974.4495-2035
diane.martin@cna-qatar.edu.qa

OR

Tanya Alexander
Public Relations Specialist, Qatar Project
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.0811
tanya.alexander@cna.nl.ca